ASHGABAT: Malaysia and Turkmenistan have agreed to strengthen bilateral relations through a more structured, progressive and complementary partnership, guided by strategic interests and long-term benefits for the people of both nations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the commitment was reflected in the agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) exchanged by the two countries following his bilateral meeting with Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the Presidential Palace on Friday (June 19).
Anwar said both sides also reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that all agreed areas of cooperation are implemented in a disciplined, transparent and effective manner.
"I pray that the strong friendship between Malaysia and Turkmenistan will continue to flourish, strengthened by deep trust and mutual respect, Insya-Allah,” he said at a joint Malaysia-Turkmenistan press conference.
Anwar added that he and Berdimuhamedov subsequently led their respective delegations in bilateral talks, during which they held in-depth discussions on relations and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
"Our discussions covered a wide range of sectors, including energy, trade and investment, the halal industry, Islamic banking, education, research, science and technology, tourism, as well as air connectivity,” he said.
The prime minister said the exchange of key documents would serve as a catalyst for strengthening strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Turkmenistan across several priority areas.
Earlier, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of three MoUs and an agreement between Malaysia and Turkmenistan.
The documents included an Air Services Agreement between the Governments of Malaysia and Turkmenistan, as well as an MoU between Malaysia's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of International Relations under Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also exchanged were an MoU between Malaysia's Ministry of Transport and the State Service of Turkmenistan and an MoU between the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.
During the event, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, and President Berdimuhamedov signed a joint statement in conjunction with the Prime Minister's official visit to Turkmenistan.
Anwar’s visit was accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and senior government officials.
The two-day visit, which began on Thursday (June 18), marks Anwar’s first official trip to Turkmenistan since becoming Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister in November 2022.
The visit was undertaken at Berdimuhamedov’s invitation. – Bernama
