President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov delivered press statements on June 22.

The President of Azerbaijan made the statement first.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Dear Serdar Gurbangulyevich, distinguished guests, dear friends. I am glad to once again welcome our dear guest, the President of Turkmenistan, on his state visit.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to Mr. President for accepting my invitation and visiting Azerbaijan. I am confident that this visit will serve to further strengthen the friendly and brotherly relations between our countries.

Today, negotiations were held both in expanded format and in a one-on-one meeting. Many issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed, and further ways to develop our partnership were outlined.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to Turkmenistan and my dear brother Arkadag, Gurbanguly Malikgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov, for the assistance in the restoration of Garabagh. In July last year, during his visit, he put forward the initiative to build a mosque in the city of Fuzuli, and construction has already begun. This is yet another testimony to the sincere and friendly attitude of Turkmenistan, its National Leader, and the entire brotherly people of Turkmenistan toward Azerbaijan.

I am also grateful to Serdar Gurbangulyevich for our cooperation. As I already mentioned, today we held a detailed exchange of views on many issues. Specific instructions were given. I am confident that by the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, which will be held next month in Turkmenistan, these instructions will have been thoroughly worked out, and we will proceed with the implementation of new joint tasks and projects.

Our relations are built on a solid foundation of historical ties, cultural connections, and moral values. We regularly host performances by performing arts groups and ensembles. Just recently, early this month, the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan were held in both Ashgabat and Arkadag. Last year, cultural figures from Turkmenistan visited us for the Days of Culture in Baku and Ganja.

I should also note that Baku and Ashgabat are twin cities, just as Arkadag and Fuzuli are. All of this reflects the closeness of our ties. We are committed to giving our cooperation tangible substance and to further deepening our engagement.

I would like to once again express my gratitude to the Turkmen side for their active support for Azerbaijan’s accession as a full member of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. I regard this development as historic. Although we are not geographically part of Central Asia, our cultural and historical ties, as well as the practical issues we are addressing today regarding regional connectivity and transport-logistics cooperation, naturally create the prerequisites for considering the broader Central Asian region as a single geopolitical and geo-economic space. Of course, from the very first day, we have actively participated in this multilateral format.

Today, much was also said about transport and logistics. Cooperation in this area between our countries is already long-term — I would even say strategic — not only for us and our neighbors, but also for a much wider region. There are not many reliable and secure transport routes in the world today that connect cooperating countries. Therefore, this is a great achievement. In this context, transport and logistics projects cannot be considered in isolation from political engagement.

Without political cooperation, no geographical conditions alone would have allowed us to combine our efforts. We have agreed to deepen coordination in the transport and logistics sphere in order to increase cargo flows — which are already growing as a result of our joint efforts — and to attract cargo from third countries. Therefore, this area will remain one of the priority directions of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Of course, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan are two countries with vast mineral and energy resources. In this regard, we are focused on combining our efforts in cooperation.

I would also like to congratulate the brotherly Turkmen people and its leadership on their significant achievements in socio-economic development. Over many years, I have visited Turkmenistan on numerous occasions and have witnessed the progressive development of our brotherly country — how cities are becoming more beautiful and infrastructure, including tourism infrastructure, is being created. All this reflects the wisdom of the leadership and the fact that national interests are the top priority. As your friends and brothers, we always rejoice in your successes, including on the international arena, and we have always supported and will continue to support Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality, which has already gained broad international recognition and support.

Once again, dear Mr. President, I welcome you and ask you to convey my warmest wishes to my dear brother Arkadag and to the entire brotherly people of Turkmenistan.

x x x

Making a press statement, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again expressed his gratitude to the head of state for the warm welcome, hospitality, and excellent conditions created for joint work, noting that the current state and prospects of bilateral relations were discussed during the one-on-one and expanded meetings.

Noting that the current level of bilateral cooperation was highly appreciated, the Turkmen President emphasized with satisfaction that relations between the two countries are developing dynamically and progressively based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.

" We reaffirmed our readiness to continue active cooperation between the two countries within major international and regional organizations. We will also continue close interaction between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of the pentalateral cooperation in the Caspian Sea," said Serdar Berdimuhamedov, adding that trade and economic cooperation was also discussed in detail. Noting that energy, transport, the chemical and textile industries, and a number of other sectors were identified as priority areas, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized that an agreement was reached to cooperate closely in creating transport and transit corridors along the East–West route through the territories of both countries.

Stating that special attention was paid to the development of cultural and humanitarian ties, Serdar Berdimuhamedov said that during the meetings, both countries confirmed their readiness to continue and expand contacts between cultural figures, as well as to hold annual Days of Culture.

"Our delegation highly appreciates the results of today's meeting. Following the talks, a substantial package of important bilateral documents was signed. Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan will develop across all major areas. This serves the long-term interests of our countries and peoples," Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized.

Particularly highlighting the great personal contribution of the President of Azerbaijan to the strengthening of bilateral ties, the Turkmen head of state expressed his gratitude for this.

Also extending his thanks for the gift of the “Dostlug” oil tanker, Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that they view it as a symbol of the brotherly relations between the two countries and expressed his confidence that this tanker will contribute to the prosperity of both nations and stand as yet another testament to successful cooperation between them.

The President of Turkmenistan stated that his country attaches great importance to the further development of cooperation with Azerbaijan, stressing that both countries and peoples are linked by centuries-old traditions of good-neighborliness, a common history, culture, language, and moral values.

"In conclusion, I would like to note that the Republic of Azerbaijan is confidently moving along the path of progress and prosperity," said Serdar Berdimuhamedov, wishing the brotherly Azerbaijani people peace, well-being, and continued prosperity.