The seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent was marked by a milestone event – the accession of the Republic of Azerbaijan to this format as a full fledged participant.
The decision was far from spontaneous. As is known, at the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held last August in the national tourist zone “Awaza,” Turkmenistan proposed that Azerbaijan should fully join the activities of the consultative meetings and thus become an important, integral and welcome participant in this format, further strengthening its ties and comprehensive integration with the Central Asian states. The initiative received unanimous support from all participants, which was formalized in an official document.
Undoubtedly, this decision is symbolic and carries far reaching positive implications. In essence, it signifies the transformation of Central Asia and Azerbaijan into a single geopolitical and geoeconomic space, thereby creating a powerful union of six states founded on brotherhood, good neighbourliness, equality and cooperation, as well as a clear understanding of their historical destinies in their indivisibility and interconnectedness.
It is equally evident that the decision is entirely natural, objectively reflecting the historical trajectory of development of the Central Asian states and Azerbaijan, their pressing needs and their genuine interests. For many centuries, the peoples of Central Asia and Azerbaijan have been united by geographical proximity, a shared civilizational root, closeness of cultures, tradition and social and spiritual values. Thus, there emerged a unique archetype of relations that crystallized and strengthened, standing today, in the era of independence, as a natural and integral element of current and future continental processes in politics, economics and the spiritual and humanitarian spheres, shaping the further course of civilizational development in Eurasia.
It is Central Asia and Azerbaijan that are destined to serve as a key link in transport flows between Europe and Asia, without which the creation of a balanced, successful and sustainable architecture of energy security is inconceivable. Together, they are to build a foundational logistical base for partnership between the two continents – a partnership that is, without exaggeration, of global significance and value. Azerbaijan’s participation in this endeavour is now reinforced by an additional solid political and legal foundation.
As practice has proven, the format of consultative meetings serves as a tangible factor of peace, harmony, good neighbourliness and mutually beneficial partnership for all its participants. It is noteworthy that Turkmenistan stood at the origins of creating this form of dialogue and cooperation. The initiative to establish consultative meetings was proposed by Ashgabat and received full support several years ago.
Subsequent meetings were held according to an agreed schedule. In a trusting and open atmosphere, the sides discussed the most important issues of intra regional cooperation and the international agenda, achieving significant decisions and agreements.
Addressing the participants of the seventh meeting, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of continuing close political and diplomatic interaction at the regional level, as well as through international platforms, primarily the UN. Clearly, this provides the Central Asian states with an additional strong reserve of internal stability and favourable external conditions.
Economic cooperation is a traditional priority of discussion at the consultative meetings. Among the strategic areas, Turkmenistan emphasizes transport, logistics, energy, trade, industrial and technological cooperation.
The head of the Turkmen state stressed that today the role of Central Asia as a key transport transit and logistical hub of international significance is objectively increasing. It is already evident that this role will continue to grow, considering the trends of shifting economic and investment activities toward South and East Asia, the Asia Pacific region, and the Near and Middle East.
In these conditions, according to Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Central Asian countries must significantly intensify the transport component of cooperation. To this end, they should begin effective and substantive participation in the establishment of combined corridors “East – West” and “North – South.” Within this large project, the Caspian segment stands out. It is designed to transform the Caspian basin into an efficient bridge of continental and interregional economic partnership along both the horizontal and vertical geographic axes. The Caspian is destined to become a reliable outlet for the Central Asian states and neighbouring landlocked countries to the World Ocean. Turkmenistan is ready to provide its port capacities to achieve this objective.
Ashgabat focuses on further work to build communication and logistical infrastructure aimed at achieving greater connectivity within the Central Asian space, as well as access to neighbouring states.
Turkmenistan is also ready to discuss further concrete steps to strengthen energy partnerships. This concerns not only pipeline projects. The importance of expanding the electric power segment is growing – forming a powerful network of electricity production, supply and consumption in the region and around it. This will create a reliable material foundation for the stability of the entire power supply system, protection from possible negative external factors, fluctuations in global energy markets and so on. Neighbouring countries could engage more actively in this work, including through joint planning within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Turkmenistan is also guided by the need to keep pace with the times in terms of innovation cooperation. A strong impetus must be given to the creation of technological clusters with the participation of regional states and specialized government structures, actively involving private companies, stimulating innovative ideas and initiatives from the scientific community, startups and business projects in high technology and artificial intelligence.
Among the urgent tasks, the President of Turkmenistan named strengthening cooperation on the use of water resources in the region based on equality, respect for each other’s interests, fraternal mutual understanding and solidarity and increasing joint efforts on environmental issues, primarily such sensitive topics as saving the Aral Sea and combating desertification.
The development and support of humanitarian cooperation will always remain relevant and significant. The great culture, richest and unique historical heritage and common civilizational roots provide a strong foundation of brotherhood and unity among the Central Asian peoples, ensuring successful development in all spheres and implementation of the most ambitious joint plans and initiatives.
In Tashkent, Turkmenistan assumed the chairmanship of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia for the upcoming period. In this regard, Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that he would make every effort to strengthen unity and cohesion, enhance economic partnership, increase the region’s attractiveness for major foreign investments, and implement large scale international projects in energy, transport, communications and other spheres.
Turkmenistan will actively contribute to further strengthening the international role and reputation of Central Asia as a space of peace, stability and mutual understanding. The eighth meeting of the leaders will take place in Ashgabat. From now on, this format will officially be called “The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.”