NEW STEPS IN TURKMEN – MALAYSIAN BILATERAL RELATIONS
Today, under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov our country maintains bilateral relations with other countries. Specially, the development of constructive relations with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region is one of the priority areas of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, based on the principles of Neutrality, peacefulness, mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with all interested countries of the world. The strategy initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in this direction is consistently implemented by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
On December 18-19, 2024, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov had the first official visit to Malaysia.
The first visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia is a confirmation of the strong relations between Turkmenistan and Malaysia. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, both countries have carried out mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas of interest. The relations have been strengthened through cooperation in the oil and gas industry, which is a cornerstone for both countries.
During the visit, the President of Turkmenistan was ceremoniously welcomed at Perdana Square, the Prime Minister’s Office. Following the welcoming ceremony, the summit talks were held between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim. At the beginning of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim from the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan our Hero Arkadag, and also expressed greetings to the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim. Our Arkadagly Hero Serdar noted that Turkmenistan and Malaysia are aimed at consistently building up partnership in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
During the meeting the Head of the State stressed the importance of Turkmen-Malaysian parliamentary cooperation. In this regard, it was proposed to intensify interaction between parliamentarians, as well as to develop a plan for the participation of legislators in major international forums held in both countries. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also noted the expediency of establishing regular political consultations in order to enhance cooperation between the foreign ministers.
The key segment of Turkmen-Malaysian relations is the trade and economic partnership. In this regard, it was proposed to explore the partnership opportunities in such sectors as agriculture, textile industry, energy and transport.
Regarding that, a Joint Turkmen-Malaysian intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation aims at building up trade and economic partnership.
After the talks, the President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signed Joint Statement between Turkmenistan and Malaysia following the official visit.
During the official visit to Malaysia, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the famous PETRONAS skyscraper and held a meeting with the management of PETRONAS Charigali. Priority areas of cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as prospects for further cooperation were discussed at the meeting.
The oil and gas sectors are one of the dynamically developing industries in Turkmenistan. And for almost 30 years, Malaysian company PETRONAS has been actively involved in hydrocarbon production projects in Turkmenistan. In addition, the company effectively trains qualified specialists for the oil and gas industry.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the possibility of further expanding cooperation in new areas, taking into account economic development programs, reforms being implemented in the industrial sector and favorable conditions created for business in Turkmenistan.
It is essential to note that Turkmenistan and Malaysia are linked by friendly relations based on traditions of mutual respect. At present, cooperation between Turkmenistan and Malaysia is successfully developing within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement and other International Organizations.
Regarding this, the traditional relations between both countries can be shown as a clear confirmation of fruitful cooperation. Bilateral relations in various spheres, as well as trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian, are regularly developing and prospering.
The first visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia is another step in strengthening the traditional relations and expanding their scope.
Merdan BERDINIYAZOV,
Lecturer of Department of the International Relations and Diplomacy
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.