Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed water diplomacy issues over phone, Trend reports.

This issue was discussed within the preparation for the consultative meeting of the presidents of Central Asian countries in Tashkent on April 12, 2019. The sides stressed that the preservation and rational use of water resources in the region is one of the most important tasks of the Central Asian countries.

The need was stressed to intensify multilateral cooperation on water issues on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, mutual consideration of the interests of all regional countries, as well as cooperation with international organizations.

The presidents also exchanged the views on the further development of partnership within the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS).

The need was stressed to consolidate the efforts of all interested sides in the preparation of the UN special program for the Aral Sea basin and the implementation of the initiative to create the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral region.

Turkmenistan borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan and uses water resources coming in accordance with agreed quotas from four trans-boundary rivers, namely, Amu Darya, Tejen, Atrek and Murgab.

“The Qazaq Times”