Turkmenistan's new president stresses importance of strengthening ties with China

Turkmenistan is proud of its friendship with China and sees the importance of strengthening and expanding ties with China, Turkmenistan's President Gurbungali Berdymukhamedov said on Thursday.

Berdymukhamedov, who was sworn-in on Wednesday following his victory in Sunday's presidential vote, said in an interview with Chinese reporters that he believes "Turkmenistan and China will remain close friends and reliable partners forever."

Turkmenistan "will steadfastly adhere to the policy of permanent neutrality," which was set by former President Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in December, the president said.

That policy serves as the basis for developing relations with other countries and has won support from other nations and international organizations, he added.

Turkmenistan will devote itself to developing bilateral relations with other countries and international organizations, while "developing friendly ties with China has a special status in Turkmenistan's foreign policy," Berdymukhamedov said.

According to the president, in the 21st century, Asia will play a leading role in international politics and economics, with China playing an important part in that, as China currently enjoys a stable society, long-lasting economic development, and an improved social welfare system.

The partnership of Turkmenistan and China has a solid foundation, which not only benefits both countries, but also does good for the whole region, Berdymukhamedov said.

Turkmenistan and China have shared the same positions on major international issues such as peace and security, and have cooperated actively on the international stage, the new president said.

The two countries have seen cooperation deepening in areas such as politics, economics, trade, culture, agriculture, energy, transport and communication, he mentioned.

Leaders of the two countries have exchanged visits regularly and signed dozens of intergovernmental agreements, which laid the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation, the president added. Niyazov's visit to China in 2006 elevated bilateral ties to a new level, he said.

The president pledged to push forward bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples and expressed hope that more major Chinese companies enter the Turkmen market and carry out joint work in agriculture, textile industry, science, culture, education and healthcare.

Aware the traditional Chinese New Year is coming, President Berdymukhamedov expressed festive wishes to the Chinese people, wishing them a happy and healthy new year.

Source: Xinhua