President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid the state visit to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on April 28.

During the top level talks in Kabul Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Hamid Karzai exchanged views of the current condition and the future trends of Turkmen-Afghan partnership, discussed the progress of the bilateral agreements achieved earlier. Focusing on co-operation of the fuel and energy sector the interlocutors put emphasis on significance of the TransAfghan gas pipeline project as a key factor of the wellbeing of the participating countries, maintenance of peace, mutual confidence and trust in the region.

Highly appreciating the intergovernmental dialogue established between the two countries the partners called for further enhancement and intensification of fruitful co-operation in such strategic sectors as power industry, transport and communications as well. Defining the humanitarian sphere as a priority of Turkmen-Afghan partnership Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Hamid Karzai noted that the spiritual and cultural kinship of two nations served as the reliable foundation for building good neighbouring relations. The interlocutors discussed the issues of regional policy of mutual interest.

Hamid Karzai expressed sincere gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and in his person the people of Turkmenistan for fraternal help and active contribution to Afghanistan’s peaceful revival, the readiness to give a hand of friendship and help.

Upon concluding the top level talks the ceremony of signing the bilateral documents was held in presence of the members of the governmental delegations and the journalists.

Upon concluding the ceremony the leaders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan participated in the brief press conference. Hamid Karzai thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for accepting the invitation to pay a visit to Afghanistan. The Afghan leader said that the people of Afghanistan took pride in receiving the President of independent neutral Turkmenistan – the leader of the friendly country, which had gained the outstanding achievements in development and won the well-deserved reputation in the region and worldwide.

Focusing on the success and exceptional effectiveness of the top level talks Hamid Karzai said that the Turkmen and the Afghan peoples as well as the peoples in the region would considerably benefit from the agreements achieved. Empathizing that the current bilateral relations exemplified successful intergovernmental co-operation built on the principles of mutual respect and confidence the President of Afghanistan said that the Turkmen leader’s visit to Afghanistan ranked among the historic event for its outcomes as well as impact on enhancement of Afghanistan’s prestige on the world arena.

Thanking Hamid Karzai for the invitation to visit Afghanistan and the heartfelt welcome and hospitality Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that he was very glad to have an opportunity to visit the neighbouring country, whose people were determined to build their peaceful and happy future. The Turkmen said that the Turkmen people valued their main achievements – peace, unity and stability enabling to face the future confidently and create.

Noting that the two nations took pride in the ties of spiritual kinship and strong friendship bound them over the centuries Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the history of the Turkmen-Afghan relations was experiencing a qualitatively new stage opening the vast opportunities for developing fruitful contacts.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov defined the top level talks as a new step in the history of the Turkmen-Afghan relations. The Turkmen leader said that the talks were constructive and fruitful that would enable to considerably expand the scope of intergovernmental collaboration. A broad range of the issues of co-operation including the sphere of economy, trade and culture had been considered. The package of the bilateral documents issued upon concluding the summit talks was to strengthen the legal basis of the Turkmen-Afghan relations that, undoubtedly, would enable to intensify effective co-operation in the mutual interests.

Summing up the achieved agreements Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to the Afghan partners for the heartfelt and cordial welcome emphasizing that he regarded it as a token of respect for the people of Turkmenistan.

Addressing the wishes of happiness and wellbeing to the Afghan people the President of Turkmenistan expressed belief that friendship and mutually advantageous co-operation between the two states would be developed and enhanced.

The official dinner was given in honour of the honorary Turkmen guest on behalf of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at the Hall of Official Reception. The reception began with the ceremony of awarding the highest governmental award of Afghanistan Ghazi Amanullah Khan Medal to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Decree of the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai said that the award was presented to the Turkmen leader for the policy of humanism, friendship and good neighbourliness that had brought the relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan up to a higher level. In the solemn atmosphere Hamid Karzai presented the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Medal to the President of Turkmenistan.

Expressing sincere gratitude to the President of Afghanistan for the given honour the Turkmen leader emphasized that he regarded as a token of profound respect and esteem for the people of Turkmenistan. This was the highest evaluation of the two friendly nations’ adherence to the policy of good neighbouring relations, peace and mutual respect, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

The President said that the services of Ghazy Emir Amanullah Khan – one of the wisest, prudent political figures, who had profoundly contributed to gaining independence by Afghanistan, for his people were known well in Turkmenistan. His reforms had been of paramount significance for foundation and development of the Afghan state, enhancement of the country’s prestige in the region and worldwide.

Noting that the genuinely friendly Turkmen-Afghan relations rooted deeply in the history Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai’s great services for achievement of the high level of the bilateral dialogue were of paramount significance in the current period. The prudent home and foreign policy pursued by the leader of the neighbouring country and his unprecedented efforts to ensure peaceful, prosperous life for the Afghan people was supported and deeply respected in Turkmenistan.

Thanking for awarding the highest and honorary award Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished Hamid Karzai good health, happiness and success in his important work.