(Ashgabat) – The Third meeting of the Joint Emirati-Turkmenistan Political Consultation Committee began in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Human Rights and International Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Matiev Berdenaaz, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan.
Ahmed Al Hameli, Director of West Asia Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, attended the meeting.
The two sides discussed various aspects of co-operation between the two friendly countries and ways to enhance them, especially in the investment, energy, transportation, communication and cultural and educational exchange fields, which would contribute to serving mutual interests. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.
Al Jarman said that the UAE – led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan – gives prime attention to developing ties with Turkmenistan in all domains while indicating that relations between the two countries are based on strong pillars of understanding and joint interests and are witnessing significant development thanks to the will of the leaders of both countries.
He also expressed satisfaction at the recently signed Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Memorandum of Understating, MoU, on mutual exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic, VIP, and special passports between the two sides, which confirmed the growing bilateral relations in a manner that enhances joint co-operation.
He also called for benefiting from the competitive potentials and the remarkable growth achieved by economies of the two countries in order to expand the base of mutual co-operation and ways to enhance it in the economic, commercial and cultural fields and encourage exchange of visits of official delegations to take advantage of the advanced and stimulating potentials that will contribute to promoting them in various fields so as to meet the aspirations of the two friendly peoples.
In turn, Berdenaaz said that bilateral relations are given special attention by President of Turkmenistan, while lauding the UAE’s overall cultural boom in all political, economic, cultural, and social sectors, which have made it an important economic and trade centre, a key investment destination for global and regional companies and a leading hub in the infrastructure, alternative energy sources and sustainable development domains.
He also noted that the UAE is a role model in the region, while praising the role being played by the country in the international humanitarian arena and its effective efforts to alleviating current humanitarian crises.
He expressed Turkmenistan’s aspiration to build a long-term partnership with the UAE, which will expand horizons of co-operation in all fields between the two countries.
The two sides stressed the importance of continuous co-ordination and consultation between the two countries on issues of joint interest in various regional and international events, especially at the United Nations and its specialised organisations.
On the sidelines of the meetings, Al Jarman met with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and discussed efforts being made at national, regional and international levels to counter terrorism and extremism while stressing the need for finding lasting solutions to the exacerbating crises in the region so as to enhance regional and world security and stability.
