In the morning, motorcade of high-rank guest went to the Independence Square where the Head of Turkmen state has cordially welcomed Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad.
Official meeting ceremony of the Head of Malaysian Government took place on the square. Commander of the company of the Guard of Honour gave report. The national anthems of Malaysia and Turkmenistan were played. The Leaders of two countries walked along the line of soldiers and paid tribute to the State Flags of two countries.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov introduced members of official delegation of Turkmenistan to the Head of friendly state. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also meet the heads of diplomatic corps accredited in our country. in his turn, high-rank guest introduce members of the Government delegation of Malaysia to Turkmen leader.
In the end of the ceremony, soldiers of the Guard of Honour have marched across the Independence Square. After, the Head of Turkmenistan and high-rank guest went to the Oguzkhan Palace Complex of the President of Turkmenistan.
After traditional photographing ceremony against the background of the State Flagd of two countries, one-on-one talks took place.
Greeting high-rank guest, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the Head of Malaysian Government for accepted invitation to visit Turkmenistan.
The President stated with delight that bilateral dialog has dynamic and steadfast character. This is indicated by regulatory and legal framework, which includes significant number of interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements and contracts.
Partnership in trade and economic sphere has entered to new level, the Head of the State said, having noted the input of Petronas Carigali, which is an old partner of our country in oil and gas section.
Malaysia has been supporting Turkmenistan from the first days of independence, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued, having highlighted that both states work actively under different international structures including under the United Nations, Islamic Cooperation Organization and Non-alignment Movement.
Having noted input of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad into provision of peace and security, the Head of the State wished great success to high rank guest in his responsible activity and wealth and progress to Malaysian people.
Having expressed sincere gratitude for invitation to come to Turkmenistan on official visit and rendered hospitality, the Head of the Government of friendly country expressed his delight with the changes and beauty of the capital since his last visit to Ashgabat.
Describing bilateral trade relations, high-rank guest stated with delight their efficiency as well as efficiency of cooperation in fuel and energy sector where Petronas Carigali has been working successfully for many years. In this context, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed confidence that Turkmen – Malay dialog would be continued to develop in different directions.
Having mentioned humanitarian sphere among priority vectors of Interstate cooperation, the Head of the Government of friendly country highlighted the importance of strengthening of contacts in education, science and tourism. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad noted that cooperation in these spheres is to become a connecting bridge between two countries.
Having expressed gratitude again to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for cordial welcome, high-rank guest addressed best wishes to all Turkmen people.
During the talks, which were held in the atmosphere of understanding and business-like environment, the sides discussed current situation and perspectives of Turkmen – Malaysian relations in the context of priority directions taking into account modern realities.
The interlocutors have also exchanged the opinions on current subjects of regional and international politics, which present mutual interest.
After, the talks were continued in extended format with participation of the members of Government delegations.
Warmly greeting Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to high-rank guest for accepted invitation to come to Turkmenistan on official visit.
Having expressed confidence that current meeting would be an important stage on the way to strengthening of bilateral relations, the President stated with delight dynamic, beneficial and long-term character of interstate cooperation as well as successful cooperation in foreign policy sphere on bilateral basis and under international organizations.
Partnership between Turkmenistan and Malaysia in trade and economic sectors is based on years of experience. Good traditions have been formed in these spheres. Big work is carried out for establishment of close relations in humanitarian sphere.
Having noted the efficiency of the meeting with the Prime Minister, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that willingness of the sides to efficient use of all available capabilities for strengthening of Turkmen – Malaysian relations and bringing of them to new level has been confirmed.
Having highly appreciated support of our foreign policy and initiatives of our country by Malaysia, the Head of the State said that this friendly country was the co-author of projects of energy security and cooperation in transport as well as Draft Resolutions on neutrality of Turkmenistan from 1995 and 2015, on declaration of 2021 as International Year of Peace and Trust, which have all been unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, proposed by Turkmenistan.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to Malaysian side for such responsible approach.
Having noted that Turkmenistan to observe the 25th anniversary of its neutrality next year, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to take part in international forum for peace, security and sustainable development timed to this date.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated mutual intent to cooperation under such competent organizations as the Non-alignment Movement and Islamic Cooperation Organization.
Turkmenistan pays special attention to development of partnership with Asian Pacific countries, having outlined this direction as strategic course of its foreign policy and foreign economic activity.
Noting the importance of activity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the President of the country highlighted that there are wide opportunities for cooperation between Turkmenistan and this Association. In this regard, willingness to review various options of closer partnership in specific directions has been expressed.
Speaking of Turkmen – Malaysian relations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that traditionally, special attention is paid to trade, economic and humanitarian spheres.
Investment project with participation of Malaysian Petronas Carigali, cooperation with which has a long-term and beneficial character, is successfully implemented in oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan, the President continued.
Having outlined textile industry among perspective vectors, the Head of the State highlighted that expansion of delivery of production of this industry to Malaysian market is under consideration.
At present time, the system of national textile industry has modern facilities making quality production from local materials, which meet all international standards and on high demand.
Having noted the presence of potential for wide implementation of additional mechanisms of expansion of trade and economic relations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov outlined organization of business forums, exhibitions and meetings of experts as one of such capabilities.
Having reminded that bilateral business forum with participation of representatives of dozens of Malaysian companies and leading branches of the economy of Turkmenistan took place in Kuala Lumpur in 2015, the Head of the State proposed to hold another meeting of business circles in Ashgabat in the first half of 2020.
International transport and logistic systems are able to become a priority for consolidation of joint efforts, the President said, having highlighted that Turkmenistan sees Malaysia as an important partner in this matter.
Together with development of coastal infrastructure of Turkmenistan, its national commercial fleet is actively renovated. Ship repair and building yard together with port facilities have been built in Turkmenbashy, the Head of the State continued, having noted that he thinks it to be appropriate to discuss cooperation in ship building taking into account the experience of Malaysia in this field.
Digital economy is another perspective direction for bilateral cooperation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, having highlighted that Malaysia is among advanced countries in the world by implementation of information and communication technologies. In this regard, mutual intent to establish a long-term cooperation has been expressed.
Humanitarian sphere, which has huge potential for expansion of productive contacts in science, culture and art, is an important direction of Turkmen – Malaysian relations.
Elaborating on this subject, the Head of the State made special mention that positive experience has been collected in educational sphere and in training of qualified specialists. Our students go to friendly country to receive high education every year.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has also noted that Turkmenistan pays great attention to establishment of direct contacts between scientific institutes of two countries.
Tourism, where Malaysia has big experience, is another perspective direction of partnership, the Head of the State noted, having expressed interest in its study and application in Turkmenistan.
Establishment of direct air flights between the capitals of two countries will support to the growth of tourist routes, Turkmen leader continued.
The Days of Turkmenistan culture were held in Malaysia in December 2015 under humanitarian contact, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted, having invited cultural delegation to organize return cultural action in our country.
Official visit of Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad to Turkmenistan is aimed at intensification of bilateral relations and achievement of certain results, the Head of the State said, having expressed confidence that this meeting is a confirmation of mutual intent to bring interstate cooperation to new level.
Having expressed gratitude to high-rank guest for huge personnel contribution to strengthening of peace and partnership between our countries, Turkmen leader address wishes of peace and prosperity to the people of Malaysia.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the opportunity to exchange the visions and to discuss perspective directions of interstate cooperation.
Turkmenistan has significantly changed in economic aspect after its independence, the high-ran guest said, having noted similarity of the ways of development of two friendly countries.
Speaking of cooperation under international organizations, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad highlighted that Malaysia is also a member of the Non-alignment Movement and is strictly adhered to the strategy of non-interference to internal policy of other states and stands against terrorism and other modern challenges.
Having stated with delight similarity of our positions with the policy pursued by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the most urgent problems of international life, the Head of the government of friendly state noted that while being a sovereign state, Malaysia follows chosen course standing for peace in the world.
Having shortly described the policy of his country, which maintain trade relations with 193 countries, the high-rank guest stated the availability of huge potential for further intensification of cooperation with Turkmenistan in different directions.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad highlighted that gained positive experience of joint business partnership in fuel and energy sector based on example of Petronas Carigali, which participates in implementation of beneficial projects in Turkmenistan. Having focused on new beneficial opportunities in processing of natural gas, the high-ran guest expressed hope that new big projects would be implemented in this sphere in future.
Having touched upon the subject of transit to digital economy, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad spoke on the work carried out in this direction by the Embassy of Malaysia and representative of private sector, having expressed willingness to cooperate in this field.
Speaking of importance of coming exhibition of Turkmen production in Malaysia, the high-rank guest highlighted that it would bring trade and economic relations between two countries to new level. Automobile and aircraft building industries, high technology sphere have also been outlined among priority spheres of bilateral partnership.
Significance of the Convention on the Legal Status of Caspian Sea approved by five states, which opens wide opportunities for intensification of Turkmen – Malaysian relations, has also been noted.
Having highlighted humanitarian sphere among priority vectors of interstate dialog, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad stated with delight that Turkmen students study in leading Malaysian universities these days. The willingness to increase the number of students has been expressed.
This visit would give new impulse to development of bilateral cooperation, the Head of the Government of friendly state highlighted, having expressed gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for hospitality and constructive talks as well as, taking opportunity, invited to visit Malaysia at any convenient time.
The invitation was accepted with gratitude. Time of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
Document signing ceremony – the Joint Statement between Turkmenistan and Malaysia, Programme of Cooperation between the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan and the Foreign Ministry of Malaysia in 2020 – 2021, took place after the negotiations.
After the ceremony, the Head of Turkmen state and Head of Malaysian Government made a statement to the press.
Summing up the outcomes of high-level meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to Prime Minster of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad for accepted invitation to come to Turkmenistan on official visit as well as for fruitful talks.
- We have paid special attention to the subjects of strengthening of regional and global security under the UN Charter and international law. Cooperation under the Non-Alignment Movement will be developed gradually. The goals and principles of the Movement have special importance today, in the conditions when conflict arise and situation is destabilized in some regions of the world.
The sides would continue cooperation of the platform of the Islamic Cooperation Organization and consolidate the efforts in combatting terrorism, extremism, transboundary crime and illegal drug trafficking, - Turkmen leader said.
It was mentioned that great attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation during the talks.
- We have agreed to intensify trade and to entry to new level of partnership in oil and gas industry, to establish industrial cooperation, activate collaboration in textile industry and other promising spheres, the President of Turkmenistan said.
Cooperation in the sphere of high technologies taking into account digitization strategy of Turkmenistan as well as in urban construction and banking sphere was a subject of interesting discussion.
According to Turkmen leader, the attention was focused on a dialog in transport and logistic segment, which is provided by beneficial strategic location of two countries.
- We have shared the views on development of international multimodal transport corridors in the North – South and East – West directions. In this regard, I suggest our Malaysian partners to use modern infrastructure of Turkmenbashy International Seaport and to arrange joint work in shipbuilding sphere, the Head of the State said.
The agreements on establishment of regular connection in entrepreneurship have been reached as well as priority of partnership in scientific and education sphere, culture, sport and tourism have been outlined.
Finishing his speech to representatives of mass media, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that Turkmenistan pays great importance to the relations with Malaysia and expressed confidence that interstate dialog would be continued.
Having addressed the Prime Minister and all members of Malaysian delegation with sincere gratitude for fruitful joint work, the Head of Turkmen state conveyed his best wishes to the people of friendly country.
In his turn, the Prime Minister of Malaysia speaking to the mass media, highlighted fruitful character of the talks, during which the commitment of two countries to friendship and fraternity has been confirmed, improvement of beneficial cooperation in priority directions as well as new projects of partnership, which were outlined by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, have been discussed.
High-rank guest highlighted that Turkmenistan went along the way of progressive changes for the years of its independence.
Policy of two countries is similar; there are matches, which open huge perspective for strengthening of bilateral cooperation, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad continued, having outlined oil and gas sector, processing and textile industry, ship and aircraft building, foreign trade and establishment of closer contacts between business circles of two countries among priority vectors of cooperation.
In this aspect, the importance of organization of joint business forums and exhibitions has been noted. The high-rank guest said that visitors will be interested to familiarize with production of Turkmen facilities at coming exhibition in Malaysia.
Speaking of importance of improvement of contacts between two countries in humanitarian sphere, the Head of the Government of friendly country spoke for organization of mutual Days of Culture supporting an initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which would be another step toward spiritual rapprochement, enhancement of understanding and friendship between Turkmen and Malaysian people.
Prime Minister Mahathir Moahamad has also stated with delight the similarity of foreign strategies of Turkmenistan and Malaysia. At the same time, the necessity of activation of partnership under competent structures including under the Non-alignment Movement was highlighted. The high-rank guest has also mentioned similarity of approaches of our countries to solution of issues of international agenda.
The Head of the Government of friendly state invited the President of Turkmenistan to visit Malaysia at any convenient time.
In the end, the high-rank guest addressed Turkmen leader with wishes of new success in his large-scale government activity and people of Turkmenistan with wishes of prosperity.
After the press conference, the Head of Malaysian Government went to the capital Oguzkhent Hotel where President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave official dinner to the honour of Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad.
