The big programme of the events had been prepared for the second day of the Croatian leader’s official visit to Turkmenistan.

The day before Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Croatian President Stjepan Mesic held the top level talks in Ashgabat, which could be viewed as a reference point in the modern history of the bilateral relations.

That is vividly proved by the agreements achieved upon concluding the top level talks to foster the constructive dialogue in the bilateral format as well as in the framework of the authoritative organisations, in particular the United Nations. The documents reaffirming the partners’ intention to bring traditionally friendly partnership up to a higher level meeting its potential and resources and, first of all, the interests of the Turkmen and Croatian peoples are aimed at intensifying fruitful collaboration between Turkmenistan and Croatia in the whole spectrum – in the political, trade and economic, humanitarian and cultural spheres.

The Ashgabat top level talks between Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Stjepan Mesic continued the dialogue about mutually advantageous co-operation initiated by the two leaders at the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last autumn and at the NATO Summit in Bucharest this spring. Specifying the key fields of Turkmen-Croatian partnership with due regard to the priorities of the countries’ social and economic development at the new historical stage the sides defined the steps towards implementation of the potential of co-operation on the long-term basis. Thus, the opportunities of concerting effectively efforts in such fields as transport, communication and telecommunication, trade, construction industry including industrial engineering, recreation and tourism industry, education, science and culture and of course, fuel and energy sector were the focus of the talks. The contacts between the foreign ministries had been offered a powerful incentive to develop that was of paramount importance for fostering the intergovernmental relations. Having put forward the initiative to establish the regular consultations between the foreign ministries the Turkmen President suggested holding the first consultations in Ashgabat this year. Thus, the high level of mutual understanding maintained between the two partner states and their leaders, invariable willingness of both Turkmenistan and Croatia to establish full-scale collaboration for the benefit of their peoples was once more convincingly demonstrated.

On the second day of the visit to Turkmenistan the Croatian leader and government delegation commemorated the founder and first President of Turkmenistan and laid flowers to the family mausoleum Saparmurat Niyazov in Gypjak. Stjepan Mesic visited the Mosque of Spirituality – a sanctuary of the Turkmen people.

Then the President’s cortege headed for the south of the Turkmen capital, where the National Park of Independence sprang up at the picturesque foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. President Stjepan Mesic laid flowers to the Monument to Turkmenistan Independence commemorating the national heroes of all time. By tradition the leader of the friendly state planted a young pine tree on the Alley of Honorary Guests.

Then the honorary guests visited the First President’s Museum included into the architectural ensemble of the National Cultural Centre. Thanking the museum specialists for the interesting excursion Stjepan Mesic wrote an entry to the Book of Honorary Guests.

Then the Croatian President visited the National Museum, which housed the collection of the artefacts of the ancient Turkmen history and culture. Stjepan Mesci and the members of the Croatian government delegation showed keen interest in the unique museum exposition reflecting Turkmenistan’s glorious past and present days.

In the afternoon the Croatian leader held a meeting with the high-ranking officials and specialists of the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under President of Turkmenistan and the Institute of State and Rights under President of Turkmenistan. The honorary guest was briefed on the tasks set to these institutions in the new historical epoch to achieve the strategic goal – building a secular jural democratic state.

Addressing those present the Croatian President emphasized that at the height of the progressive reforms Turkmenistan had a major requisite for accomplishing the designated plans that was stability and concord in the society united with the idea of creation and development. Stjepan Mesci called for establishing the close contacts between the public and state institutions of both countries, exchange of experience and constructive co-operation for the benefit of Turkmen and Croatian peoples.

Then the Croatian President visited the Ashgabat Textile Complex – the leading enterprise of Turkmenistan’s textile industry – the young and very promising sector of national economy. Then Stjepan Mesic visited the Ahalteke Horse Breeding Complex, where Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov greeted him cordially. The leader of the friendly state walked around the grandiose complex without the analogues in the world situated at the picturesque foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains.

On the emerald field of the hippodrome the horse breeders and trainers held the exercising of the elite fast horses of the legendary breed – the multifold winners of the prestigious international competitions and exhibitions. The jockeys demonstrated the brilliant technique of trick riding handed down from generation o generation.

Then the Presidents’ corteges headed for the Ashgabat International Airport. Biding farewell the leaders of both countries exchanged the wishes of good health, success and welfare to the two friendly peoples. The Croatian President cordially thanked his Turkmen colleague for the hospitality and heartfelt welcome and said that he sincerely hoped for meeting in Zagreb.

In the evening the Croatian President left Ashgabat.