Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has announced that a draft agenda has been prepared for the inaugural Central Asia–Azerbaijan summit, saying the new six-party format will strengthen regional cooperation and bring the participating countries closer together.
Speaking at the informal Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, Berdimuhamedov said the new cooperation format would provide fresh momentum for regional interaction, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.
"I am sincerely pleased to welcome the esteemed President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Heydarovich, to this meeting," he noted.
The Turkmen president recalled that at last year's Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in Tashkent, a unanimous decision was taken to grant Azerbaijan full participation in the format.
"Allow me once again to congratulate you, Mr Ilham Heydarovich, and, through you, Azerbaijan," Berdimuhamedov added.
He also announced that a draft agenda has been prepared for the first Central Asia–Azerbaijan Summit, scheduled for October 8.
"We have prepared and circulated to the participating states a draft agenda comprising five key areas. These include an exchange of views on pressing regional and international issues related to peace, stability and security; strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation between the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan; expanding cooperation in energy and sustainable transport and logistics corridors; joint measures to protect the environment, adapt to climate change, ensure the rational use of water resources and coordinate efforts to restore the Aral Sea; as well as developing cultural, educational and scientific ties and expanding student and youth exchanges," Berdimuhamedov remarked.
By Bakhtiyar Abbasov
