The presidents of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan held their first trilateral summit in Ashgabat in August 2023 to improve relations in Central Asia.
The main areas of cooperation among these countries are energy, transportation and agriculture, issues that, before independence from the Soviet Union, were left to decision-makers in Moscow.
The three countries have pursued close cooperation in building railways and roads to bind together their economies. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have paid particular attention to the use of water and hydroelectric power derived from rivers that flow through more than one country.
During the summit, Turkmenistan proposed a strategic natural gas partnership with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
“Turkmenistan has huge natural gas resources. Diversification of gas exports and balancing the interests of the gas producer, transit nations, and consumers of energy is important for us when implementing international energy projects. A strategic gas partnership between Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan speaks to those interests,” Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov said.
Leaders of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan welcomed Turkmenistan’s proposal given energy shortages both countries have faced in recent years, especially during the winter.
“With hydropower in mind, Tajikistan is focused on advancing the production of clean energy and is prepared to maintain active collaboration with regional countries in this endeavor,” Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said at the meeting.
He also urged the effective use of the potential of the three countries in the transportation sector and the establishment of international trade and transit corridors passing through Tajikistan.
Following the summit, the three presidents expressed readiness to improve cooperation in politics, trade, economics, culture and human rights. They also noted the importance of strengthening trilateral ties within the United Nations and other international and regional platforms. Sources: Turkmenistan.gov, Radio Ozodi, Bolshaya Aziya