I welcoming remarks

Finally, the establishment of direct contacts and the
creation of mechanisms for cooperation among law
enforcement agencies which will allow the exchange of their
experience and its application in the field of combating the
challenges and threats to which our countries are exposed,
countering the penetration of alien ideologies, neutralizing the
recruitment of citizens in the ranks of international terrorist
groups.
We are confident that the solution of these priorities will
create a solid foundation for a long-term perspective for the
development of the Tajik-Uzbek partnership.

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Speech by Shiri Shiriev, Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Uzbekistan
Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the
Republic of Uzbekistan were established on February 7, 1993.
During the years of independence, agreements were
reached between the two countries on a wide range of issues of
bilateral cooperation which determine the nature of good-
neighborly interstate relations, and are regulated by a solid
juridical base.
Strengthening 
good-neighborly 
relations 
between
Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan is of strategic
importance, as indicated by regular meetings between the heads
of two fraternal states. In particular, as you know, on 6-7 March
this year, the first state visit took place, and a little later in May -
the working visit of the respected President of the Republic of
Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Turkmenistan during
which meetings were conducted at the highest level.
The results of these meetings gave a powerful and
qualitative impetus to the Turkmen-Uzbek interaction, laid new
constructive foundations for our relations in all areas for a long-
term, strategic perspective.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov
noted that "friendship, good neighborliness, close trade, economic
and humanitarian cooperation, mutual understanding on foreign
policy issues not only meet the fundamental interests of the
peoples of our countries, but also serve as key factors for
maintaining stability and security in Central Asia and outside."
Due to objective circumstances, the strengthening of
regional security is acquiring special significance in the
Turkmen-Uzbek cooperation. I would like to note in this regard
the invariability and consistency of our countries' approaches to
this issue. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan firmly support the
creation of strong and effective mechanisms that would secure

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59
the peaceful and stable development of Central Asia, the
avoidance of conflict situations, the strengthening of good-
neighborliness, and the observance and consideration of mutual
interests.
We are ready to continue to closely cooperate both in
bilateral and multilateral formats with the aim of effectively
countering international terrorism, the spread of extremist
ideology, criminal groups that engage in drug trafficking and
other illegal activities.