The talks between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

October 15, 2022, the state visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Kazakhstan has taken place and within its framework, the high-level bilateral talks, which became an important step towards further development of interstate relations based on a firm foundation of friendship, brotherhood, good neighbourhood and principles of equal mutually beneficial cooperation, took place in Astana.

As we have informed, on the day before the President of Turkmenistan arrived in the capital of the neighbouring country, where he took part in the meeting of the Council of heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as in the Summit “Central Asia-Russia”. It has become the next confirmation of the active and initiative position of our country in issues of expansion of constructive partnership in the CIS space and multilateral cooperation in the regional and interregional formats, which meet goals of universal well-being.

It should be also noted that on October 14, members of the government delegation of Turkmenistan held meetings and talks with their Kazakh colleagues in Astana and the agenda of those events included priority issues of bilateral interaction in different spheres.

Today, before the start of high-level talks, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid a wreath at the Monument to Defenders of the Fatherland installed in one of the picturesque places of Astana.

In the morning, the head of Turkmenistan headed towards the Square of Defenders of the Fatherland where the memorial complex is located.

In the solemn atmosphere, the head of Turkmenistan lays flowers to the pedestal of the Monument, paying an honour to national heroes of Kazakhstan. One minute’s silence is observed.

Upon completion of the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is invited to get familiarized with the history of creation and compositional peculiarities of the Monument, which is one of the main sights of Astana. The territory of the memorial complex is also decorated with parks and fountains.

Then, the President of Turkmenistan headed towards the Akorda Palace of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. There, the high guest was warmly welcomed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The head of Turkmenistan meets members of the official delegation of Kazakhstan. Then, the Kazakh leader is introduced to members of the governmental delegation of our country.

Presidents Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pass to the special podium. The commander of the company of the guards of honor reports solemnly. National hymns of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan play. Leaders of both countries pass by the line of the guard of honor.

After the official joint photographing ceremony on the background of national flags of the two countries, in the Akorda Palace the high level Turkmen-Kazakh talks were held.

Addressing to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out that he was very happy to see him in Astana. As the Kazakh leader underlined, this visit of the head of Turkmenistan has a great historical significance without any exaggeration, for further development of bilateral cooperation.

For Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, Turkmenistan is a brotherly country. We have common borders, history and we are connected with common culture and humanitarian links and of course, economic interest.

Having marked that the activity of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the high state post also facilitates rapprochement of two neighbouring countries, the head of Kazakhstan, availing of the given opportunity, wished his Turkmen colleague great successes in his all work for the befit of the brotherly Turkmen people.

Having thanked President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for the invitation to visit the Republic of Kazakhstan and the warm welcome, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that it was his first state visit to the neighbouring friendly country. Having underlined that the present high-level meeting is considered as an important stage of the event in development of bilateral relations in Turkmenistan, the head of Turkmenistan conveyed to the Kazakh leader warm words of greeting on behalf of Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also pointed out that on October 5 of the current year, 30 years have become since the establishment of diplomatic relations between two our countries. All these years Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation has developed successfully in a wide range of areas, the head of Turkmenistan said and congratulated President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on this jubilee date.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Turkmenistan at any time convenient for him. The invitation was accepted with acknowledgment. Diplomatic channels will agree the term of the visit.

Further, during the talks, which were held in the trusted and business-like atmosphere, heads of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation and outlined its priority areas taking into account potential modern realities of long-term future.

The sides also exchanged opinions on topical issues of regional and international agenda, which evoke mutual interest.

Further, the talks continued with participation of full delegations, members of official delegations of the both countries.

Having once again welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov as well as members of the Turkmen delegation on the Kazakh land, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev again underlined a historical significance of the present visit of the head of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Having marked that the most topical issues and the future of development of bilateral cooperation had been just discussed in a narrow format, the leader of the friendly country stated with satisfaction the unchangeable brotherly character of the interstate dialogue.

A high-level active and trusted political dialogue has been established between the two countries. In this connection, having pointed out that he remembers with warmth his visit to Turkmenistan in October of the past year, the head of Kazakhstan thanked for the accorded hospitality and creation of all necessary conditions for joint work that served achievement of serious successes. Having underlined fruitfulness and richness of high-level talks held in Ashgabat in 2021, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, availing of the given opportunity, conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to Arkadag Gurbanguly Malikguliyevich Berdimuhamedov.

Having touched upon issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the Kazakh leader noted that today the future of development of the volume of goods turnover where there is a great potential, through joint efforts, was discussed.

Having stated with satisfaction the progressive dynamics of development of bilateral cultural and humanitarian links, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also touched on the topic of interstate partnership in the Caspian Sea. In this regard, the success of the Ashgabat Sixth Caspian Summit was underlined from the viewpoint of its results and hospitality of the Turkmen side and high organizational level of the forum. Speaking of it, the head of Kazakhstan once again thanked his Turkmen colleague and gave the floor to him.

Having thanked President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on behalf of the delegation of Turkmenistan for the accorded warm welcome and creation of wonderful conditions for joint work, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again congratulated his Kazakh colleague with the jubilee date marked this year, the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries. As the head of Turkmenistan underlined, all these years Turkmen -Kazakh cooperation has been successfully developed in a wide range of areas.

– My first state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan we consider as the most important stage of the event in relations between our countries. Its main goal is to strengthen bilateral strategic partnership in all areas, to outline areas of interstate interaction in the Central Asian region and in the international arena taking into account new realities and tendencies of development, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

The head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Kazakh political dialogue, content and direction of trade and economic partnership should bear a complex character and be based on the agreed strategy and close coordination of our activities and their commitment, first of all, to long-term interests of two peoples and states.

- I think, we have all grounds for practical realization of these goals. Today, the relations between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are at high level, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued his speech, having noted that thanks to mutual efforts new mechanisms of trade and economic cooperation have been developed and humanitarian links are expanded steadily. The level of the Turkmen-Kazakh dialogue, trust, sincerity and openness enable to discuss constructively all issues and make mutually acceptable decisions.

The head of the state underlined that Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan act as like-minded countries and responsible partners in development of their approaches to the most topical issues of regional and global development. Mechanism of coordination of positions in the United Nations and mutual support of proposals and initiatives made by our countries have been established. We with acknowledgment mark the support of Kazakhstan to the UN resolutions on issues of energy security and cooperation in the sphere of sustainable transport, important topics of regional significance initiated by Turkmenistan and unchanged respectful position in relation to the neutrality status of our country, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

The head of Turkmenistan marked the ensuring of peace and security in Central Asia as an unconditional priority of cooperation between two countries. Kazakhstan is also our neighbouring country on the Caspian Sea. In this connection, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov made an emphasis on the results of the Sixth Caspian Summit held in Ashgabat, where important agreements on continuation of development of complex cooperation in the Caspian Sea were reached and decision for further efforts to turn it into the zone of peace, good neighbourhood and mutually beneficial partnership was confirmed. In this regard, the readiness of Turkmenistan to work with Kazakhstan for achievement of these goals was confirmed.

Bilateral and multilateral interaction in the economic sphere, including in the issues of the Aral problem will also continue.

As the head of Turkmenistan further marked, the Republic of Kazakhstan is a large economic partner of our country. We highly appreciate the reached level of fruitful cooperation in different sectors and gained experience of interaction in governmental and sectoral areas. As a strategic area of Turkmen-Kazakh partnership act energy, where the existing potential give an opportunity for our countries, which are large producers and suppliers of hydrocarbon resources, to realize large scale and unique projects for export of energy carriers to international markets. Construction of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, which passes through the territory of Kazakhstan, can serve a bright example for it.

Interaction in the transport sphere also plays a key role in successful economic development of two countries and their integration into the global network of systems. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted. Here, one of the concrete results of efficient cooperation is construction of the railway line Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran. In this aspect, it was pointed out that Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation in the transport sector today should become one of the driving forces of development of Central Asia and neighbouring regions and an important factor of economic integration and partnership by the lines of North-South and East-West. The favourable geographical location of two countries displays necessity of development of cooperation in development of new multimodal transit and transport corridors of regional and continental significance.

Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan can act as initiators of task-oriented work in this direction. The Ashgabat Summit of Caspian states showed a great interest of participants in development of this sector of cooperation.

Having marked expediency to carry out a close joint analysis of the general state of trade and economic relations, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that our countries today are capable of significantly increasing the indices of goods turnover and diversifying mutual supplies. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have a strong industrial and agricultural basis and modern transport infrastructure. These factors should be fully used for expansion of trade, including border and regional trade and attraction of investment. One should take up large projects in industrial cooperation, services sphere and agro-industrial sector. In this regard, the joint intergovernmental commission should act more actively.

Having touched upon the cultural and humanitarian links as one of the inseparable part of the interstate dialogue, the head of Turkmenistan underlined that our peoples are connected not only with the geographical neighbourhood, but also with truly brotherhood relations, commonness of historical fates. At the modern stage, these conceptions assume the new content becoming an important factor of Turkmen -Kazakh cooperation, mutual understating, friendship and sympathy between our peoples. Speaking of it, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed satisfaction with development of bilateral humanitarian links that find their reflection in regular participation of representatives of creative intelligentsia of both countries in different events.

In this connection, the head of the state proposed to consider the issue of organization of Days of culture of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2023. The expediency of renewal of readiness to work on the issue of installation of monuments to outstanding poets and philosophers of Turkmen and Kazakh peoples –Magtymguly Fragi and Abay Kunanbayev, relatively in Astana and Ashgabat.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined, the multifaceted dialogue between our countries is built on the firm foundation of good neighbourhood, mutual respect, openness, and trusted partnership, a solid package of standard legal basis has been developed and regular contacts are maintained to enable arising issues quickly in the constructive way.

The Turkmen –Kazakh relations are based on deep historical roots, commonness of culture and traditions. At the same time, there is mutual understanding of realities of the modern world where creation of efficient economy, modern infrastructure, technological basis and innovations serve as a pledge of successful development of the state. In their interaction, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan namely go on this path.

The close bilateral interaction and active cooperation on the international arena, implementation of joint infrastructure projects in transport and energy, all this serves achievements of our countries, their weighty contribution to the global stability and sustainability of regional processes, progress and wellbeing of two peoples and states, the head of Turkmenistan said.

In this connection, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted especially a great contribution of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to development of bilateral brotherly relations and expressed his sincere acknowledgment to his Kazakh colleague to this end.

Upon completion of the talks with participation of delegations of both countries, the ceremony of signing of bilateral documents took place.

In presence of heads of states the following documents are signed: Memorandum of mutual understanding on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of International Commerce of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of cooperation between the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of mutual understanding between “Türkmenhimiýa” State Concern and Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan on cooperation in chemical industry; Memorandum of development of transport-transit cooperation between the Transport and Communications Agency of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Transport and Communications Agency of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan on development and exploitation of the space for peaceful purposes; Memorandum of cooperation in the quarantine of plants between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of cooperation in tourism between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the Complex Program of cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2022-2024; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Foreign Policy Research Institute under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

To the applauds of the presence, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sign the Joint Statement.

Upon completion of the ceremony of signing of documents, leaders of two countries addressed representatives of mass media.

Speaking before representatives of mass media, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted that he considers the first state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan as a bright evidence of adherence to further rapprochement of two countries.

As the Kazakh leader marked, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov leads the country in an uneasy and responsible period of global development. In this complicated time namely to him the historical mission has been entrusted to overcome all challenges of modernity and to ensure wellbeing of Turkmen people. In this connection, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev expressed confidence that firm endeavours and steady actions of the head of Turkmenistan will enable to realize successfully marked reforms and continue sustainable development of the state.

The head of the Republic of Kazakhstan highly appreciated results of the talks during which the strategic character of bilateral relations was again confirmed and mutual strive for further rapprochement of brotherly peoples was expressed and priorities of steady strengthening of multilateral cooperation were outlined. The special attention was attached to trade and economic partnership.

- Our goal is to ensure in the near future the growth of mutual trade as high as five hundred million dollars and in the foreseeable future we can bring the mark to a billion, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

It was also noted that the future of mutually beneficial partnership in gas industry was also considered seriously. At that, it was underlined that past year they could reach important agreements on realization of joint projects in the given sphere. Having noted that profile companies of two countries “QazaqGaz” and “Türkmengaz” signed the contract on import of Turkmen gas, the head of Kazahstan expressed his gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his personal support in promotion of the project.

- We are interested in conclusion of a long-term agreement and ready to raise the volume of import of gas as much as one and a half billion cubic meters a year, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated. At that, readiness of Kazakhstan for participation in realization of large energy initiatives of Turkmenistan was confirmed.

As the Kazakh leader further pointed out, another mutually beneficial area cooperation at the talks was designated agriculture. The plans for construction of the grain terminal at the Turkmen-Afghan border become a separate topic for discussion.

It was informed that the great attention was attached to cooperation in the transport-transit sphere during the high-level meetings. The sides agreed to take joint measures to fully use the Kazakhstan –Turkmenistan –Iran railway line.

Along with it, issues of deepening of cooperation between seaports of Aktau, Kyrk and Turkmenbashi were discussed as area, which is an important part of transport-logistics interaction between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Here are more opportunities for construction of the new motor road of Turkmenbashi-Garabogaz–border of Kazakhstan.

Of course, the great attention was attached to development of cultural and humanitarian relations. In the given context, it was marked that Turkmen national cultural associations and center function in Kazakhstan. Having stood for the proposal of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on holding Days of culture of both countries, the head of the friendly state confirmed readiness of Kazakhstan to receive workers of culture from Turkmenistan in Astana and other cities of the country in the nearest time.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev informed that Governments of two countries would work on renewal of regular air flights between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As the head of Kazakhstan underlined, the sides again confirmed their common view, closeness of their positions on topical issues of regional and international agenda.

In conclusion, having expressed his satisfaction with results of the talks, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev once again thanked his Turkmen colleague for his decision to make the state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Having expressed confidence that this visit will make a great contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations of friendship, good neighbourhood and strategic partnership, the head of Kazakhstan assured that from the Kazakh side all efforts would be made for achievement of marked targets and ensuring of wellbeing of our brotherly countries by development of interstate cooperation.

Having commented on results of high-level meetings, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov first of all, expressed his gratitude to the Kazakh leader for hospitality and warm welcome, constructive talks, which were held in the atmosphere of openness, mutual understanding and trust.

As the head of Turkmenistan noted, this is his first state visit to Kazakhstan and such high status speaks of mutual understanding of importance of cooperation and readiness to strengthen strategic Turkmen –Kazakh partnership.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined, the meeting with the President of Kazakhstan fully confirmed presence good will, decisiveness and readiness of heads of two countries to development of interaction in all areas as well as existing great opportunities for it.

We will continue coordination of our efforts in such most important areas of global agenda as sustainable development and its components: energy security, development of international transport transit ways, ecology and protection of environment, the head of Turkmenistan said.

In the sphere of stable energy, it first of all concerns participation of two countries in realization of large-scale energy projects. First of all, they include the Turkmenistan –China gas pipeline which functions for many years now. Our country, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed, is ready for expansion and diversification of Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation in supply of energy carriers to international markets.

In the transport sphere interaction will be made with a view of creation of a strong and modern infrastructure to ensure connection of transport systems of Central Asia and access of our countries to European and Asian main lines. In particular, the head of the state noted, Turkmenistan is ready for joint work with Kazakhstan to create the corridor of North-South to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf along the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.

The sides will coordinate efforts to develop the strategic zone of transport transit and logistics partnership by lines of East-West, Asia-Europe and work with potential partners on regional and world platforms, in specialized international organizations and financial institutions. The joint action on the Caspian Sea in the light of agreements made at the Sixth Caspian Summit of Caspian states in Ashgabat in July of the current year will continue, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined.

Along with these, the head of Turkmenistan noted that a special place was given to ecology during the talks, in particular, to further strengthening and improvement of activity of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

At discussion of the course of economic cooperation measures for expansion and diversification of mutual trade, including border and regional trade, intensification of investment policy for access to joint large-scale projects in industrial cooperation, services sphere and agricultural sector were considered. In this regard, a great significance is given for development of business links between business circles of two countries.

Addressing the mass media, the head of Turkmenistan marked that during the talks the importance of bilateral contacts in the cultural and humanitarian sphere was confirmed and agreement on continuation of cooperation in this area ensuring all necessary conditions for events in both countries on a regular basis with participation of workers of culture, literature, cinematography, musical groups and organization of sports competitions was reached.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined, for Turkmenistan the Republic of Kazakhstan is a brotherly country, a good neighbour and reliable strategic partner. The both sides share the understanding and confidence that close multilateral cooperation will serve the benefit of our peoples and meet their basic interests, facilitate stability and development of regional and international processes.

Having expressed a deep satisfaction with the results of today’s talks, by the outcome of which a solid package of documents was signed, the head of Turkmenistan expressed to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and members of the delegation of Kazahstan his sincere gratitude for the great work carried out.

As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov informed, he invited the Kazakh leader to visit Turkmenistan at any time convenient for him.

In conclusion, the head of Turkmenistan conveyed his sincere wishes of peace, wellbeing and prosperity to the people of Kazakhstan.

In honour of the high Turkmen guest, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan gave an official diner, at which heads of two countries exchanged speeches.

Within the framework of the program of his visit in the second half of the day, the head of Turkmenistan visited the Astana International Financial Centre. There, the high guest was warmly welcomed by heads of AIFC.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is invited to be familiarized with the infrastructure of the centre and its activity, the priority goal of which is development of well-balanced market of capital with a wide range of financial services and investment tools.

In the sales area of the Exchange of AIFC a shot video film of the Astana international financial centre, its activities and advanced practice and technologies used in its work was presented to the attention of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The high guest was also familiarized with the specification of activity of the Exchange.

Further, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the central mosque of Astana city. This new spiritual abode was opened in August of the current year.

There at the central entrance, the President of Turkmenistan was warmly welcomed by the maim imam of the mosque who invited the high guest to get himself familiarized with the new spiritual complex, its facilities and peculiarities of its architecture and decoration.

In this regard, it is appropriate to note that in the state policy of Turkmenistan the special attention is attached to careful preservation of high spiritual and moral values of our glorious ancestors, their humane principles. In our country, all conditions are created to help religious persons who annually make a hajj scared for every Muslim.

It is generally known that in the Islamic world, first centres of science and education, spiritual life of society were located in mosques. Religious sites built and commissioned in the modern epoch in the capital and regions of the fatherland embody in their architecture best traditions of national architecture and decor. Similarly, they are called to serve the strengthening of civil accord in society, successiveness of wise traditions and unique customs of our people developed in the course of centuries.

Then, the head of Turkmenistan headed towards the international airport named after Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana city where at flagpoles of two countries were raised high and the guard of honour was lined up.

In the air hub President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev warmly welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The head of the Republic of Kazahstan arrived there to see off the high guest personally and it displays visually the strategic character of interstate relations.

Having completed his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the head of Turkmenistan got aboard his airline by which he left for his fatherland.

Having made a flight to Ashgabat, the presidential airline landed at the international airport of the capital where President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was welcomed by official persons.