Representatives of governments, heads and senior specialists of water management and environment bodies of Central Asian countries of Turkmenistan , Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Iran and EU countries participate in the forum. Italy is co-chairing the meeting.

Foreign guests will participate in three forums - High Level Conference of EU and Central Asia, the 12th meeting of the working group of EU Water Initiative for Eastern European countries, Caucasus and Central Asia, and the 52nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Coordination Water Management Commission.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sent a welcome message to the participants, the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Ashgabat. The message was published in central press of Turkmenistan today.

"We attach special importance to environment and water resources forums held in Turkmenistan, the message says. Problems of stock-taking and rational use of water resources are the priority today. That is why the importance of exchange of opinions and experience on these issues is ever growing."