Dear Shavkat Miromonovich!

Dear Heads of State! 

First, let me express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev for organization of this meeting. I wanted to note his big personal contribution to the successful presidency of Uzbekistan in Commonwealth of Independent States in 2020.

As per tradition at the end of the year we summon the results of our mutual work in the framework of CIS, exchanging of opinions regarding work in the coming period. 

First of all, it must be said that, despite the known objective difficulties, the CIS countries managed to carry out most of the planned joint events. Meetings of the Councils of Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers, and the Economic Council took place, during which strategic directions of our interaction in various fields were discussed and important documents were adopted.

Among them, I would highlight the CIS Economic Development Strategy until 2030. We assess this document as timely and relevant, note its specificity, the clarity of the goals and objectives set out in it for the long term. We are ready to work together on their implementation.

It should be emphasized here that the above Strategy is based on the principles of the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States, adopted at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State in Ashgabat in October last year.

We note with satisfaction that among the priorities of the economic partnership of the Commonwealth countries, such areas as transport, the fuel and energy complex, communications and relations, industrial cooperation, trade, innovation and technology are highlighted. These are the areas where we have something to offer each other, as well as partners outside the CIS.

In general, Turkmenistan stands for imparting a new quality to our cooperation, a transition to long-term systemic interaction. We are convinced that the current potential of the CIS allows us to talk about the possibilities of implementing significant projects in these promising industries.

At the same time, the territories of the CIS countries can become the main routes of economic interaction on the continent, in a broad sense - connecting links along the Europe-Asia line.

In this context, we emphasize the importance of promoting the economic interests of the CIS beyond the geographical limits of the Commonwealth, integrating neighboring countries and neighboring regions into our joint projects.

First of all, this concerns the creation of transport and transit infrastructure, the optimization and expansion of energy supplies, the laying of new conjunction lines and communications.

In particular, we see great opportunities for cooperation in these areas in the Caspian region, for the creation of a modern combined logistics system here with the participation of states that do not have direct access to the World Ocean.

We propose to consider in this regard the prospects for using the International Seaport of the city of Turkmenbashi, as well as the modern merchant fleet of Turkmenistan.

Last year, during the First Caspian Economic Forum in the city of Turkmenbashi, the conceptual foundations of multilateral cooperation in the Caspian were laid, concrete steps were outlined to give it a long-term character.

Many states and large foreign companies are interested in participating in it. We believe that the Caspian direction should take its proper place in the plans of the Commonwealth, and be considered as a zone of priority economic partnership.

Dear Heads of State! 

The outgoing year has passed under the banner of the fight against coronavirus infection, becoming a serious test for our health systems.

I consider it necessary to emphasize that in these difficult conditions, the CIS states were able to quickly establish channels of interaction through medical, sanitary, customs and other services, showing high responsibility, solidarity and mutual support in the face of a new challenge.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for his great personal contribution to the solution of this universal problem, which has increased the authority of the Russian leader in the international arena.

I am convinced that these principles should guide us in the coming period of combating the pandemic and overcoming its consequences. In this regard, we count on a substantive consideration of the concrete measures proposed by Turkmenistan in the UN to establish mechanisms for scientific and medical cooperation, the creation of international specialized centers in which the latest methods and practices would be developed to counter dangerous viral infections.

I believe that the CIS countries could take a proactive role in this work, set an example of effective cooperation, exchange of experience, joint developments in the field of medicine.

In general, Turkmenistan is convinced of the need for closer interaction and consolidation of efforts of the CIS countries on the world stage, in the largest international structures, primarily in the United Nations.

We believe that today, against the background of difficult developments in world politics, the Commonwealth countries could make a significant contribution to stabilizing the situation, restoring and strengthening the role of international law and the UN Charter, and helping to create an atmosphere of trust and predictability in relations between states.

In this regard, we consider it important to adopt a joint Statement of the heads of the CIS member states in connection with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations.
As you know, on the initiative of Turkmenistan, 2021 was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as the International Year of Peace and Trust. We regard this decision as a good reason for the resumption of a serious,

responsible dialogue on the issues of the modern world order and international relations.

We invite you to think together about filling it with practical and concrete content.

In this context, in Ashgabat next year, it is planned to hold a high-level international conference on the issues of strengthening peace, security, and ensuring sustainable development.

I invite you to take part in this Forum!

A few days ago, Turkmenistan marked a significant date in its modern history - the 25th anniversary of the international recognition of the status of permanent neutrality.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the heads of state who have sent congratulations to Turkmenistan and its people. This position is for us a great support and incentive for the development of international cooperation on the principles of good-neighborliness and peacefulness, confirms the loyalty of the chosen foreign policy course of Turkmenistan, its compliance with the long-term interests and goals of the Commonwealth of

Independent States.

In this regard, we consider it useful to continue the practice of mutual support in the UN General Assembly. During its current session, Turkmenistan put forward a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of preventive diplomacy and the implementation of the principles of neutrality in resolving international issues.

We are grateful to those Commonwealth countries that have joined Turkmenistan's initiative to create a Group of Friends of Neutrality in the United Nations in the name of peace, security and development - we highly appreciate their position.

Dear Heads of State!

Turkmenistan is convinced that the CIS has great potential in economic and social development, humanitarian and cultural cooperation, and in a positive impact on regional and global processes. The Commonwealth proves its viability, its ability to responsibly deal with challenges and threats, its relevance as an important instrument of interstate dialogue.

Our country is firmly committed to continuing close cooperation within the CIS, actively participating in the implementation of the provisions of the signed documents.

Concluding my speech, I would like to express my gratitude to Uzbekistan for the skillful chairmanship of the CIS in 2020 and wish success to the Republic of Belarus, which is taking over the chairmanship next year.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the head of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Nikolayevich Lebedev for effective coordination of our work and contribution to the successful holding of this meeting.

Allow me to congratulate you, dear participants, with the coming New Year, to wish you good health and success, and in your person, the peoples of the Commonwealth states - peace, happiness and prosperity.

December 18, 2020