Telephone Conversation between Hero-Arkadag and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan

On 29 December 2025, a telephone conversation took place between 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.

Exchanging warm congratulations on the occasion of the forthcoming New Year 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and the President of Uzbekistan conveyed wishes of progress and prosperity to the fraternal peoples of the two countries. Taking the opportunity, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Thanking President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the telephone call, Hero-Arkadag подчеркнул that he regards this initiative as a sign of strong mutual friendship and an opportunity to express sincere good wishes on the eve of the New Year.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the significance of the announcement made by the head of the neighboring state in his address of 26 December to the parliament and people of Uzbekistan, declaring 2026 the “Year of Mahalla Development and Society as a Whole.”

As emphasized, this decision fully corresponds to the national interests, needs, and capabilities of Uzbek society and is aimed at the effective continuation of the political course pursued by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, directed toward the harmonious development of all areas of state and public life in Uzbekistan.

As noted, since the coming year according to the Eastern calendar will be the Year of the Horse, 2026 has been declared in Turkmenistan the year of “Independent neutral Turkmenistan – the homeland of purposeful winged horses.”

Expressing gratitude for the kind words, the President of Uzbekistan highly praised the dynamic development of Turkmenistan under the far-sighted leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who is successfully implementing the initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Proceeding from the commonality of goals, Hero-Arkadag expressed confidence in the continued strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan across a broad range of areas.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated Uzbekistan’s readiness for close cooperation with Turkmenistan. In turn, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, once again thanked the head of the neighboring state for his participation in the International Forum of Peace and Trust held in Ashgabat on 12 December.

Speaking about bilateral political and diplomatic relations, Hero-Arkadag emphasized the intensification of mutual visits at various levels and, in this context, noted the importance of the participation of a delegation headed by the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, in the International Conference held in Turkmenistan devoted to the role of women in society.

Expressing confidence that diplomats of both countries will continue contacts to promote mutually significant international initiatives and proposals, Hero-Arkadag emphasized the important role of the foreign policy agencies and embassies of both states in strengthening bilateral cooperation.

In this regard, Hero-Arkadag noted that recently, by a decree of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan, Ravshanbek Alimov, was awarded the jubilee medal “Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna” (“30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality”).

Hero-Arkadag also mentioned issues related to preparations for the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan scheduled to be held in Turkmenistan in 2026, as well as the next meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS.

Noting the importance of including water-related issues on the agenda of the forthcoming summits, Hero-Arkadag emphasized the need to develop a joint program of action aimed at addressing water challenges in the Central Asian, Aral Sea, and Caspian regions, as well as the Amu Darya River basin.

At the conclusion of the telephone conversation, 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, once again exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the forthcoming New Year 2026, wishing each other good health, happiness, and success in their responsible state activities.