Talks between President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Ashgabat

On August 24 King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein arrived in the Turkmen capital on the official visit. It is the first visit of Jordan’s King to Turkmenistan marking the beginning of a new stage in the development of the traditionally friendly bilateral relations.

At Ashgabat International Airport decorated with the national flags of the friendly countries Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov and other officials greeted the honorary guest.

From the airport the guest’s cortege headed for the central city square.

On the square in front of the Presidential Palace President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cordially welcomed King Abdullah II. The leaders of the two countries shook hands and entered the Palace. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov introduced the members of the Turkmen government delegation and the heads of the diplomatic mission accredited to Turkmenistan. King Abdullah II introduced the members of the government delegation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Upon concluding the official ceremony the one to one Turkmen-Jordanian top level talks were held.

Greeting cordially Abdullah II in the Turkmen land Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked Jordan’s King for accepting the invitation to pay an official visit to Ashgabat. Emphasizing that he was very glad to receive the honorary Jordanian guest in Ashgabat the Turkmen leader said that this visit was viewed in Turkmenistan as a historical event, an important step towards further developing interested intergovernmental partnership

Cordially thanking Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for inviting to visit Turkmenistan and the heartfelt welcome Abdullah II emphasized that he was very glad of an opportunity to visit Ashgabat and to have another meeting with the Turkmen leader with whom he had established the sincere, trust relations. The honorary guest spoke warmly about his first meeting with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Astana this July that had initiated the constructive dialogue between both leaders who had expressed the goodwill of their peoples to strengthen the ties of friendship and co-operation.

Highly appreciating the prospects and potential of Turkmen-Jordanian partnership the honorary guest expressed belief that the current top level talk would become a landmark in the history of the intergovernmental relations bound with the traditions of spiritual kinship of the two fraternal nations.

During the talks held in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and confidence the sides exchanged views on the broad range of the issues of bilateral co-operation, spe4cified the priority fields of partnership and discussed the short and long-range opportunities of concerting efforts. Reaffirming the mutual endeavours of Turkmenistan and Jordan to establish the effective ties in all spheres Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and King Abdullah II stated with satisfaction the complete concurrence or similarity of views on the current tissues of regional and international policies, first of all, maintenance of peace, security and sustainable development.

The Turkmen leader emphasized that in the new historical epoch the relations between the two countries and peoples had been filled with new content. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was among the first countries to recognize independence of Turkmenistan to establish the diplomatic relations. Jordan was among the first countries to support Turkmen neutrality providing support to Turkmenistan’s constructive, peacemaking initiatives in the framework of the authoritative international organisations including the United Nations. In this regard Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to Jordan and personally Abdullah II for understanding and assisting Turkmenistan’s endeavours to achieve common welfare and global security. The President emphasized that Turkmenistan had a profound respect for the well-balanced policy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan aimed at harmonizing the international relations and highly appreciated its contribution to strengthening peace and stability in Middle East. In this context the sides called for further enhancing collaboration in the framework of the United Nations.

Abdullah II emphasized that the ongoing reforms and changes in Turkmenistan were of keen interest to the people of Jordan who sincerely rejoiced at the Turkmen brothers’ accomplishments. Putting emphasis on the significance of the large-scale reforms initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Jordan’s King said that this progressive policy had won Turkmenistan the high international prestige and confidence and sympathy worldwide with the Turkmen state and its leader and people.

Touching upon bilateral co-operation the sides called for comprehensive development of the trade and economic relations based on complimentarity of the economies of Turkmenistan and Jordan. The fuel and energy sector, industry including petrochemistry, textile and construction industries, agriculture, the banking and investment spheres were mentioned as the priority fields of co-operation. The Turkmen President and Jordan’s King noted the importance of establishing the close contacts between the business circles.

Touching upon co-operation in the fuel and energy sector Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that hydrocarbon rich Turkmenistan implemented the long-term development strategy based on wide international co-operation and diversification of energy export to the world markets.

The sphere of transport and communication was mentioned as a mutually advantageous field of co-operation on the basis of the regional and international large-scale projects on the east-west and north-south transport corridors initiated by Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the Jordanian companies to collaborate in these projects.

The opportunities of establishing the fruitful contacts in the sphere of sport and tourism were a focus of the top level talks. In this regard Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov touched upon the Avaza National Project on the establishment of a world-class resort on the Caspian Sea coast and the infrastructure development programmes including construction of modern health-improving centres.

The sides focused on humanitarian co-operation, first of all, in the spheres of education, science and health care – of paramount importance for both countries. The Turkmen leader and Jordan’s King called for enhancing and expanding the cultural contacts between the two fraternal peoples bound with the common historical and spiritual kinship.

Stating the mutual intention to maintain and enhance the constructive dialogue the sides agreed to prepare the bilateral documents on co-operation covering the priority fields of mutually advantageous partnership. In this context the sides expressed mutual interested in opening the embassies of Turkmenistan and Jordan.

King Abdullah II invited Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to come the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on an official visit. The invitation was accepted with gratitude. The dates of the visit would be adjusted through the diplomatic channels.

Upon concoludign the meting the heads of the two countries expressed belief that the Turkmen-Jordanian relations would be successfully developed on the basis of both countries’ goodwill, profound economic and resource potential as well as the desire to employ this potential for the common benefit.

The Joint Communiqué was issued upon the results of the official visit of the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Turkmenistan

On behalf of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov an official dinner was given in honour of the King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein

Upon concluding the reception the leaders of the two countries bade cordial farewell and exchanged the wishes of peace, wellbeing and prosperity to the peoples of Turkmenistan and Jordan. Cordially thanking Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the hospitality and heartfelt welcome Jordan’s King expressed belief that he would have a meeting with the Turkmen leader in Amman in the nearest future.

In the evening King Abdullah II left Ashgabat.