The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation during which they discussed increasing the volume of Turkmen natural gas supplies to Uzbekistan, reports TDH.

As noted, relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan are characterized by openness, a high level of mutual trust, and understanding. In this regard, it was stated that cooperation is successfully carried out not only in a bilateral format but also within international structures.

During the conversation, the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral partnership in trade, economic, and fuel-energy sectors were discussed.

As is known, for several years, Turkmenistan, based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, equal partnership, and mutual support, has been supplying natural gas to the Republic of Uzbekistan. In this regard, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and the head of the neighboring brotherly state noted the high efficiency of joint work in the gas sector, indicating its long-term nature, and agreed to increase the volume of Turkmen natural gas supplies to Uzbekistan. The great prospects for the implementation of joint gas projects planned for the near future were also emphasized.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev thoroughly discussed issues of bilateral cooperation in the water management sector. The National Leader of the Turkmen people expressed Turkmenistan's position on solving water issues in Central Asia. In particular, it was noted that water issues in the region should be resolved, firstly, based on generally recognized norms of international law, secondly, taking into account the interests of all countries in the region based on international principles of free and fair access to water, and thirdly, water issues should be considered with the broad participation of international organizations, primarily the UN.

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan expressed strong support for such approaches and confirmed that the positions of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on water issues fully coincide, noting Uzbekistan's readiness for further close cooperation with the Turkmen side on water issues, both on a bilateral basis and within international structures. During the telephone conversation, it was noted that mutual cooperation is actively developing in the cultural and humanitarian sphere.

The progress of previously reached agreements and joint promising projects were also discussed.