President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit, discussed the state and prospects for the development of the Turkmen-Uzbek dialogue across the entire spectrum of areas during a meeting on Thursday, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

 The meeting took place at the Oguzkhan Presidential Palace Complex.

 Shavkat Mirziyoyev, personally expressing condolences on death of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's father, wished the leader of Turkmenistan and his family members patience and fortitude in this difficult time.

 Speaking out for further building up cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also noted the importance of intensifying contacts in the humanitarian sphere.  Along with this, the parties exchanged views on a number of topical issues of the regional and international agenda of mutual interest.

 Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed his commitment to expanding relations between the two neighboring countries, based on the principles of mutual respect and trust, as well as the commonality of historical, cultural and spiritual values.

 The Presidents noted that, despite the difficult period of the pandemic, a positive dynamic in the development of Uzbek-Turkmen relations at all levels was ensured. In particular, in recent years, trade had more than tripled, reaching $530 million by the end of 2020. More than 150 joint ventures had been created, the press service of the head of Uzbekistan said.

 They expressed their readiness to further promote the Ashgabat agreement on the creation of an international transport and transit corridor, as well as to ensure the efficient loading of the multimodal route China – Central Asia – South Caucasus – Turkey and continue interaction on the development of transport and logistics infrastructure.

 During the meeting, it was decided to hold in the near future in Tashkent the next meeting of the Uzbek-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.

 The Uzbek leader expressed special gratitude to the head of Turkmenistan for his initiative to create the Tashkent park in Ashgabat, which will become another vivid symbol of fraternal relations between the two countries.

 At the end of the meeting, the joint motorcade of the Presidents headed to the main mosque of the country, located in Kipchak. The leaders of the two countries honored the memory of the first President of Turkmenistan.

 Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave a sadaka-agzachar, there Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part.

 At the end of the ceremony, the head of Uzbekistan left for his homeland.