On April 10, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in an extraordinary summit meeting of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, held in the form of a videoconference, to discuss cooperation issues and coordination of efforts in combating the spread of coronavirus.

 

The meeting, chaired by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, was also attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov, the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban and the Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

 

In accordance with the agenda, views were exchanged on the priority measures taken in the countries to counter the pandemic. The parties also informed about comprehensive measures aimed at ensuring epidemiological control in the countries, protecting socially vulnerable segments of the population, supporting economic and business sectors in difficult conditions.

 

Importance of close cooperation was emphasized in order to exchange experience and best practices in the fight against coronavirus, strengthen coordination and support joint projects of trade, economic, investment, transport and communication cooperation.

 

It should be noted that the Turkic Council countries, historically closely connected by friendship and partnership, have dynamically developed multifaceted cooperation in recent years.

 

Unfortunately, the rapidly spreading dangerous infection has not bypassed our countries with the population of about 160 million people.

 

The pandemic has become a serious challenge for humanity and the global economy. Global epidemiological crisis has led to a significant reduction in transport communication in the world, suspension of large enterprises and industries, increased unemployment and continues to have a huge negative impact on sustainable socio-economic development in all countries.

 

Speaking about the priorities of cooperation in this sphere, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of developing effective and comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of infection, strengthening the capacity of health systems, minimizing the consequences for key sectors and sensitive sectors of the economy, and establishing an open international dialogue.

 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan shared information on uncompromising struggle against coronavirus in the country. Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the quarantine measures introduced in accordance with the recommendations and requirements of the World Health Organization.

 

The work on construction of quarantine zones and modern modular clinics in the regions of the country, measures taken to expand social guarantees for doctors, organization of distance education, as well as the launch of real support mechanisms for the economy and business, introduction of the National System for Monitoring and Forecasting the Epidemiological Situation in Uzbekistan, and other events were noted.

 

In order to take effective practical measures on effectively countering the consequences of the spread of coronavirus infection, the leader of Uzbekistan forwarded a number of specific proposals, including:

 

– creation of a permanent monitoring system, analysis and forecasting the development of the epidemiological situation within the framework of the Turkic Council;

 

– establishment of close cooperation between the ministries of health and leading medical institutions for the exchange of experience in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dangerous infectious diseases, conducting scientific research.

 

To this end, holding the first videoconference with participation of leading experts;

 

– strengthening the coordinating functions of the secretariat of the Turkic Council and creating an appropriate group to establish close working contacts with national headquarters to combat the pandemic;

 

– maximum use of transport infrastructure and communications, provision of practical assistance in transportation of goods and facilitation of the passage across borders, rapid resolution of all issues arising by creating a working group led by the heads of the ministries of transport of the organization’s member countries;

 

– attracting international assistance to mitigate the effects of the pandemic, further enhancing the status and powers of the World Health Organization, establishing partnership between WHO and the Turkic Council.

 

Concluding his speech, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized:

 

“We all well understand that not a single state can cope alone with this terrible pandemic.

 

Action guidelines for us should be the principles of unity, cooperation and mutual assistance. Together we can do a lot”.

 

All proposals and initiatives of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan were included in the final document of the extraordinary summit meeting of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States – the Baku Declaration.

 

This important document will become the political and legal basis for implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the meeting of the heads of Turkic-Speaking States.