Great Britain welcomes Turkmenistan's plans to expand transport links in Central Asia -Ambassador Thorda Abbott-Watt
“We commend your (Turkmenistan’s) plans to expand transport links to your Central Asian neighbours”, said British Ambassador Thorda Abbott-Watt, inaugurating the reception, hosted by British embassy to Ashgabat in honor of Official Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Briefly overviewing the history of the Great Silk Road, the ambassador noted the importance of this trade and information channel, thanks to which the peoples of the East were enriched with navigation skills, and the West acquired algebra, astronomy, Arabic numerals, printing and papermaking technology. “Merv was world’s second largest city in the 12th century. Only Kaifeng in China itself was larger”, she reminded, stressing Turkmenistan's central role in this most influential corridor. Today, friendly countries, including the United Kingdom, do not see only the bright history and rich cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. “We are looking to the future, when the countries of Central Asia are again linked by both physical and metaphorical roads and bridges, a future which once again encourages the permeability of ideas and innovation and people across borders”, head of British diplomatic mission said. Pointing to the changes taking place in Central Asia, part of which is the modernization of of the Silk Road by land and sea, the Ambassador added: “Just as the camel trains once marched along the foothills of the Kopet Dag, so your (Turkmenistan’s) time to be at the center of events has come again.” Welcoming the transport initiatives of the Turkmen state, as well as the contribution to the equitable sharing of regional water resources through the chairmanship of the International Fund for saving the Aral sea, Great Britain believes the greater openness and understanding that their will bring, are the best guarantee of peace, security and prosperity in Turkmenistan. According to the high-ranking diplomat, all the countries, represented in Ashgabat, would like to join the journey made by Turkmenistan in the modern era. “We have much to learn from your understanding of the dynamics of Central Asia from your unique geographical position at the heart of the region,” Abbott-Watt added, assuring that Britain is and will remain a reliable partner and an honest friend of Turkmenistan. Good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, trade and economic ties, along with support for Turkmenistan's efforts to strengthen stability, peace and prosperity, were highlighted by the Ambassador as key items on the agenda of the Turkmen-British cooperation. On Saturday, 21 April, the Queen celebrated her 92nd birthday. The British monarch, whose full title is “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”, has ruled since 1953.
