Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates coordinate positions on wide-range cooperation
On 21 August, Abu Dhabi hosted the second round of political consultations between Turkmenistan and UAE at the level of deputy foreign ministers, report the Ministry of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan and Emirati media. The parties analyzed the progress in the implementation of interstate agreements. To date, more than 33 legal instruments regulate multidirectional interaction between governments and sectors of the two countries. On the political level, the Turkmen-UAE relations show a stable dynamics of mutual interest and support. One of the vectors of Turkmenistan's foreign policy is the strengthening of friendly relations with the countries of the Middle East, including with UAE. In turn, the leadership of UAE appreciates the policy of positive neutrality and Turkmenistan's international initiatives on sustainable energy, security and transport. The countries closely cooperate on the platform of regional and international organizations, primarily the UN and its specialized agencies. The dialogue on political topics was logically continued by discussion of trade and economic component of the partnership, which steadily grows in such areas as industry, agriculture, transport and communications, construction, health, medical industry, tourism. The exchange of opinions on prospects of bilateral cooperation became a part of meeting held by Turkmen delegation with minister of state, Managing Director for the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee Ms.Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi. The UAE ranks stable fifth position in the ranking of Turkmenistan's foreign trade partners. Over the past decade, trade turnover between the two countries has increased almost six-fold and exceeds US $ 1.5 billion. According to news reports of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan, Turkmen oil products (diesel fuel, aviation and lighting kerosene, motor gasoline, heating oil, technical iodine) and textiles, including smooth-colored and jacquard terry products in assortment, flannel, cotton yarn, cotton wool, denim are in high demand among Emirati business circles. Turkmenistan imports manufacturing machinery, vehicles, various equipment, pharmaceutical products, plastic and rubber products, black, non-ferrous metals and metal products, foodstuffs from the UAE. The traditional sphere of bilateral interest is the fuel and energy sector. The subsidiary of the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) “Dragon Oil” has invested over US $ 6 billion in the development of oil and gas fields in the Cheleken contract area on the Turkmen shelf of the Caspian Sea. By the way, “Dragon Oil”, having joined the Games “Ashgabat-2017” as an official partner, is engaged in international sporting event in the life of Turkmenistan. The UAE will be represented at V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games by 55 athletes, who will compete in track and field, billiards, bowling, cycling, chess, jiu-jitsu and futsal.
