ASHGABAT (TCA) — In the framework of the High Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028 which started in the Tajik capital Dushanbe on June 20, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a meeting with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported.
The Turkmen leader underlined the importance of the forum in consolidating the peoples in the world as well as developing the bilateral and multilateral relations between the countries.
The leaders of the two states exchanged their views on a wide spectrum of the Turkmen-Tajik cooperation, discussing the opportunities of its diversification. They underlined the interest in enhancing cooperation in the transport sphere and the implementation of the Asian railway corridor.
According to President Berdymuhamedov, the railway that revives the Great Silk Road is to serve the interests of the two friendly states and peoples as well as the goals of development of the regional and international cooperation.
The leaders also underlined the importance of the International Seaport in the city of Turkmenbashi that was recently put into operation in Turkmenistan. The seaport will not only expand the transit and transport potential of Turkmenistan, but will also open up new opportunities for the landlocked countries in the region.
Speaking during the water conference in Dushanbe, President Berdymuhamedov said that the development of the states in Central Asia region directly depends on the access to water resources and their efficient management.
“Therefore, equal rights, respect, responsibility should stand as the fundamental, determining criteria for the relations between the countries in Central Asia on water use,” Berdymuhamedov said.
“Turkmenistan has always stated that water issues in our region should be resolved: first of all, based on the generally recognized norms of international law; secondly, taking into account the interests of each of the Central Asian states; thirdly, with the active participation of international organizations, primarily the UN.
“This is our principled position, and, relying on it, we will continue working on the establishment of effective negotiating mechanisms between the Central Asian countries with the aim to develop the coordinated solutions,” the Turkmen leader said.
