The recent Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended as a guest of honour at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, demonstrated once again to the world community how high the authority of neutral Turkmenistan is.
The fateful decisions that will have a sobering effect on the ongoing events around the world threatening global stability and security were adopted at the Summit that was held in ancient Samarkand, fanned by epoch-making historic events which had a huge impact not only on regional, but also on global social, political, scientific, cultural, civilizational and geopolitical processes, where the great minds of mankind, outstanding statesmen and commanders lived and worked, where every inch of land keeps many unrevealed secrets, where the spirit of greatness hovers. An analyst and political observer Vadim Shagiahmedov commented on the visit of the Turkmen leader to Samarkand and the outcomes of the Summit.
A few days after the Summit in Samarkand, having analysed once again the meetings, discussions and decisions taken in the Uzbek land, we are even more convinced of the timeliness and relevance of this event in the light of the conflicts blazing in different parts of the world – on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and in other places, not to mention Ukraine, floods in Pakistan.
Certainly, the status of neutrality and commitment of Turkmenistan to resolving emerging conflicts through peaceful ways, by political and diplomatic means play a critical role in searching solutions to all these problems. It is not by chance that the leaders of the two superpowers – China and Russia, the host of the Summit – the President of Uzbekistan and the SCO Secretary-General met with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. It was a brilliant political debut of the young Turkmen leader at the authoritative forum, representing half of the world’s population.
“As is known, the People’s Republic of China is a major and reliable partner of our country. Dozens of Chinese companies take an active part in implementing ambitious social and economic development programmes, developing hydrocarbon deposits and modernising fuel and energy infrastructure. The largest amount of Turkmen natural gas is exported to this friendly country. The old name of China –Chyn-Machyn is often mentioned in the works of Turkmen art – epics, destans and songs and the works by great Magtymguly. Current friendly and trusting relations are a logical continuation of the ties in those distant times,” the interlocutor emphasised.
The leader of the second largest economy with the world’s largest population – China was one of the first to meet with the President of Turkmenistan, who put forward a number of proposals designed to expand bilateral relations to speed up negotiations on the construction of the fourth line of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, hold the next meeting of the joint working group on gas cooperation, instruct the foreign ministries of the two countries to develop a Roadmap for the intensification of high-level contacts and boost intergovernmental and inter-parliamentary contacts. The Turkmen side is ready to consider signing a bilateral document to align the One Belt One Road strategy and the concept of Revival of the Great Silk Road. Other proposals dealt with transport and logistics. The Chinese leader supported all the proposals of his Turkmen counterpart.
During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin President Serdar Berdimuhamedov put forward the proposals which were welcomed. The Russian leader expressed belief that all mutual initiatives and plans, including those in the humanitarian sphere, would be implemented. In this regard, the interlocutors noted that the opening of a Turkmen-Russian University in Ashgabat was currently under consideration.
“During the meetings with the Turkmen leader, the interlocutors invariably emphasised the great contribution of Chairman of Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to multifaceted interstate cooperation and expressed gratitude and an intention to meet with him again. This vividly testifies to their full support for ongoing democratic reforms in Turkmenistan,” the expert said.
At present, the parties are working towards implementing the agreements reached during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Moscow on June 10.
Focusing on economic relations, in which power industry plays a special role, President Vladimir Putin noted the effective long-term operation of the major companies of the Russian Federation – Gazprom and Tatneft in Turkmenistan.
Thanking Serdar Berdimuhamedov for creating favourable working conditions for the Russian partners, the leader of the friendly country confirmed that Russia aimed to diversify trade and economic cooperation with Turkmenistan that actively cooperates with many subjects of the Russian Federation.
Thanking his Turkmen counterpart for the attitude to the Russian language and Russian culture, which is a crucial aspect facilitating fruitful partnerships in all areas, Putin expressed belief that all mutual initiatives and plans in the humanitarian sphere would be implemented.
“In his speech at the Summit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed that Turkmenistan was ready to cooperate with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, provide its platform for negotiations and forums as a neutral state, promote the implementation of all constructive initiatives and proposals put forward by the SCO and intended to submit the proposals to the UN General Assembly for the declaration of 2025 the Year of Peace and Trust and a draft resolution on the role of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, founded by four SCO Member States, among others.
The outcomes of the Summit vividly illustrated the role of Turkmenistan in coordinating international relations and the relevance of its initiatives.
