National Leader of the Turkmen People Meets with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
On November 3, a meeting took place in Ashgabat between the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Paul Kapur.
During the discussion, the two sides noted the multifaceted nature of Turkmen-American relations, which are based on the principles of respect, trust, and mutual understanding. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his appreciation to the American side for its consistent support of Turkmenistan’s state sovereignty and its status of permanent neutrality. In turn, Paul Kapur highly commended the constructive role of the country’s neutral foreign policy in strengthening regional stability, as well as its effective engagement with the United Nations.
Particular attention was paid during the meeting to the dynamics of the political and diplomatic dialogue. The importance of regular high-level and top-level contacts—including working visits and multilateral consultations within the "Central Asia – USA" ("C5+1") format—was underscored. The parties noted the productive nature of interagency cooperation between the foreign affairs ministries of the two countries.
Regarding trade and economic relations, the participants highlighted a long-standing, successful track record of cooperation with leading American corporations, such as Jack Nicklaus Design, John Deere, Case New Holland, and Boeing, as well as the effective work of the Turkmenistan-US Business Council.
In discussing energy and transport security, the National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasized a strategy for diversifying supply routes and expressed gratitude to the United States for its support of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline project.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further expanding their practical partnership, including the deepening of cultural, humanitarian, and educational ties.
