Priority directions of Turkmen – Malaysian cooperation is defined during high level negotiations

Negotiations between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak. 

In the morning on 8th of November 2016, the Head of Turkmenistan left his residence at fashionable Shangri La Hotel and went to Putrajaya, new administrative centre of Malaysia located 20 km to the south of the capital Kuala Lumpur. 

There, at Perdana square in front of the building of the Government of Malaysia, president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak. 

After shaking hands, the President of Turkmenistan and Prime Minister of Malaysia went to the place of official meeting. 

National anthems of both countries were played. 

Commander of Guards of Honour Company gave report to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Leader of the Nation passed by the line of soldiers of the Guard of Honour. 

After, the Leaders of both countries meet the members of government delegations of Turkmenistan and Malaysia. Heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Malaysia were also introduced to the Turkmen Leader. 
 

After official ceremony of photographing, president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister Najib Razak entered the building of the Government of Malaysia and went to the fourth floor where the Turkmen Leader left memory entry in the Book of Honoured Guests. 

Next, exclusive dialog of the President of Turkmenistan and Prime Minister of Malaysia was held in the atmosphere of understanding and business vein. The sides discussed current situation and prospects of Turkmen – Malaysian cooperation in the context of its priority directions and modern realities. Having noted the presence of considerable potential and wide opportunities for activation of efficient partnership in different spheres, the President of Turkmenistan and Prime Minister of Malaysia dwelt on the subject of cooperation in fuel and energy complex, which strategic one for the economy of both countries. 

Speaking for further consolidation of constructive political dialog, improvement of trade and economic relations, the Turkmen Leader and the Head of the Government of Malaysia highlighted the importance of stimulation of humanitarian and cultural contacts. 

The Sides also shared the views on topical issues of regional and global politics, which presents mutual interest. 

After, the negotiations were continued in extended format with participation of governmental delegations of Turkmenistan and Malaysia. 

It was mentioned that recently, trade turnover between our states increased many times and this is not a limit. There is huge potential for further development of interstate relations. It goes without saying that oil and gas sphere including oil processing is key directions of bilateral cooperation but there is number of other promising spheres of relations. Najib Razak made special mention that Malaysian side would make all efforts to improve and developed committedly our mutually beneficial partnership. We want Turkmenistan consider us as reliable partner, which is willing to apply all efforts in further development of your country, - the Head of the Government of Malaysia said. 

Having expressed the gratitude to the Prime Minister of Malaysia for warm welcome and conditions established for successful joint work, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that current negotiations involve large number of issues related to bilateral cooperation, the course of realization of previous agreements, which indicate active character of interstate dialog, as well as world and regional politics. 

In this relation, current meeting is considered as another important step to continue cooperation and steadfast consolidation of friendly, partnership relations between Turkmenistan and Malaysia. 

The Head of the State mentioned the willingness of the sides to efficient involvement of existing potential for the development of Turkmen – Malaysian relations in all spectrum, further consolidation of cooperation and improvement of it with new types and directions was confirmed during the conversation with the Prime Minister of Malaysia. 

Such approach meets long-term strategic interests of both states, maintenance of bilateral dialog established recently. The Sides emphasized that productive cooperation of our counties is capable to make positive influence on the development of political, trade and economic relations at international and regional levels. 

Foreign policy cooperation, where Turkmenistan and Malaysia have traditionally mutual understanding, is one of the key aspects of bilateral relations. It is vividly indicated by the similarity of opinions both on estimation of potential of bilateral dialog and on coordination in topical issues of international life. 

Both states adhere to common position and approaches to the number of key issues of modern international politics. First of all, these are sustainable development and consolidation of security system in the world, Central Asia and Asian Pacific Region. 

Currency of further close cooperation of Turkmenistan and Malaysia under competent international organizations including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other, was also mentioned. 

The fact that Malaysia was co-author of the UN Resolutions on permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, on reliable and stable transit of energy carriers as well as on the role of transport and transit corridors in comprehensive cooperation in transport sphere, adopted by the initiative of our country, indicates the effectiveness of collaboration of two states. 

Together with this, Malaysia supported Turkmenistan during election to the UN Economic and Social Council for 2013 – 2015 as well as to the Executive Committee of the UNESCO for 2013 – 2017. 

Turkmenistan also repeatedly supported Malaysia during elections to different international organizations and specialized structures. 

At the modern stage, Turkmenistan pays special attention to the development of relations with Asian Pacific Region as a priority direction, strategic vector of its foreign policy and activity. In this context, our country watches with interest the activity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ACEAN), where actual potential for cooperation, first, in trade and economic sphere is present. 
 

Turkmenistan is willing to cooperate closely with this competent international organization and consider Malaysia as one of the key partner in achievement of this target. 

Consolidation of confidence-building measures in Asia, establishment of strong political and legal conditions for steadfast development of relations between the states, based on recognized international legal standards in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations Organizations, are another important aspect of Turkmen – Malaysian political dialog. Having noted that Turkmenistan supports the efforts of the world community aimed at establishment and consolidation of peace and stability in Asian Pacific region and the measures for non-admission of conflict situations, the Leader of the Nation also stated the community of opinions of Turkmenistan and Malaysia on such topical issues of international life as assistance to the goals of sustainable development, counter of global threats and challenges – terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking. 

Having confirmed the intention to continue efficient joint work in this direction under international organizations, the Sides expressed mutual opinion that activation of practice of regular contacts on the government and foreign policy departments of both countries is important factor of such cooperation. 

Malaysia is one of important and long-term partners of Turkmenistan in trade and economic and investment spheres. Long-term cooperation with largest Malaysian company «Petronas Çarigali», which one of the first started development of marine deposits of Turkmenistan, is an example of efficient use of existing bilateral potential in this sphere. 

Along with fuel and energy sphere, there are many other directions of partnership where joint efforts of the sides is able to bring positive result. Good prospects are opened there for diversification of Turkmen – Malaysian cooperation including for support of private business, development of business contacts in production sector. 

High technologies, taking into account many years of Malaysian experience in this sphere, was specially highlighted among the priority vectors during the negotiations. Specifically, it is related to investment of such high technology branches of economy as energy, communication, processing and chemical industry. 

Existing potential of textile production of Turkmenistan was noted. There are numerous modern textile enterprises in our country, which produce high quality items meeting international standards from domestic raw materials. This production is successfully exported to the world markets and is able to be supplied to Malaysia. 
 

The Sides spoke for increase of volumes and diversification of mutual trade turnover in order to bring it to the levels meeting actual capabilities of both countries. Joint Interstate Committees for economic cooperation and the Business Council, which foundation would allow giving additional impulse to the development of partnership between Turkmenistan and Malaysia, are summoned to play important coordinating role in this. Activation of trade and economic relations, establishment of contacts among business circles of two countries will be also promoted by regular business forums, exhibitions and experts meetings. 

Turkmen – Malaysian business forum in November of the last year in Kuala Lumpur is positive example of it. In this regards, the initiative to conduct the same forum in Ashgabat in 2017 was uttered. 

Banking sphere and urban planning, processing of agricultural production and food industry were called among other perspective vectors of interstate cooperation. 

Our country is interested in study and implementation of Malaysian experience in formation of modern tourism infrastructure and services spheres as well as Malaysian companies are welcomed to participate in the development of tourism business in Turkmenistan. 

Having dwelt on the potential of cooperation in transport and transit spheres, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that this direction is strategically priority in foreign policy of our country. Considering that, Turkmenistan sees Malaysia as most important partner in Asian Pacific. 

Currently, Turkmenistan, together with number of neighbour states, establishes diverse network of combined transport, transit and logistic infrastructure in the East – West and North – South directions, which in the future will include transport corridors entering the Caspian, Black Sea and Baltics regions. It opens optimum terrestrial way from Asian Pacific region to European and Middle East markets through the Central Asia. 

Having reached common opinion that large opportunities are being opened for Turkmenistan and Malaysia, the Sides spoke for joint development of proposals on development of transport infrastructure for discussion in specialized international structures, particularly in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 

Generally, Turkmenistan welcomes participation of Malaysian companies in large national projects in transport and communication spheres, modernization of infrastructure at the Caspian Coast. 

Taking opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited representative of Malaysia to take part in the Global Conference for Sustainable Transport System, which would be held under the UN aegis in Ashgabat on November 26 – 27 of the current year. 

Cooperation in cultural and humanitarian spheres was separate subject of the negotiations. It was emphasized that cooperation in science, education, culture and arts is important factor promoting closer relations and mutual cultural enrichment of the people, consolidation of friendship relations between us. Turkmenistan and Malaysia are the countries with ancient traditions and richest cultural heritage. Activation of partnership in this sphere, conduct of Cultural days, arts exhibitions and festivals, organization of cultural delegation of both countries will generally promote the development of interstate relations. 

Under Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in cultural sphere, days of Turkmenistan Culture in Malaysia was held in December of the last year and it was proposed to organize Days of Malaysian Culture in our country in 2017. 

At the end of the negotiations, signing ceremony of bilateral documents was held. Under the applauses of the participants, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak put their signatures under the Joint Communiqué on occasion of official visit of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia, which is summoned to consolidate and open new horizons of bilateral partnership. 

The Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of Malaysia on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of Malaysia on Cooperation in Sport Field were also signed. 

After, the Leader of two countries addressed the press. 

Speaking to the representatives of mass media, the Prime Minister of Malaysia highlighted high success of the negotiations where commitment of both countries to friendship and brotherhood relations was confirmed, subjects, related to further consolidation of cooperation in range of priority directions as well as to international agenda, were discussed. 

Having made special mention of importance of signing of the documents resulted by the negotiations, the Prime Minister of Malaysia highlighted that all efforts would be made for further intensification of business cooperation between our countries. 

Turkmen Leader said that during the negotiations, it was emphasized that the expansion of collaboration, meeting mutual interests, between Turkmenistan and Malaysia is oriented on further harmonization and consolidation of understanding between the people of both countries and is aimed at effectiveness and long-term prospect. 

Summarizing the speech, the President of Turkmenistan gave high remarks to the outcomes of the negotiations and expressed the confidence that reached agreements and signed documents would favour further intensification of bilateral dialog, realization of huge potential of the partnership in trade and economic, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres. 

At the end of the press conference, Prime Minister of Malaysia gave official dinner in honour of high-rank Turkmen guest in his residence. 

At the end of the dinner, the Head of Turkmenistan left for his residence, the Shangri La Hotel. 

By the request of the Head of the State, the members of representative delegation of our country held numbers of bilateral working meetings, consultations, exchanges of opinions on specific directions of Turkmen – Malaysian partnership. 

In the evening, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left for Kuala Lumpur International Airport where official see off ceremony of Turkmen leader was held.