President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the session of the Council of heads of CIS states in an online mode. We provide the text of the speech of the Turkmen leader which was broadcast on the news of Turkmen television:
First of all, let me express my gratitude to president of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev for the organisation of the present session. I would like to note his big personal contribution to the successful chairmanship of Uzbekistan of the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2020.
By tradition at the end of the year we sum up our joint activity within the limits of the CIS, we exchange opinions on the work in the forthcoming period.
First of all, it is necessary to tell that, despite known objective difficulties, the CIS countries managed to hold the majority of the planned joint actions.Sessions of the Councils of heads of the governments, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Economic Council in which course strategic directions of our interaction in various spheres were discussed, took place and important documents were accepted.
Among them I especially would outline the Strategy of Economic Development of the CIS for 2030. We estimate this document as timely and actual, we mark its reality, and clearness of the goals set in it and tasks for long-term prospect. We are ready for joint work for their realization.
Here it is necessary to underline that the above-named Strategy is based on principles of the Declaration of strategic economic cooperation of states-participants of CIS, accepted in the session of the Council of heads of the states in Ashkhabad in October, last year.
With satisfaction we note that among priorities of economic partnership of the countries of Commonwealth such directions, as transport, fuel and energy complex, communications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovations and technologies were outlined. These are those spheres, where we have much to propose for each other, and also for partners outside of the CIS.
As a whole, Turkmenistan stands for our cooperation of new quality, transition to long-term system interaction. We are convinced that the today’s potential of the CIS allows speaking about possibilities of realisation of significant projects in the specified perspective branches.
Thus, territories of the CIS countries can become the main ways of economic interaction on the continent, in a broad sense connecting links on the line of Europe-Asia.
In this context we underline importance of advancement of economic interests of the CIS beyond geographical limits of the Commonwealth, integration in our joint projects of the neighbouring countries and regions. First of all, it concerns creations of transport-transit infrastructure, optimisation and expansion of deliveries of energy carriers, laying of new communication lines and communications.
In particular, we see big possibilities of cooperation in these directions in the Caspian region, creation of here modern system of the combined logistics with participation of the states which do not have a direct access to the world ocean.
We suggest considering thereupon prospects of use of the International seaport of the city of Turkmenbashi, and also modern merchant marine fleet of Turkmenistan.
Last year during the First Caspian economic forum in the city of Turkmenbashi conceptual bases of multilateral cooperation on the Caspian sea were laid, concrete steps of long-term character were marked.
The interest in its participation was shown by many states and large foreign companies. We consider that the Caspian direction should take an appropriate place in Commonwealth plans, to be considered as a zone of priority economic partnership.
The outgoing year has passed under the sign of struggle with coronavirus infection, becoming serious test for our systems of public health services.
I consider necessary to underline that in these difficult conditions of the CIS states could adjust operatively channels of interaction in the area of medical, sanitary, customs and other services, having shown high responsibility, solidarity and mutual support in the face of a new challenge.
Taking an opportunity, I would like to express sincere gratitude to president of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for his big personal contribution to the solution of this general problem that has increased authority of the Russian leader on the international arena.
I am convinced that we should be guided by these principles during the forthcoming period of struggle against the pandemic and overcoming of its consequences.We count in this plan for subject consideration of concrete measures on adjustment of mechanisms of scientific-medical cooperation, creation of international specialised centres in which the latest techniques and counteraction practice to dangerous virus infections would be developed, proposed by Turkmenistan in the United Nations.
I believe that the CIS countries could take an initiative role in this work, set an example of effective cooperation, exchange of experience, joint workings out in the field of medicine.
As a whole, Turkmenistan is convinced of necessity of closer interaction and consolidation of efforts of CIS countries on the world arena, in the largest international structures, first of all, in the United Nations Organization.
We consider that today, against the uneasy phenomena in world politics, the Commonwealth countries could bring the appreciable contribution to conditions stabilisation, restoration and strengthening of the role of international law and the United Nations Charter, to assist in creation of atmosphere of trust and predictability in relations between the states.
We consider important thereupon acceptance of the joint statement of heads of states-participants CIS in connection with the 75th anniversary of creation of the United Nations Organization.
As known, at the initiative of Turkmenistan 2021 was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as International year of peace and trust. We consider this decision as a good occasion to renewal of serious, responsible dialogue concerning the modern world order and international relations.
We suggest thinking together over it to fill it with practical and concrete contents.
In this context in Ashkhabad next year the International conference of high level devoted to issues of strengthening of peace, security, sustainable development maintenance is planned. I invite you to take part in this Forum.
Some days ago Turkmenistan has celebrated a significant date in its modern history the 25th anniversary of international recognition of the status of its permanent neutrality.
I would like, using this possibility, sincerely to thank heads of the states for congratulations to Turkmenistan and its people.Such position is for us a big support and stimulus for development of international cooperation in good neighbourhood and peaceful disposition principles, confirms fidelity of the selected foreign policy of Turkmenistan, its conformity to long-term interests and the purposes of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Thereupon we consider useful continuation of practice of mutual support in the UN General Assembly. During its present session Turkmenistan has put forward a number of the initiatives aimed at strengthening of the role of preventive diplomacy and realisation of principles of neutrality for solution of international issues.
We are grateful to those countries of the Commonwealth which have joined the initiative of Turkmenistan on creation of Group of friends of neutrality for peace, security and development at the United Nations we highly appreciate their position.
Turkmenistan is convinced availability of high potential of economic and social development, humanitarian and cultural cooperation in positive influence on regional and global processes by the CIS. The Commonwealth proves the viability, ability responsibly to cope with calls and threats, the demand as an important tool of interstate dialogue.
Our country is firmly adjusted for continuation of close interaction within the limits of the CIS, active participation in realisation of provisions of the signed documents.
Concluding my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to Uzbekistan for its efficient chairmanship of the CIS in 2020 and to wish successes Byelorussia which accepts chairmanship in the next year.
I also address words of gratitude to the head of the Executive Committee to the Executive Secretary of the CIS Sergey Nikolayevich Lebedev for effective coordination of our work and the contribution to successful organization of the present session.
Let me congratulate you, dear participants, on the upcoming New Year and wish you sound health and successes, and in your person the people of the states of Commonwealth peace, well-being and prosperity.