Turkmenistan
is a strategic partner and a brotherly nation for Kazakhstan. President
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized this during a
meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar
Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in Astana on a state visit. Following an official welcoming
ceremony, the two leaders held talks in both narrow
and expanded formats, discussing key areas of bilateral cooperation, including
trade, the economy, as well as transport and
logistics. Trade
turnover between the two countries continues to grow. Over the past five years,
trade volumes have increased fourfold, and Kazakh investments
in Turkmenistan’s economy have exceeded $120 million.
«Thanks to our joint efforts, trade turnover between
our countries has consistently exceeded half a billion dollars. This year’s
figures are also encouraging. The esteemed President of Turkmenistan and I
agreed to take the necessary steps to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion.
To this end, Kazakhstan has proposed adopting a Work Plan to boost trade
turnover. To support entrepreneurs in both countries, a decision has been made
to establish trade houses on a reciprocal basis. We also agreed to consider
launching direct commercial flights between the cities of the two countries,» Tokayev said.
Agriculture is an important area of cooperation
between the two countries. Kazakhstan intends to increase wheat supplies to the
Turkmen market, as well as expand exports of vegetable oils, pasta products,
and meat and dairy goods. The Heads of State agreed to continue cooperation in
gas processing and the development of gas transportation infrastructure.
Tokayev also highlighted the prospects for expanding collaboration in the transit and transport sector. A special role
here is played by the Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan–Iran railway, which serves as an
important link in the North–South transport corridor.
«In the first ten months of this year, transport volumes reached 1.5 million tonnes, a 14% increase. Measures are being taken to optimize tariffs and
simplify administrative procedures. Border infrastructure is being actively
developed, and the checkpoint is being modernized. The task of linking the road infrastructure along
the Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakhstan border route is gradually being
addressed. The parties agreed to fully utilize the transport and logistics
capacities of the Caspian ports of Aktau, Kuryk, and Turkmenbashi to boost
container transportation,» Tokayev added.
The Heads of State also addressed the prospects for
digitalization. Kazakhstan proposed developing joint projects in public
services and implementing IT
technologies. Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are strategic partners in Central
Asia.
«Measures to expand and diversify mutual trade were
reviewed, along with ways to intensify investment policies to implement large
joint industrial projects. In this context, we attach great importance to
strengthening business ties between business communities of our countries,» Berdimuhamedov noted.
Following the talks, a Joint Statement of the Heads of State was signed, alongside 11 agreements and memorandums. These documents cover cooperation in the legal and transport sectors, as well as in agriculture, healthcare, science, culture, and the media.
Tokayev awarded Berdimuhamedov Kazakhstan’s highest state honor, the Order of Altyn Qyran. He underscored Ashgabat’s status as a center of
diplomacy, peace, and stability, and also highlighted Berdimuhamedov’s personal
contribution to strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and strategic
partnership between the two countries.
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