In the national tourism zone “Avaza” a trilateral meeting was held between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. During the conversation, with special emphasis, the issue of turning the spirit of good-neighborliness and practical cooperation into a priority value was raised.
Issues of developing multifaceted cooperation in the trade-economic, transport-communication, energy and humanitarian spheres were considered. Within the framework of the updated agenda, ways were discussed to promptly implement joint projects, improve the investment climate, and create equal conditions for business.
At the beginning of his speech, the head of our state once again sincerely congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the successful holding at the beginning of August of the UN Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. Also, as an important step from the point of view of regional stability, the President of Uzbekistan heartily congratulated the leader of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the recent signing in the city of Washington of a peace declaration with Armenia.
The head of our state put forward a number of specific proposals to expand multifaceted cooperation. The importance of fully employing the huge transit potential of the three states was noted, and mechanisms were proposed that serve to shorten logistics chains, reduce costs and save time.
Confidence was expressed that the connection of existing and prospective corridors will make it possible to form a stable and efficient transcontinental route connecting China, through the territories of our countries, with South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It was noted that at present the construction of the China–Uzbekistan railway has begun, and that a memorandum on the project to build the Trans-Afghan corridor was recently signed with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It was emphasized that the new cargo flows should, first of all, ensure the effective use of the infrastructure of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Plans for developing the Middle Route, including the Zangezur corridor, were also supported, and it was stated that these initiatives will serve to shorten transit times.
It was proposed to jointly begin working out the most important issues at the expert level. This includes expanding throughput capacity, creating modern logistics infrastructure at the Turkmenbashi and Baku ports, conducting an agreed tariff policy, digitalizing procedures and ensuring cargo control.
Uzbekistan’s readiness was stated to reduce cargo transportation tariffs on a mutual basis in order to ensure the shortest and most advantageous access for business to key markets. In addition, it was noted that combining efforts will make it possible to establish pragmatic cooperation with donor states and international organizations that can participate in the development of logistics infrastructure.
At the same time, Uzbekistan’s interest was expressed in creating its own ferry capacities for transporting cargo across the Caspian Sea. It was stated that this step will serve to increase the stability of the route, ensure uninterrupted movement of consolidated cargo, and reduce queues at ports.
In order to ensure energy security, the necessity was noted of deepening cooperation and developing routes for exporting energy resources to third countries. It was emphasized that the project to organize deliveries of “green” energy to Europe is promising, and an increase in joint capacities regarding renewable sources was proposed.
In the field of traditional hydrocarbons it was proposed to study prospects for cooperation in carrying out geological exploration work on the Caspian shelf and in developing deposits. The importance of complying with environmental standards and using advanced technologies was noted.
Another priority direction was noted as a radical increase in trade turnover and the scale of industrial cooperation. It was emphasized that in recent years the volume of mutual trade of Uzbekistan with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan has doubled, and the share of industrial products in the structure of trade turnover has reached 40 percent.
It was proposed to jointly prepare a comprehensive plan of actions providing for the development of stable trade-logistics chains, the organization of wholesale-distribution centers and access to large retail networks, the unification of phytosanitary and quarantine requirements, the introduction of digital labeling of products, the launch of joint electronic platforms and the expansion of cooperation between commodity-raw material exchanges.
It was proposed to actively involve the territories of the three countries in these processes by holding exhibition-fair events and business meetings under the auspices of the chambers of commerce and industry. The idea was voiced to establish exchanges of business delegations and to develop joint acceleration programs for startups and innovation projects.
Within the framework of expanding humanitarian ties, it was proposed to adopt a trilateral program of tourism and cultural exchanges that will make it possible to increase the flow of tourists from our countries and from third states, and to demonstrate the commonality of the rich cultural heritage of our peoples and the closeness of traditions and customs. Projects in education, sports and youth exchanges were also viewed as a component part of the joint program.
In conclusion, the head of our state proposed preparing a “road map” for the implementation of the advanced initiatives and the agreements reached, as well as launching a mechanism for joint meetings of ministers in the main directions. The parties supported these proposals, expressing the desire to begin the plan of practical actions in the near term.
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