On 30 August , the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi.
Expressing his gratitude to the Head of State for his time and hospitality, Toshimitsu Motegi noted that Japan attaches great importance to the development of mutually beneficial relations with Turkmenistan, regarding it as a reliable partner.
The Foreign Minister of Japan conveyed warm greetings from the Emperor of Japan Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag.
Toshimitsu Motegi also expressed his gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the condolences sent in connection with the earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan.
Extending his best wishes in return to the leadership of Japan, the Head of State expressed his confidence that the visit of Toshimitsu Motegi to Turkmenistan will be an important step in the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
It was noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to further development of relations with Japan in the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership between the two countries is of a long-term strategic nature and intergovernmental dialogue is steadily developing on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust.
At present, active Turkmen-Japanese cooperation is continuing not only bilaterally but also within reputable international organizations, primarily the UN.
In this context, the Head of State highlighted the successful cooperation within the framework of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue.
The President of Turkmenistan noted that last year he had a working visit to Japan aimed at participation to the first Summit of the “Central Asia + Japan” Dialogue, during which high-level talks were held and important agreements were reached, emphasizing that he fondly recalls his meetings with the Emperor of Japan Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Toshimitsu Motegi noted that the visits of the President of Turkmenistan to Japan have given a powerful impetus to further development and enrichment of Japan – Turkmenistan cooperation with new content.
During the meeting, the steady development of inter-parliamentary ties between the two countries was also emphasized with satisfaction. Particular attention was paid to the importance of the work carried out by the Turkmen-Japanese Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.
It was noted that bilateral relations encompass the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian and other spheres.
In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the trade and economic sphere is one of the priority areas of the bilateral partnership. The Turkmen-Japanese Committee on Economic Cooperation plays a major role in its development.
Noting that Turkmenistan has accumulated positive experience of long-term cooperation in the gas and chemical sectors with major Japanese companies such as Itochu Corporation, Toyo Engineering Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., the Head of State underlined the wide range of opportunities available to Japanese companies in these fields.
The cultural and humanitarian sphere also plays an important role in strengthening inter-state relations, bringing nations closer together and fostering mutual cultural enrichment. At present, particular attention is being paid to developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan in the field of culture. The organization of reciprocal Days of Culture, exhibitions and other cultural events is a vivid illustration of this.
At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Toshimitsu Motegi expressed their confidence in further strengthening of bilateral cooperation and exchanged best wishes.
