Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, who arrived in Astana on an official visit, held talks with Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The ministers discussed a wide range of issues of Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation, prospects for interaction in the political, trade, economic, transit and transport, energy and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The parties emphasized their commitment to strengthening strategic partnership in the spirit of friendship, good neighborliness and mutual respect, the Foreign Ministry of Kazakhstan reports.

The heads of foreign policy agencies discussed in detail the practical implementation of agreements at the highest level and agreed to facilitate the strengthening of inter-parliamentary and intergovernmental ties.

Particular attention was paid to expanding trade and economic cooperation. Over the past two years, the volume of mutual trade between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan has consistently exceeded $500 million. The parties agreed to take measures to achieve the goal set by the heads of state to bring trade turnover to $1 billion.

Significant potential was noted in the energy and transport sectors. Readiness was expressed to further promote the development of fruitful cooperation in these areas.

The ministers "compared notes" on current aspects of the regional and international agenda, confirmed their interest in working closely in multilateral structures, and providing mutual support in promoting the initiatives of the two states. There was an exchange of verbal notes supporting each other's candidacies in international organizations.

Murat Nurtleu congratulated the Turkmen side on the start of the International Year of Peace and Trust, declared by the UN General Assembly at the initiative of Turkmenistan.

The foreign ministers stressed the importance of further developing regional cooperation, joint efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Central Asia, including within the framework of Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

ORIENT