PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV ON HIS 63D ANNIVERSARY

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation.

The Turkmen leader cordially congratulated his Uzbek colleague on his 63rd anniversary - the age of the Prophet Muhammad.

Underlining the importance of this significant date in the life of every Muslim, deeply revered in Islam, the President of Turkmenistan wished Shavkat Mirziyoyev good health, happiness, as well as new successes in all undertakings and aspirations for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan.

Highly evaluating the achieved level of interstate relations, the parties emphasized the mutual commitment to strategic cooperation, the development and comprehensive enhancement of which meets the fundamental interests of the fraternal peoples, since ancient times linked by bonds of inviolable friendship and good neighborliness.

The interlocutors called for intensifying the traditional mutually beneficial partnership, and not only on a bilateral, but also on a multilateral basis - within authoritative international and regional organizations, in particular the CIS, which the Republic of Uzbekistan presides over this year.

During the telephone conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev exchanged views on a number of aspects of world problems, expressing satisfaction with the coincidence of the approaches and positions of the parties on key issues on the agenda, primarily related to ensuring global peace, security and prosperity.

Speaking about the global problem of our time - a pandemic of a new type of coronavirus infection, which has a negative impact on international economic relations, the heads of the two states noted the development of a coordinated approach in combating the spread of this dangerous disease, as well as regular sanitary and quarantine measures.

In this regard, the importance and timeliness of the initiatives put forward by the Turkmen leader on the active use of the mechanisms of scientific diplomacy and the creation of an international Council of medical scientists were emphasized.

Particular attention was focused on the general problem of the Aral Sea, the drying up of which had a negative impact on the climate, ecology, and health of people living in the Aral Sea region and far beyond its borders.

The President of Turkmenistan noted that natural factors could contribute to the transfer of various infections over long distances by dusty air currents that form in the Aral Sea zone.

Supporting this opinion, Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the steps taken in Uzbekistan, in particular, planting saxaul at the bottom of the dried Aral Sea.

Turkmenistan also implements a number of measures. In particular, special forest protection strip was planted in the Dashoguz velayat to filter dusty winds blowing from the Aral Sea.

Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the existing high level of trust and mutual understanding would continue to serve as a solid basis for the development of a constructive dialogue.

The Turkmen leader once again sincerely congratulated his Uzbek colleague on his birthday, wishing him good health and further success in responsible government activities, and peace, well-being and prosperity to the fraternal people of the neighboring country.

/ The State News Agency of Turkmenistan /