Kazakh and Turkmen Presidents Forge Cooperative Goals
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed satisfaction with the results of their recent bilateral talks in Ashgabat on Oct. 10. During the talks, important agreements were reached, including the Declaration on Strengthening Friendship and Deepening Multifaceted Strategic Partnership between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The two presidents also adopted a Comprehensive Program until 2027, agreeing to focus on increasing trade between the two countries. In fact, trade between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan grew by 28% last year, exceeding half a billion dollars. Both sides are looking to expand the range of goods supplied and create favorable conditions for the development of mutual trade, with the goal of increasing bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion in the near future.
In addition to trade, the presidents discussed the prospects of creating joint ventures in key sectors of the economy, particularly in the energy sector. Kazakhstan is interested in participating in projects to develop gas condensate fields in Turkmenistan and expanding pipeline infrastructure. Both countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the gas industry, showing their commitment to enhancing energy cooperation.
Furthermore, the presidents addressed the increase in rail traffic between the two countries, reaching nearly 1.5 million tons in 2023. They also discussed the construction of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Afghanistan railway route and the possibility of resuming regular air traffic between the two nations.
Cultural and humanitarian ties were also a focal point of the talks, with both presidents expressing interest in deepening cooperation in education. The opening of branches of Kazakh universities in Turkmenistan was also discussed as a way to strengthen educational ties between the two countries.
Overall, the talks were described as constructive and substantive, highlighting the strong and growing relationship between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in various areas such as politics, economics, and culture. The presidents emphasized their commitment to further enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding between their nations.
