On September 17, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov left for a working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the second meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, held in Astana.
Successfully implementing the peacekeeping foreign policy strategy launched by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero Arkadag and worthily continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, neutral Turkmenistan invariably demonstrates its commitment to constructive international dialogue that contributes to solving important problems of global development and building trust-based cooperation in the common interests.
The participation of the Turkmen side in the current high-level meeting "Central Asia-Germany", the agenda of which covers a wide range of topical issues of our time, has become another confirmation of this.
As is known, the beginning of close cooperation in this format was laid by the first Summit of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Germany in the "5+1" format held in Berlin in September 2023, where five Central Asian countries expressed their readiness to establish a strategic partnership with the Federal Republic of Germany in the interests of peace and sustainable development.
The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who took part in that historic meeting and stood at the origins of the Turkmen-German cooperation, emphasized that Turkmenistan welcomes the initiative to create a new multilateral format and is ready to expand cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.
As is known, today Germany is one of the main economic partners of Turkmenistan in Europe, as clearly evidenced by the established fruitful contacts with the largest German companies, business meetings and business forums held on a regular basis, the effective activities of the Joint Turkmen-German Working Group, etc.
World-famous companies from Germany, among the first to begin to develop the promising Turkmen market, have been making a significant contribution to strengthening the Turkmen economy for many years through the implementation of joint projects in various fields.
However, healthcare has been and remains the flagship of interstate cooperation. It was Hero-Arkadag, who oversaw this socially significant area for many years, who laid the foundations for a long-term successful Turkmen-German partnership built on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
As part of the implementation of the multi-aspect State Program "Saglyk", Turkmenistan has built state-of-the-art scientific and clinical centers and medical and preventive institutions equipped with the latest technology, a significant part of the advanced equipment of which was produced in Germany - a country that is rightfully the world leader in this area.
The Turkmen-German Forum on Healthcare is also successfully operating, close cooperation has been established with German partners in such important areas as the pharmaceutical industry, training of scientific personnel and highly qualified specialists, telemedicine, thanks to which new opportunities have been opened for studying advanced methods and exchanging experience with leading world experts in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
In general, all these years, the interstate dialogue has been actively developing and covering new areas, which is largely served by high-level meetings held both on a bilateral and multilateral basis, including in the "Central Asia-Germany" format.
There is no doubt that the next, already the second meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia with the Federal Chancellor of Germany will give a new powerful impetus to strengthening the traditional political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian ties between Germany and the countries of the region, will determine specific steps to deepen partnership in the most promising areas, and will also contribute to the consolidation of efforts to ensure peace, stability and universal security.
At the Ashgabat International Airport, the head of state was seen off by officials.
Having flown to the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Astana, the presidential airliner landed at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, where the national flags of the countries participating in the Central Asia-Germany Summit were raised on the flagpoles.
At the steps of the plane, the distinguished guest was warmly and cordially welcomed by the Prime Minister of the friendly neighboring state Olzhas Bektenov and other officials, as well as members of the government delegation of our country.
The Guard of Honor lined up on both sides of the carpet.
According to the established good tradition of hospitality, the head of Turkmenistan was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
From the airport, the motorcade of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed to the venue of the high-level meeting – the Palace of Independence.
In the foyer of the Palace, the head of the Turkmen state was warmly welcomed by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
After the traditional ceremony of joint photography against the backdrop of the national flags of the countries participating in the Central Asia-Germany meeting, the heads of delegations were invited to the meeting room.
The Summit, chaired by the head of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was also attended by Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Having welcomed the distinguished guests, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed gratitude for their participation and support for regional cooperation. It was emphasized that the regular and trusting nature of the dialogue at the highest level is regarded as evidence of the interest and desire of the Central Asian states and Germany to comprehensively develop a regional strategic partnership.
- Our meeting is intended not only to summarize the results of our joint work, but also to outline new ways to further deepen cooperation. I am confident that constructive discussions will lead to specific decisions that will benefit all our countries, - said the Kazakh leader, giving the floor to Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and the heads of state of Central Asia.
Addressing the audience, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, first of all, expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for hospitality and excellent working conditions.
- Today's meeting is an indicative event, testifying to the understanding by all participants of the importance of developing relations, readiness to provide them with comprehensive state support, and the desire to bring together strong partnership mechanisms, - said the head of state, expressing confidence that the results of the current Summit will mark a new important stage in strengthening our ties and achieving mutual understanding, reaching specific agreements.
Characterizing the overall course and content of relations between the Central Asian states and Germany, especially in recent years, as consistent and constructive, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that experience and traditions of cooperation have been accumulated, mutually beneficial partnerships have been established primarily at the bilateral level in the area of business, and intergovernmental channels of interaction are operating in a number of areas.
As was emphasized, among the most important tasks of joint work, Turkmenistan particularly highlights the achievement and maintenance of regional peace, security and stability.
“We believe that in the current conditions, closer political and diplomatic interaction between the Central Asian countries and Germany can have a noticeable constructive impact on the overall situation in the region and adjacent areas,” President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, pointing to the need to involve the efforts of the world community in this, primarily represented by the United Nations, based on the common intentions of the leadership of our countries to see Central Asia as a peaceful, calm, economically attractive region, a space of stability and predictability.
- For Turkmenistan as a neutral peace-loving state, this approach is of fundamental importance. And we are ready to provide comprehensive assistance in achieving this goal, including in the current format, - said the head of state, pointing out the advisability in this regard of strengthening diplomatic contacts between the Central Asian states and Germany, placing special emphasis on such topics as the fight against international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and cross-border crime.
- We believe it is reasonable and useful to jointly define algorithms for work in these areas and in the international format, primarily with the UN and its relevant bodies, - the head of state emphasized.
Among the key issues of peace and security in the region, the President of Turkmenistan named the situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing that our assessment of the situation in this country is based on the fact that today the Afghan people have a chance and real opportunities to overcome a difficult multi-year period and move to creative, nationwide activities to restore state institutions, the economy and the social sphere, achieve and establish peace, harmony, and unity.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov identified the economy as a priority for cooperation between the Central Asian states and the Federal Republic of Germany, which is called upon to become the driving force of our relations, to ensure strong and sustainable positions of German business in the countries of the region on the one hand, and on the other hand, the fastest and most effective integration of Central Asia into global economic and investment processes, including through relations with German companies.
– It is obvious that economic, trade and investment cooperation in our format meets the interests of all its participants and has good prospects for development and expansion, – the head of the Turkmen state emphasized, highlighting transport and logistics, communications, energy, industrial production, the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, medicine and pharmaceuticals, the agro-industrial complex, and developments in the field of information technology among the key areas of partnership.
Speaking about the enormous prospects for economic cooperation between the Central Asian region and Germany, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized that the favorable geographical location of the region connecting Asia and Europe, its vast and diverse natural resources, serious demographic potential, together with Germany’s industrial and technological level, experience and established partnerships in the field of international business open up great opportunities for our countries to work together.
As noted, among the unconditional priorities of cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, issues related to ecology and climate change occupy a special place. Here, Turkmenistan highly appreciates the position of the German Government, its commitment to cooperation with the countries of our region, and its active and proactive role in promoting relevant projects and programs.
In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the high-level conference "Green Central Asia" held in Berlin in 2020, where an interested discussion took place and joint steps were outlined.
The head of Turkmenistan proposed to intensify the dialogue on "green" topics, single it out as a separate area of activity of our format and begin to develop specific plans for interaction for the near future.
It was noted that humanitarian cooperation and human contacts have always had a fruitful effect on interstate relations. According to the President of Turkmenistan, today they are especially in demand and meet the needs and interests of the people of our countries, promoting rapprochement and mutual sympathy between our peoples. Therefore, this area should also receive all the necessary state support.
In this context, the importance of developing and encouraging youth cooperation between Central Asia and the Federal Republic of Germany, developing plans and programs for joint events on a wide range of topics was noted.
In conclusion of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again expressed gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for the excellent organization of today's meeting, confirming Turkmenistan's readiness for the closest cooperation within this format.
During the open, constructive dialogue that took place, the meeting participants highly appreciated the achieved level of relations between the Central Asian countries and Germany, especially noting the demand for a multilateral dialogue that fully meets the interests of common well-being and progress.
The parties noted the importance of making joint efforts to preserve and strengthen in every possible way the centuries-old bonds of friendship, good neighborliness, strategic partnership and alliance, expressing confidence that the agreements reached today will further strengthen the foundation of multifaceted cooperation built between the Central Asian states and the Federal Republic of Germany on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
Then, the heads of Central Asian states and the Federal Chancellor of Germany held a business meeting with the heads of leading German companies, during which they exchanged views on the possibilities of expanding traditional partnerships in joint projects in such promising areas as green energy, processing and chemical industries, logistics and transport, healthcare, agriculture, high technology, etc.
The effective work of the Eastern Committee of German Economy, which invariably serves as an important link between Germany, one of the world leaders in economic and technological innovation, and the countries of Central Asia, a dynamically developing region with enormous growth potential and broad opportunities for multifaceted cooperation, was particularly noted.
During his stay in Astana, the President of Turkmenistan held meetings with the head of the German Government and with the heads of well-known German companies.
After completing his working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed to the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, from where he departed for his homeland.
Two and a half hours later, the presidential plane landed at the International Airport of the Turkmen capital, where the head of state was met by officials.
