Turkmenistan - EU: to the Full-Scale Co-Operation on the Basis of the Constructive Dialogue
Topic: Foreign Relations
May 13, 2005. Yesterday the Turkmen capital was a place of holding the 6th sitting of the European Union – Turkmenistan Joint Commission. A representative delegation of the European Commission and the EU countries headed by the head of the Directorate General for External Relations Huge Patrick Mingarelli took part in the meeting.

The Turkmen party was represented by a governmental delegation whose members were approved by the corresponding resolution of the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov.

As it is known, a new stage of the co-operation between Turkmenistan and the EU began in November 2003 when President Saparmurat Niyazov sent a message to the address of the EU President, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy Silvio Berlusconi and the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi and confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness for development of the constructive dialogue and fruitful co-operation in the international interests and welfare. As the head of the state stressed, Turkmenistan was always open for co-operation with the European structures on the basis of the concrete and efficient joint actions on a wide range of the issues including those of human dimension.

The dialogue on the priorities and prospects of the partnership between Turkmenistan and the European Community serving the aims of strengthening the potential of peace, good will and international co-operation was also continued during the present meeting.

The parties exchanged their views on the issues of mutual interest. The representatives of the European Commission specially stressed the growing interest of the European structures in the possibility of establishing a full-scale dialogue with Turkmenistan and expressed their support of the further strengthening trade and economic relations and realisation of the joint programmes and projects.

Practical steps made by Turkmenistan for stirring up the relations with the EU and the EU countries were highly appreciated by the Joint Commission members. Noting the high rates of the economic growth of Turkmenistan, the European partners called that factor a basic one for efficient fulfilment of the reforms both in the sphere of socio-economic development of the country and that of improvement of the democratic institutions of the state government.

Stressing the special significance of the Ashgabat forum in the context of the further strengthening the mutually advantageous relations between the EU and Turkmenistan, its participants stated the necessity of the regular contacts for the purpose of forming an efficient model of co-operation meeting the realia of the time and the spirit of the mutually advantageous and equal partnership.

Commenting on the visit of the EU delegation to Turkmenistan, the head of the Directorate General for External Relations Huge Patrick Mingarelli said: “ It is good that our present visit to Ashgabat was held within the framework of the established dialogue. Recently, we had managed to establish close co-operation in different spheres including agriculture, power engineering and environment protection. The participation of Turkmenistan in the regional TACIS programmes can prove it. As at present we face the common problems and tasks of further development, then our mutual stirring-up of solving those tasks will help us in our efforts to continue the dialogue. I am sure that co-operation between the European Union and Turkmenistan will be steadily strengthened.”

In his turn, the representative of the Duchy of Luxemburg Carlo Krieger said: “ I came to Ashgabat to discuss the theme connected with the human rights and freedoms alongside with the other ones. I consider the initiative of the government of Turkmenistan to be very important and I am sure that by means of the fruitful dialogue we will be able to co-ordinate our positions and find proper solutions.”

State Information Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)

Japanese Embassy Opened in Turkmenistan
Topic: Foreign Relations
Ashgabat, 17 January 2005 (nCa) --- A Japanese delegation led by Ichiro Aisawa, first vice minister of foreign affairs, had a meeting with President Niyazov Monday morning. Later in the day, Aisawa participated in the opening ceremony of Japanese embassy in Ashgabat.

“We are open to mutual cooperation on the basis of equality,” said Niyazov during his talk with the delegation.

“There is wide scope for foreign firms in hundreds of projects,” he said.

He noted that well known Japanese brand names such as Itochu, Mitsubishi, Nichimen and Komatsu were already participating in a number of projects in the country.

Japanese machinery is extensively used in oil and gas, textile and construction sectors in Turkmenistan.

Niyazov told that hydrocarbon sector, textile industry, and chemical processing would remain the engines of growth in the national development plan. “There is great scope for mutual cooperation here,” he stressed.

Aisawa expressed his admiration for the transformation that had taken place in Turkmenistan since its independence.

“The reason for this phenomenal growth is the socio economic model of development adopted by Turkmenistan based on its unique natural potential and favourable geopolitical location,” he said.

“It is quite natural that lots of foreign companies are eager to work here, and Japan is no exception,” Aisawa underlined.

He said that Japan was ready to offer experience and the latest technology to help develop oil and gas complex and other branches of Turkmenistan.

The sides discussed other questions of regional and global interest and exchanged views on reforms in the United Nations.

Niyazov noted that his country’s policy of permanent neutrality was oriented toward broad cooperation at international level.

Later in day, opening ceremony of Japanese embassy took place at Ak-Altyn Plaza Hotel where the mission is located.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, Japan-Turkmenistan cooperation has been increasing every year,” said Aisawa addressing the guests in the ceremony.

“Opening of Japanese embassy in the Turkmen capital is an important step in the ongoing dialogue between the two countries,” he said

Japan hosted a reception in the evening.

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Joint Statement between Turkmenistan and the People's Republic of China
Topic: Foreign Relations
I. At the invitation of Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Niyazov, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China paid a state visit to Turkmenistan from 5 to 7 July 2000.

During the visit, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China and President Niyazov of Turkmenistan held talks. The two leaders had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common concern in a sincere, friendly and business-like atmosphere and reached broad consensus. The two sides believe that President Jiang Zemin's visit to Turkmenistan is a complete success, which brings China-Turkmenistan relations to a new high.

II. The two sides express satisfaction over the vigorous and continued development of cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, trade, scientific and technological, cultural, education, health care and other areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Turkmenistan in January 1992.

The two sides agree that it is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to regional peace, stability and development to further consolidate and develop friendly relations and cooperation of equality and mutual benefits oriented toward the 21st century on the basis of the principles set by the Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan of 6 January 1992, the Joint Communique between the People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan of 21 November 1992 and the Joint Communique on Further Developing and Strengthening Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and Turkmenistan of 31 August 1998.

III. The two sides will continue to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels so as to expand the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in all areas, enrich the content of the relationship and achieve its sustained and stable development in the 21st century.

IV. The two sides agree that the economic cooperation and trade between the two countries have a great potential and broad prospects. The two sides express the willingness to further expand economic cooperation and trade on the basis of equality and mutual benefits to bring them to a level that fits the economic potentials of the two countries. The two countries will, according to domestic laws and bilateral agreements, encourage and protect mutual investment, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the relevant departments of the two countries, create favorable economic, financial, legal and other conditions for the entities of the two countries to conduct economic cooperation and trade and provide necessary support.

V. The two sides attach importance to the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in the area of energy. The Chinese side is ready to actively encourage its enterprises to participate in the exploration, exploitation and marketing of oil and gas resources in Turkmenistan. The two sides agree that based on the actual implementation of China's project of transporting gas produced in the western part to the eastern, they will conduct a feasibility study on the project of constructing a natural gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China.

VI. The two sides will further strengthen their exchanges and cooperation in scientific and technological, cultural, education, health care, press, sports and other areas. The governments of the two countries will create necessary conditions in this regard.

VII. The two sides believe that the ancient "Silk Road" played an important role in developing the friendship between the two peoples and the exchanges between oriental and occidental civilizations. To reinvigorate the "Silk Road" is conducive to promoting the friendly exchanges and cooperation between countries along the way and in the common interests of all countries in the region. The two sides would like to strengthen bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation with all the countries along the "Silk Road" to make efforts to revitalize it.

VIII. The two sides would like to take concrete measures to strengthen cooperation to effectively fight ethnic separatism, terrorism, religious fundamentalism and illegal smuggling of weapons, narcotics and psychedelics, trafficking of illegal immigrants and other criminal activities. To that end, the two sides will not ever allow any organizations or forces to engage in activities that impinge upon the sovereignty, security and stability within their respective boundaries.

IX. The People's Republic of China supports Turkmenistan's positive policy of permanent neutrality and believes it exerts constructive influence on the development of the regional situation.

Turkmenistan reiterates the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory. Turkmenistan is against any motive aimed at creating "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", against "Taiwan independence" and against Taiwan's participation in any international organization where only sovereign states qualify. It reiterates its refraining from establishing any official ties or conducting any official exchanges with Taiwan.

X. The two sides believe that all countries have the right to establish corresponding political, economic and social systems and choose modes of safeguarding and protecting human rights based on national conditions. No country has the right to interfere in other sovereign states' internal affairs under any pretext, including the conduct of impairing other countries' sovereign independence with so-called "the supremacy of human rights over sovereignty" or "humanitarian intervention".

XI. The two sides emphasize that it is of great importance to exchange views on global and regional issues of common concern and express the willingness to strengthen bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation and dedicate themselves to the establishment of a fair and reasonable international political and economic new order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and universally recognized principles of international law.