Official visit of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

On the morning of March 16, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov went on a two-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. An official arrival ceremony for the President of Turkmenistan was held at the “Nur Khan” airbase in Islamabad, adorned with the two friendly countries’ State Flags. Upon arrival, the eminent Turkmen guest was greeted by the Guard of Honor, who lined up along the carpet, leading from the stair ramp, and a twenty-one-gun salute.

At the airport, the head of Turkmenistan was cordially welcomed by Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

In the morning, after the official welcome ceremony, the President of Turkmenistan and the head of government of Pakistan held talks in the one-to-one format in the Government House.

During the talks, the Turkmen leader and the Prime Minister of Pakistan discussed various issues of interstate cooperation, clearly defined approaches to working out a long-term strategy towards efficient interaction in different economic sectors. The fuel-energy and transport-communications sectors were named as the key areas of the Turkmen-Pakistani partnership in the context of new prospects. The parties spoke unanimously for advancing a fruitful dialogue in the humanitarian-cultural field, establishing closer contacts in the fields of education, science, healthcare, sport and tourism.

A separate topic of discussion was the topical issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest.

Then the talks continued in the conference hall with the participation of Turkmenistan’s and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s government delegations.

Noting the concurrence of Turkmenistan’s and Pakistan’s positions on vital international issues, in particular, concerning combined efforts for peace and sustainable development, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that the constructive cooperation in this direction in full meets generally accepted standards and national interests.

Having confirmed our country’s strong interest in further expansion of the equitable and mutually advantageous economic ties with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the need to use the Joint Intergovernmental Turkmen-Pakistani Commission (whose activity is aimed to open up new possibilities for partnership) as an effective mechanism in the bilateral trade-economic relations.

Stating the availability of enormous potential for cooperation between the two countries in different branches of economy, first of all, in the fuel-energy and transport-communications sectors, the parties emphasized the importance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, which is not only beneficial to our countries, but also has great regional significance. Having noted the effectiveness of the ongoing efforts to successfully implement the large project in the near future, the Turkmen leader and the Prime Minister of Pakistan expressed confidence that much work would be done in this field on the basis of mutual support and trust.

Pending the issue of the Turkmen-Pakistani partnership prospects, the head of Turkmenistan and the head of government of Pakistan highlighted high strategic importance of international transport and communications corridors to our states. In this connection, the parties spoke for holding regular talks between the two countries’ delegations to expand relations in the fields of transport and communications, as well as considered the possibilities for cooperation in the creation of a multimodal transport system.

Having underlined the paramount importance of fostering the cultural relations between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif outlined education, science, art and creative work, and sport as priority areas.

The Turkmen leader invited the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan whenever it would be convenient to him. The invitation was gratefully accepted.

A ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held upon completion of the talks.

To the applause of the ceremony attendees, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov affixed their signatures to the Joint Communiqué.

The documents signed are: the 2016-2017 Program of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Turkmenistan and the Financial Monitoring Unit of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the field of information exchange on legalization (laundering) of illegally obtained incomes and financing of terrorism; the Memorandum of Understanding on further cooperation in the fuel and energy sector between the Ministry of Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; the Memorandum of Understanding between the Magtymguly Turkmen State University (Turkmenistan) and the National University of Modern Languages (Islamic Republic of Pakistan); the Memorandum of Understanding between the International University of Humanities and Development (Turkmenistan) and the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (Islamic Republic of Pakistan); the Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (Islamic Republic of Pakistan); the Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkmen State Institute of Economy and Management (Turkmenistan) and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (Islamic Republic of Pakistan); the Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Center for Policy Studies, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (Islamic Republic of Pakistan).

After the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister of the friendly country and the Turkmen leader made a statement for the press.

As noted, the talks centered on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

During the talks, a detailed exchange of opinions was held on the ways to further develop the Turkmen-Pakistani cooperation, the nation’s leader said, having highlighted that the parties spoke in favor of creating new possibilities for large projects with the participation of our countries, while taking advantage of the favorable conditions currently available. The strengthening of bilateral trade-economic relations also received a mention. Having noted the fast-growing mutually beneficial interstate partnership in the fuel and energy sector, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov underlined the immense significance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

The project implementation will bring the countries closer together and will serve as a bridge of friendship and brotherhood between the nations. The pipeline will deliver natural gas to heat people’s homes in the neighboring and fraternal countries, will provide vast opportunities for their further economic growth, and will contribute to the Pakistani people’s well-being and job creation, the head of Turkmenistan said.

The head of state also identified culture, science and education as priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan, having noted excellent prospects in this field. In the afternoon, the President of Turkmenistan met with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Highly appraising the interstate dialogue which had been successfully advancing in the bilateral and multilateral format over the last few years, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq confirmed the parties’ mutual willingness to give fresh impetus to the fruitful partnership.

In the course of the meeting, conducted in a warm and friendly atmosphere, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan gave the high guest an insight into the history and traditions of his country’s parliamentary system, in his turn the President of Turkmenistan introduced the Speaker to the activity of the Turkmen parliament, aimed to promote the great reforms ongoing in all segments of the modern Turkmen society.

Stressing once again the importance of the bilateral agreements reached in Islamabad and their speedy practical implementation, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the head of Mejlis of Pakistan expressed a shared opinion on the need to deepen the interparliamentary cooperation, which facilitates progressive development of the Turkmen-Pakistani relations on the whole.

Having mentioned the humanitarian sphere as an integral component of the modern interstate dialogue, which is mainly due to historical, cultural and spiritual commonality of the two neighboring peoples, the Turkmen leader and the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan congratulated each other on upcoming joyous spring Novruz Holiday that has been celebrated by the peoples of the East for many centuries.

Then the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the “Aiwan-e-Sadr” Presidential Palace. At the main entrance of the Palace, the nation’s leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov was heartily welcomed by President of the friendly state Mamnoon Hussain. The Presidents of Turkmenistan and Pakistan exchanged a warm handshake and entered the Palace.

After posing for photographs against the two countries’ State Flags in the “Working Office” of the President of Pakistan, the two leaders held top-level Turkmen-Pakistani talks in the one-to-one format.

During the meeting, conducted in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Mamnoon Hussain noted with satisfaction progressive dynamics of the Turkmen-Pakistani relations, having confirmed the two countries’ unchanged willingness to bring them to a qualitatively new level, which fits modern-day requirements and the diverse potential for partnership.

The parties also exchanged opinions on a range of topical regional and international policy issues of mutual interest.

Then, the talks continued in the “Meeting Hall” with the participation of the two countries’ official delegations.

Having emphasized the adherence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to full-scale partnership with Turkmenistan, President Mamnoon Hussain indicated the Pakistani side’s strong interest both in expanding the productive interstate cooperation in the trade-economic field, and deepening the traditional deep-rooted humanitarian-cultural contacts. The energy sector is also an important area of the Turkmen-Pakistani partnership. The transnational Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, which is of great significance not only to the participating countries, but also to the entire region, serves as a dramatic example of successfully combined efforts.

Our country regards Pakistan as a promising trade-economic partner, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said, having pointed out the availability of vast potentialities for strengthening the mutually advantageous cooperation in different economic sectors and boosting the bilateral trade turnover. This will significantly benefit from the agreements reached by Turkmenistan and Pakistan, which are soon to be put into practice.

In the course of the meeting, special consideration was given to the outcomes of the talks between the President of Turkmenistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the agreements reached, which demonstrate the two countries’ desire to deepen and diversify the mutually advantageous partnership in the full spectrum of areas. The parties indicated the availability of favorable potentialities for enhancing cooperation in the trade-economic, energy, industrial, transport and communications, and a number of other sectors. The Joint Intergovernmental Commission is destined to play a significant role in it as an effective mechanism for designating new future-oriented areas and introducing new forms of cooperation.

At the same time the two leaders stressed the importance of fostering the bilateral humanitarian-cultural relations with their rich history and long-standing traditions, which have found their worthy continuation in the contemporary epoch. The development of close mutually beneficial contacts in the field of sport is also seen as a high-priority area.

Ending the talks, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Mamnoon Hussain confirmed the willingness of Turkmenistan and Pakistan to further advance the productive cooperation, which meets the two countries’ interests and goals of well-being and sustainable development in the region.

Then, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ascended the fifth floor of the “Aiwan-e-Sadr” Palace and proceeded to a conference hall to take part in the ceremony of conferring the title of “Doctor Emeritus of Political Science” of the “Quaid-e-Azam” University (Islamic Republic of Pakistan) on the President of Turkmenistan.

Representatives of Pakistan’s scientific community, the teaching staff, students, and Turkmenistan’s official delegation members gathered for the occasion.

Vice-Chancellor Javed Ashraf introduced the audience to the large-scale scientific activities of the President of Turkmenistan, an initiator of the ongoing fundamental reforms, aimed at raising the Turkmen science to a new, yet higher level, and promoting mutually profitable international cooperation in the field.

Unanimously approved by the University Academic Council members, the resolution on bestowing the title of “Doctor Emeritus of Political Science” of the “Quaid-e-Azam” University on President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov was announced in a particularly solemn atmosphere. The Turkmen leader was honored with this high title for his great personal contribution to the strengthening of the friendly fraternal relations between the Turkmen and Pakistani peoples, and his outstanding achievements in the development of bilateral relations in science and education.

To thunderous applause of the ceremony attendees, President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain presented the Turkmen leader with the certifying diploma.

Greeting the people assembled, the head of Turkmenistan underlined that he regards this fact as recognition of the achievements made by the Turkmen people, who work diligently for the benefit of mankind, and as a token of the high level of relations between our countries.

The main objective of the wide-ranging socio-economic reforms ongoing in Turkmenistan is to place our independent country on a par with modern and highly developed states, the Turkmen leader said.

Stimulation and support for young scientists in theoretical and practical research activities in key fields of science, advances in computer systems and information technologies are also among priority tasks. To this end, steps have been taken to modernize the national legislation in the within-said spheres and set state educational standards. Close international relations in the field and direct contacts with leading foreign higher education institutions have been established in recent years. It is important to note that the Turkmen-Pakistani cooperation in this area has proved remarkably effective. Turkmenistan is always open to fruitful collaboration with foreign partners, which is aimed at developing the country’s education system.

President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized in his speech that the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project serves as a vivid illustration of the intensification of cooperation between the two countries. The pipeline will supply natural gas to heat the Pakistani people’s homes. The successful project implementation will create excellent possibilities for the country’s economic growth and will encourage regional and global development, the Turkmen leader said.

On the final day of the Turkmen leader’s official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President of Turkmenistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan visited one of the country’s most popular mountain resorts in Mari (about 50 km away from Islamabad), the location of the Pakistani Prime Minister’s residence. Here, a presentation was given on future-oriented projects, aimed to create a transport-communications system between Pakistan and the countries of Central Asia.

In this connection, consideration was given to key directions for the existing transport system expansion through the construction of new trunk lines and highways to get access to the Indian Ocean via the ports of Pakistan and to establish trade routes from Asia to the Near East, Europe and back at minimal cost to partner countries.

To this end, Pakistani specialists are currently developing four main routes to connect the ports of Karachi and Gwadar with the countries of Central Asia. Two of these transport corridors will directly link Pakistan and Turkmenistan by overland routes.

Of particular interest is the project for the construction of highways (as well as railway tracks in prospect) along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, which will be a strategic direction for the entire region as a large gas transmission system.

Upon completion of the presentation, the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the Islamabad International Airport and the Turkmen leader departed for his home country.

The conference center of Islamabad’s “Ramada” Hotel hosted a business forum with the participation of representatives of state institutions and business circles of Turkmenistan and Pakistan. It was timed to coincide with the official visit of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Among those attending the forum were Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan, Chairman of the Board of Investment Miftah Ismail, Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority S. M. Muneer, a representative of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Honorary Consul of Turkmenistan in Karachi Muhammad Yaqub Tabani, and others, as well as representatives of some 70 firms and large companies, specializing in the oil and gas sector, healthcare and medical industry, food industry, construction, sport, textile industry, agriculture, etc. Managing Director of “Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited” and Director of “Maknom” Group Company Hamid Mahmud Raj were among Pakistani businessmen.

The Turkmen delegation included representatives of various ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Water Economy, the Ministry of Industry, the “Turkmengas” State Concern, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the State Sports Committee, the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union of Turkmenistan.

Prior to the business forum, Pakistani participants attended an exhibition arranged by the Turkmen side. It featured goods made in our country, including high-quality textiles, magnificent carpets and carpet products and demonstrated the export potential of Turkmenistan’s chemical and industrial sectors.

During the meeting, Pakistani businessmen were informed about the Turkmen economy’s growing potential, the progressive reforms, which have been carried out in different sectors in recent years, investment- and business-favored conditions created in our country, new opportunities for foreign companies to participate in large-scale national and international projects.

Speakers stated the presence of a wide field for the productive interstate cooperation and discussed proposals on its advancement.

An increase in trade turnover between the two countries, expansion of the assortment of goods, and investment cooperation were the key issues the forum centered on.

The forum participants stressed the availability of vast opportunities for developing direct business contacts between state institutions and enterprises in the industrial sector. This is investment in high-tech sectors of the economy, such as the power industry, communications and networks, the agricultural processing and food industries.

The intensification of partnership in the textile industry (which is of special interest to both countries) was brought up for detailed discussion as well.

The forum attendees also highlighted that the trade-economic cooperation opens up excellent prospects for small and medium-sized businesses, given the rates of the private sector development in Turkmenistan.

Within the framework of the forum, held in a businesslike and constructive manner, bilateral meetings of representatives of our country’s ministries and agencies, state and private companies were held with their Pakistani colleagues, on the instructions of the nation’s leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, to discuss the issues of cooperation in the context of new contracts, and potential areas of further cooperation.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)