The first state visit by Serdar Berdimuhamedov in his capacity as the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Kazakhstan was viewed in both capitals as a great milestone in the interstate relations. The priorities of the meeting of the two leaders included strengthening partnership in politics, economics and the humanitarian sphere; setting clear objectives for interstate interaction in Central Asia and international arena in general, taking into account new realities and development trends; comparing positions in the context of regional and continental geo-economics and its energy and transport segments in particular, the role of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in these segments. It is this comprehensive nature of Turkmen-Kazakh relations that underpins the legal concept of strategic partnership between the two countries.
There is now every reason for the practical implementation of these tasks. Relations between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are on the rise. Thanks to the efforts of both sides, specific and effective steps have been taken to strengthen relations in foreign policy, new mechanisms for trade and economic cooperation have been launched, and humanitarian contacts are consistently expanding.
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan act as like-minded and responsible partners in developing their approaches to the most pressing issues of regional and global development. Mechanisms have been established to coordinate positions at the United Nations and for mutual support of proposals and initiatives put forward by both countries.
Kazakhstan consistently supports Turkmenistan’s draft resolutions at the UN on energy security and cooperation in the field of sustainable transport, on important regional issues. The respectful position of Kazakhstan regarding the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan remains unchanged. In turn, Turkmenistan just as firmly and consistently supports Kazakhstan at various international platforms and Kazakhstan’s nominations to the UN elective bodies.
Cooperation is making headway through regional organizations such as the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization for Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States. Ensuring lasting peace, security and development in Central Asia is an unconditional priority of partnership. The mechanism of consultative meetings of the Central Asian states at the highest level created several years ago proved an effective and fruitful format, ensuring a timely and effective exchange of views on the current situation in the region and reaching common decisions.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of such interaction when the region is facing a number of challenges and threats, including attempts to destabilize the domestic political situation, manifestations of terrorism, extremism, radicalism, unscrupulous use of information technology and the imposition of morality alien to the Central Asian peoples, false values from outside. In this regard, the positions of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are close and understandable. Both countries are determined to counter these phenomena, work together to ensure peace and tranquillity in Central Asia, protect state and public institutions and the legitimate rights of citizens to life and security.
The Afghan problem traditionally occupies an important place at the talks. The sides emphasized the importance of continued efforts to stabilize the situation in this country, create conditions for the achievement of national consensus through a peaceful dialogue, promote international efforts to combat terrorism and drug trafficking and provide economic and humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
The positions of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in the key area such as disarmament are fundamental and constructive. Both states are parties to the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia, the first such agreement in the Northern Hemisphere and an essential element in maintaining continental peace and security. Ashgabat and Astana will continue to promote disarmament processes in the region on the basis of an unwavering commitment to the non-proliferation regime and strict adherence to all provisions of the treaty.
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are neighbours in the Caspian Sea. Important agreements were reached on the continuation of development of comprehensive cooperation in the Caspian Sea at the Sixth Summit of the Caspian States in Ashgabat this June. In Astana, the leaders confirmed their determination to make further efforts to turn the Caspian into a zone of peace, good neighbourliness and mutually beneficial partnership. The sides will continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation on regional environmental issues, saving the Aral Sea, combating desertification.
Energy is the strategic area of partnership. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are among the largest producers and suppliers of hydrocarbons in Eurasia. A powerful resource and industrial base, transit opportunities allow both countries to implement large-scale, in many respects unique projects on delivery of energy carriers to international markets. The sides will continue working to link the capacities of the two countries in the context of diversification of energy flows.
Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in the transport sector plays a key role in the successful economic development of both countries, their integration into the system of global relations. Construction of a railway line along the Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan – Iran route was one of its striking results. According to the two leaders, Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation in the transport segment should become one of the drivers of development of Central Asia and neighboring regions, the most important factor in successful economic integration and partnership in North-South and East-West directions. The advantageous geographical position at the junction of continental Eurasian routes objectively calls for the further build-up of cooperation in transport projects, participation in construction of new transport and transit corridors of regional and continental significance.
And this is not just about land routes. Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have every opportunity to intensify cooperation, develop and expand maritime communications in the Caspian Sea with access to Iran and further to the Persian Gulf and terminals in the Indian Ocean. The Turkmen side invites Kazakhstan to act together as initiators of systematic and targeted work in this direction and consider this direction in development of strategic partnership plans.
During the talks, the side discussed in detail the state of trade and economic relations and the dynamics of trade turnover. It was noted that Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan can significantly increase trade turnover, diversify mutual supply of goods. An agreement was reached to conduct groundwork for development of large-scale projects in industrial cooperation, in the service and agricultural sectors.
Cultural and humanitarian contacts have always occupied a special place in relations between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. The countries are connected not just by geographical proximity, but also by truly fraternal relations and common history. These concepts take on a new meaning at the current stage, becoming the most important factor in interstate cooperation, mutual understanding, friendship and sympathy between peoples.
The talks demonstrated that the strategic dialogue between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan is built on a solid foundation of good neighbourliness, mutual respect, openness and trusting partnership. An impressive set of bilateral documents was signed on the outcomes of the talks.
Speaking at the final press conference, the heads of state highly rated the visit, emphasizing that the close multifaceted cooperation between the two states benefits the peoples of Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, meets their fundamental interests, contributes to stability and development of regional and international processes.