President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov arrived in Ashgabat December 13 on a two-day official visit by the invitation of Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.

Official welcoming ceremony of the head of Uzbekistan was held at the palace of the President of Turkmenistan. State anthems of the two countries were played. The leaders of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan observed the guard of honor.

At the talks tet-a-tet, the presidents noted that relations between the two countries have been on a steady development course. They expressed confidence that the visit would boost the bilateral cooperation based on mutual trust, respect and interest.

The heads of state discussed the current state and prospects for fruitful interaction between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. They also exchanged views on contemporary issues of regional and international politics, including aspects of political, economic and humanitarian cooperation in the name of providing for regional security and stability.

Uzbek-Turkmen bilateral relations are premised on the Interstate Treaty on Advancing the Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation signed in 2007.

The presidents continued talks at negotiations of official delegations of the two countries.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are among the world’s leading producers and exporters of natural gas. The new Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline, successfully launched Monday in the presence of presidents of these four states, is an example of efficient bilateral cooperation.

The negotiations produced a number of bilateral documents aimed at expanding the interactions in various areas.

Islam Karimov and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed sincere confidence that the agreements reached would have a tremendous contribution to the further promotion of bilateral cooperation.

As part of the visit, the Uzbek President laid flowers to Turkmenistan’s Monument of Independence.

Islam Karimov also held talks with Hu Jintao, Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, who is in Ashgabat on a working visit. The parties discussed issues of expanding the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China as well as other topics of mutual interest.

Official visit of President Karimov to Turkmenistan concluded on 14 December.