On 7 October, during his working visit to Azerbaijan, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with the President of the country Ilham Aliyev. This was reported by the news website Asmannews.

The President of Azerbaijan warmly welcomed the Hero Arkadag and expressed his gratitude for the invitation to participate in the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States.

In turn, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked him for the invitation and the opportunity to discuss priority areas of bilateral cooperation, conveying warm greetings and best wishes from the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Ilham Aliyev noted the importance of strengthening inter-state dialogue with brotherly Turkmenistan, and the Hero Arkadag expressed gratitude for the personal contribution of the President of Azerbaijan to the development of friendly relations between the countries. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also noted the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation at the level of the Prime Minister in the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.

The interlocutors emphasised that trust-based relations at the highest level give a systematic character and stable impetus to bilateral cooperation.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov recalled that this was already the third meeting with President Aliyev this year, and warmly recalled the previous negotiation held in July and August. During the discussion, topical issues of political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation were considered, emphasising the high level of fraternal relations.

The two countries' positions on key issues of global and regional politics were noted to be consistent. Hero Arkadag thanked Azerbaijan for its support of Turkmenistan's positive neutrality and international initiatives. The National Leader of the Turkmen people also invited President Aliyev to participate in the International Forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality and the International Year of Peace and Trust proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.

During the meeting, issues of cooperation in the Caspian Sea region were discussed, including security, economy, ecology, trade, shipping and scientific research. Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness to take an active part in the upcoming Summit of the Heads of Caspian States and proposed to pay special attention to the ecological security of the sea.

Particular attention was paid to the development of trade and economic cooperation, with an emphasis on more effective use of the potential of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Azerbaijani Commission on Economic Cooperation. Transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, the textile industry and new technologies were also discussed.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation remains an important area. Shared history, traditions, language and spiritual values create a solid foundation for ties. The practice of holding Culture Days, joint concerts, conferences, exhibitions and festivals continues. This year, Turkmenistan Culture Days are planned in Baku and Ganja, which will be organised at a high level.

The interlocutors confirmed their readiness to develop cooperation in carpet weaving and the breeding of Ahal-Teke and Karabakh horses. Hero Arkadag invited Ilham Aliyev to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan at a convenient time.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders of both countries expressed confidence in the further development of traditionally friendly relations and exchanged best wishes.