Today, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in an online meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

According to the State News Agency of Turkmenistan, a number of topical issues related to the development of cooperation within the framework of the CIS in various directions, as well as drafts of a number of documents were brought up on the agenda of the summit. In this context, the results of joint activities in the past year were summed up, priorities for the coming period were outlined.

Today's meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State, chaired by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, also attented by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Natalia Gavrilitsa, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon , President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev.

As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted in his speech, joint events within the CIS this year, one way or another, are held under the sign of the great anniversary of the Commonwealth - the 30th anniversary of its foundation. Of course, this date gives a special meaning to all our work today, demanding that it be weighed against the experience accumulated over the past time and, at the same time, with the prospects of the CIS for the coming years.

In this regard, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized that, despite the known difficulties, the activities of the Commonwealth are carried out consistently, in accordance with the statutory provisions and pre-approved schedules and plans.

Continuing the topic, the leader of the nation outlined the primary task for the coming years to build up economic interaction, to use the aggregate industrial, resource and technological potential of the CIS in order to achieve sustainable positions in global processes. The adopted Strategy for the Economic Development of the CIS until 2030 clearly defines the areas of cooperation.

- Today the task is to fill this document with real content, concrete deeds. Among the priorities in the Strategy are such areas as transport, fuel and energy complex, communications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovation and technology, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

- These are the sectors in which we can successfully compete in international markets, offer potential partners favorable conditions,” the head of Turkmenistan stated, stressing the importance of promoting economic vectors and interests of the Commonwealth beyond its geographical limits, integrating neighboring countries and neighboring regions into our projects. First of all, this concerns the creation of transport and transit infrastructure, the optimization and expansion of energy supplies, the laying of new communication lines and communications.

In this context, the leader of the nation noted that the decisive factor for successful cooperation in the above areas is the active participation of the Commonwealth countries in the formation of sustainable transport and transit corridors along the North-South and East-West lines.

At various international forums with the participation of the CIS states, at the previous summits of the Commonwealth, Turkmenistan put forward a number of important initiatives to form transport and logistics hubs in the region of Central Asia and the Caspian basin with access to the European vector of the CIS. They found understanding and support from all the countries of the Commonwealth, and today it is necessary to give these plans the proper impetus and specificity.

As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted further, in April 2022, Turkmenistan is planning to hold an International Conference of Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries. For most of the CIS states, this is a actual topic. The Turkmen side counts on participation in the upcoming forum of colleagues from the Commonwealth and a thorough practical discussion of the prospects for cooperation.

Among the most important areas of interaction, Turkmenistan singles out joint protection of the existing architecture of global security, upholding the norms of international law and the UN Charter. In this regard, the leader of the nation emphasized the particular relevance of this task, on the solution of which the course of future processes in the world depends, the degree of risk of conflict situations.

- In these conditions, the CIS countries, using their political and diplomatic capabilities, are called upon to act from a consolidated and principled position in the UN and other authoritative international and regional structures. It is necessary to return to world politics respect for law, the culture of dialogue, trust and predictability in relations between states, the head of Turkmenistan said.

As you know, this year has been declared by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Peace and Confidence. Being the initiator of this decision, our country has carried out a great international work in order to strengthen the culture of peace and respectful dialogue, to eliminate the deficit of trust in interstate relations that has arisen at the present stage. Concluding the events within the framework of this Year, Turkmenistan plans to convene in Ashgabat the International Conference "Politics of Peace and Trust - the Basis of International Security, Stability and Development", President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, inviting the CIS countries to take part in this event.

There are also good prospects for interaction between the Commonwealth states on a number of other topics on the international agenda. These are such urgent tasks as ensuring global and regional security, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In these areas, it seems expedient to strengthen the coordination of actions in the UN and at specialized international forums, the head of Turkmenistan noted.

In view of the current conditions, one of the topical areas of joint activities of the Commonwealth countries is countering the coronavirus pandemic and minimizing its socio-economic consequences. In this context, the leader of the nation spoke about the need to establish more effective cooperation mechanisms between the CIS states through scientific diplomacy, medical communities, to develop common approaches and methods.

In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov drew attention to the initiatives of Turkmenistan announced at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. Their main content is the creation of new multilateral mechanisms aimed at studying the nature of the origin of the new type of coronaviruses, studying the forms of manifestation of diseases caused by them, developing and introducing new forms of treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Speaking about this, the head of Turkmenistan called on the CIS partners to support the proposals of our country and take part in their promotion at the UN platform.

Emphasizing that the cultural and humanitarian sphere remains a strong and reliable bond of the states and peoples of the Commonwealth, the leader of the nation noted with satisfaction that a lot has been done and is being done in this direction, cooperation is developing consistently, covering new areas. Most importantly, it enjoys the full support of the people of our countries. Turkmenistan is firmly committed to maintaining and consolidating established ties, enriching them with new forms.

Addressing the participants of the Summit, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan is fully prepared to continue close cooperation within the CIS.

- Today the Commonwealth is proving its viability, ability to responsibly cope with challenges and threats, and serves as an important instrument of interstate dialogue. We see this as a key condition for further joint work, the Turkmen leader noted.

Concluding his speech, the head of Turkmenistan wished success to the Republic of Kazakhstan in the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States next year, and also addressed words of gratitude to the head of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev for the effective coordination of joint work and contribution to the successful holding of this meeting.

During the summit, an interested exchange of views took place on the priority areas of partnership. Organizational issues were also considered.

The CIS Executive Committee was invited to analyze the important initiatives voiced at the summit aimed at improving interaction within the CIS and develop specific measures for their practical implementation.

As a result of the summit, a number of decisions were made to deepen cooperation in humanitarian, migration and other areas of interaction.

The Turkmen side signed the Decisions of the Council of CIS Heads of State “On the Chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2022”; “On the Statement of the Heads of the CIS Member States in Connection with the 30th Anniversary of the CIS”; "On the Statement of the Heads of the CIS Member States on Cooperation in the Field of Biological Safety"; "On declaring the city of Comrat (Republic of Moldova) the Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth in 2023".