The interests of Turkmenistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization must be translated into a practical plane, filled with real content, namely by entering promising joint international projects, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov said at a meeting of the SCO heads of government, which took place today.

According to the State News Agency of Turkmenistan, the Deputy Prime Minister took part in the meeting at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin.

The Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister noted that the states included in this Organization are old traditional partners, neighbors and friends of his country. According to him, Turkmenistan considers the development of relations with the SCO with the general orientation of its participation in world and continental affairs.

Energy and transport, trade and investment, industry and agriculture, as well as the areas of high technologies and innovations were named as promising areas for mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation between Turkmenistan and the SCO countries.

The development potential in the transport sector and the fact that the combined transport and logistics system being created in Turkmenistan is focused on connecting main routes along the North-South and East-West lines was especially emphasized. In this regard, the Government of Turkmenistan will continue to support the expansion of contacts between business circles in order to develop specific projects in these areas, S. Berdimuhamedov saids.

Humanitarian contacts are an important component of Turkmenistan's interaction with the SCO countries. Common historical, cultural and spiritual ties between our countries and peoples are a solid foundation for expanding relations in the fields of culture, science, education, health care, sports and tourism.

This is of particular importance in the current conditions, when it is necessary to unite the efforts of states in the fight against the pandemic, to show solidarity, mutual assistance and support, Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.

He mentioned the international initiatives of Turkmenistan in this area, noting that the support of these proposals from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will contribute to their effective implementation in the interests of the whole world and the establishment of systemic international mechanisms to counter dangerous infections in the long term.

At the end of his speech, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers conveyed an invitation from President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to all participants, members and observers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to participate in the International Conference of Ministers of Landlocked Developing Countries, planned to be held jointly with the United Nations in April 2022 year.