OREANDA-NEWS. November 26, 2010. President of the Republic of Armenia Serj Sargsyan paid the official visit to Turkmenistan. On November 24, the leaders of the two countries held the top level talks in the Turkmen capital, which spotlighted the mutual willingness to develop full cooperation in the interests of our two states and nations.

In the afternoon, the plane of the President of the Republic of Armenia landed at the Ashgabat International Airport decorated with national flags of the two countries. Brea and salt was offered to the Armenian leader and bouquets of flowers were presented.

The official ceremony of meetings the President of the Republic of Armenia took place there. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly and cordially welcomed his Armenian counterpart at the airport.

Upon concluding the official ceremony, the leaders of the two countries had a brief conversation in the VIP hall of the Ashgabat International Airport. Evaluating highly the dialogue established between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serj Sargsyan focused on the invariable intention of the countries to develop fruitful cooperation that the top level talks in Ashgabat would give new incentives to and fill with a new content.

From the airport the corteges headed for the Oguzkent Hotel in Ashgabat. In the VIP hall of the fashionable hotel the leaders of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia held the one-to-one talks.

Greeting heartily once again his Armenian counterpart, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan viewed this meeting as an important new chapter in the history of the Turkmen-Armenian intergovernmental dialogue. In this regard the Turkmen leader expressed belief that the talks in Ashgabat would enable to identify priority fields of mutually advantageous partnership and fill it with a new content meeting modern realities.

Thanking the Turkmen leader for the heartfelt welcome, the President of Armenia said that Armenia was keenly interested in strengthening traditionally friendly relations with Turkmenistan and intensifying multidimensional cooperation with Turkmen partners.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of aspects and identified the promising vectors of bilateral collaboration as consistent with the existing profound potential for consistent expansion and diversification of fruitful contacts. The leaders of Turkmenistan and Armenia exchanged views on important issues of regional and international politics of mutual interest.

Then the talks were continued in the Congress hall with the participation of the members of the government delegations of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia.

Greeting Cordially the President and members of the delegation of the Republic of Armenia President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that during the conversation the leaders of the two countries had discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, important issues of regional and international politics and exchanged views on further cooperation in fields of mutual interest.

“This is the first visit of highly respected Serj Azatovich as the head of state to Turkmenistan, and we have every reason to believe that it will become a landmark event in the history of relations between Turkmenistan and Armenia, give a proper impetus to intensify bilateral contacts on a qualitatively new level. Both sides have requisites and resources for that,” said the Turkmen leader.

Noting with satisfaction that the meeting with the President of Armenia spotlighted the similarity of approaches taken by the two countries to address global development challenges, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the responsible and consistent position taken by the Republic of Armenia on such a crucial aspect of the global agenda as energy security. “We appreciate the fact that our Armenian friends support Turkmenistan’s initiatives on energy cooperation that we put forward in the framework of at the United Nations,” said the Turkmen leader. The talks in Ashgabat had confirmed the mutual commitment to such key parameters of partnership in energy supplies as equality between producers and consumers, diversification of energy transit, fair price criteria as well as the need for comprehensive safeguards for energy pipeline infrastructures. In this context the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the sides had agreed to continue cooperation in this field.

The President of Turkmenistan noted that it particularly concerned the belief in the need to enhance steadily and maintain global peace, security and stability, further promote broad international and regional cooperation in this area. “We are unanimous that the modern realities dictate the need to develop new, I would rather say, innovative approaches to addressing burning problems of achieving global security in various aspects - political, economic, environmental, energy, food and others,” continued the Turkmen leader. “These aspects are interrelated nowadays, and therefore they require a comprehensive, systematic, universal approach. Concerted efforts of the international community expressed in relevant decisions of the authoritative international organisations are to play a key role.”

In this regard President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the agreement to maintain cooperation between Turkmenistan and Armenia within the framework of international organisations, support constructive proposals and initiatives aimed at improving the global geopolitical and economic architecture and countering modern challenges and threats had been reached.

The leader of Turkmenistan stressed that, in general, the talks had showed that the Turkmen-Armenian political dialogue was developed effectively. The sides found mutual understanding on nearly all issues, and intergovernmental relations were truly friendly, equal and respectful.

Focusing on the resources that both Turkmenistan and Armenia had to expand trade and economic cooperation, not only in the fuel and energy sector, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that statistics showed that the dynamics of trade didn’t reflect the potential of our countries. In this regard the President of Turkmenistan called for build up efforts to increase trade, start a concrete discussion of parameters of bilateral partnership and identify priorities as consistent with promising vectors and projects.

The Turkmen leader focused on Turkmenistan’s interest in cooperation with Armenia in such sectors as machine-building, pharmaceutics, electronic engineering, agriculture and food industry. Noting that Turkmen partners stood ready to discuss in detail the possibilities for implementing joint investment projects and promoting other forms of interaction, the President focused on the need to give new incentives to the joint intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation.

Vast opportunities for partnership were opened up in the transport and communications sectors. This is conditioned by the specificity of the geographical location that let the two countries them play a great role in building transport corridors between Asia and Europe. “In this regard we view Armenia as a promising partner in the framework bilateral relations and as an important link of our cooperation with other regions,” said the Turkmen leader. “In this context we welcome Armenia’s participation in joint transport and communications projects.”

Focusing on the importance of cultural, humanitarian and scientific contacts for interstate cooperation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the history of relations between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Armenia was more than one century old. This was evidenced by extant Turkmen historical monuments located in the territory of Armenia and the pieces of medieval literature that we regarded as our common heritage. Also, this display the layers for joint work for Turkmen and Armenian historians, anthropologists, literary critics to revive the rich heritage of the Turkmen-Armenian historical ties.

Cooperation between the Academies of Sciences of the two countries, educational institutions of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia in training highly qualified specialists and conducting research was deemed to be relevant in the regard. Calling for strengthening and promoting cooperation in the spheres of science and culture, the President confirmed that collaboration in this field would be continued.

Focusing on the importance of the issues put on the agenda of the Turkmen-Armenian talks, the Turkmen leader noted that the agreements reached in Ashgabat confirmed once again that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia had found mutual understanding and confidence and intended to build up efforts to turn bilateral relations into close and long-tern cooperation.

Expressing the wishes of peace and prosperity to the Armenian people, the Turkmen leader thanked the leadership of Armenia and President Serj Sargsyan for contributing substantially to strengthening friendship and cooperation between our two states and nations.

Then the floor was given to President of the Republic of Armenia. Expressing sincere gratitude to the Turkmen leader for the invitation and an opportunity to visit Turkmenistan bound with Armenia with long-standing ties of friendship and fruitful cooperation, Serj Sargsyan said that Turkmen-Armenian relations were enhanced in all fields.

The distinguished guest noted with satisfaction that the views of the two countries on major issues of the global agenda were close or coincided. In this context the President of Armenia expressed belief that the efforts to intensify the bilateral political dialogue, promote trade and economic and business relations, expand scientific and cultural contacts fully met the long-term interests of the two peoples and contributed to strengthening regional security and stability.

Evaluating highly the constructive and sincere atmosphere of the meeting with President of Turkmenistan, the Armenian leader said that particular attention had been paid to the approaches to strengthening bilateral relations. In this regard, Serj Sargsyan expressed belief that through concerting efforts the sides could promote mutually advantageous trade and economic cooperation and give it a new impetus. The guest mentioned a substantial increase in trade between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia last year as an example of successful partnership. The President of Armenia continued that the sides were unanimous that there were huge reserves to enhance bilateral trade which needed to be employed. The textile and carpet exhibition of Turkmenistan and the Turkmen-Armenian business forum in Yerevan and the business forum as well as the commodity exhibition of the Republic of Armenia in Ashgabat were to achieve these goals.

The President of the Republic of Armenia congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people on the 15th anniversary of neutrality of Turkmenistan. In this context Serj Sargsyan said that he acknowledged the importance of Turkmenistan’s standpoints formulated by the Turkmen leader in his speech at the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly as the Strategy of the Future that meant the achievement of a broad and stable international consensus on key aspects of development. The distinguished guest noted that Armenia had supported ardently Turkmenistan’s initiatives, including that on the establishment of the Energy Council under the aegis the United Nations. In this context, Serj Sargsyan reaffirmed that his country stood ready to cooperate in this field.

The coincidence or similarity of views on key international and regional issues was the good groundwork for mutually advantageous cooperation in the global arena, said the leader of Armenia noting that Armenia attached considerable importance to constructive collaboration between the foreign ministries of our countries. Furthermore, Armenia was ready to develop further cooperation with Turkmenistan in the framework of international and regional organisations.

Taking the level of bilateral relations into consideration, President Serj Sargsyan also focused on the appropriateness of intensifying contacts between the lawmaking bodies of the two states.

Touching upon the aspects of economic partnership and focusing on the existence of the great potential to intensify it, the Armenian leader, in particular, said that his country was interested in buying Turkmen electric power. The Armenian leader said that Armenia intended to open a trading house in Ashgabat and stood ready to provide this opportunity to Turkmenistan in Yerevan noting that the intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian commission for economic cooperation was to play an effective role in increasing bilateral trade.

Mentioning the transport sector as one of the promising fields for cooperation, the President of Armenia focused on the importance of the project of the transnational railway corridor North-South initiated by Turkmenistan.

Underscoring considerable importance attached by the sides to humanitarian cooperation based on centuries-old historical and cultural ties between the two nations, Serj Sargsyan proposed to hold the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Armenia and the Days of Culture of the Republic of Armenia in Turkmenistan. Focusing on the significance of promoting cooperation in the spheres of science, education and health care, the President of Armenia shared the view of his Turkmen counterpart on this matter.

In conclusion the Armenian leader cordially thanked the Turkmen people for the warm attitude towards his fellow countrymen who resided in Turkmenistan and had found their second homeland there.

Expressing belief that Turkmen-Armenian relations would be developed further successfully, the leader of the friendly state invited President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia at any convenient time.

This invitation was accepted with gratitude. The dates of the visit would be adjusted through diplomatic channels.

The ceremony of signing bilateral documents took place upon concluding the talks.

The Programme of Cooperation between Magtumguly Turkmen State University and Yerevan State University for the period of 2010-2015; the Agreement on Cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia; the Agreement on Cooperation in Culture between the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, the Agreement on Cooperation in Education between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia; the Agreement on the intergovernmental Turkmen-Armenian commission for economic cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Armenia Serj Sargsyan affixed their signatures to the Joint Communique to the applause of those present.

Upon concluding the signing ceremony, two leaders gave a press conference.

Commenting on the outcomes of the talks held in a constructive atmosphere and in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and equal partnership, the President of Turkmenistan said that the top level talks had reaffirmed that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia were continuously committed to close collaboration meeting the interests of the two countries and spotlighted the existence of the potential required to further the intergovernmental dialogue in various fields.

The Turkmen leader said that the sides had confirmed the mutual willingness to promote peace and stability and create a climate of mutual understanding and confidence in Central Asia and South Caucasus. It was emphasized that intensification of cooperation between the two countries contributed to ensuring global peace, stability and security. Turkmenistan and Armenia had expressed the readiness to develop partnerships in this area in the bilateral format as well as in the framework of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and other authoritative international organisations.

“In this regard,” said the President of Turkmenistan, “we supported the practice of regular visits of government delegations at various levels and exchange of views on aspects of bilateral and multilateral relations.” The sides had agreed to step up efforts to counter new threats and challenges to international security, including terrorism, transnational crime and illicit drug trafficking.

The national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that the Turkmen-Armenian top level talks had strengthened the foundations of qualitatively new and more dynamic trade and economic partnership between Turkmenistan and Armenia. Developing and enhancing bilateral relations in the trade, fuel and energy, transport and communications, agricultural sectors, pharmaceutics, processing and chemical, textile and light industries was deemed most promising. The sides had agreed to intensify cooperation in those fields, said the President of Turkmenistan noting that these talks had resulted in signing the package of documents on cooperation in trade and economy, science and education.

The peoples of Turkmenistan and Armenia were bound with long-standing ties of friendship, mutual respect and sympathy, continued the President. “Therefore,” said the Turkmen leader, “we attach particular importance to the humanitarian component of our relations and will support in every possible way the aspirations of our people for close collaboration, the study of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the two countries and promote collaboration between workers of art and culture of Turkmenistan and Armenia.” Also, the sides had agreed to expand forms and vectors of collaboration between the Academies of Sciences, which had the firm longstanding traditions.

Emphasizing that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Armenia had once again demonstrated their commitment and willingness to develop close and multidimensional cooperation on a long-term basis, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that this cooperation met the fundamental interests of both nations, the modern realities of the development of bilateral relations.

In conclusion cordially thanking once again his Armenian counterpart for the constructive talks, the President of Turkmenistan expressed the best wishes to the friendly people of Armenia.

Addressing the press conference, the President of the Republic of Armenia evaluated highly the constructiveness and fruitfulness of the top level talks in Ashgabat, which had turned into a thorough exchange of views on the current state and prospects for developing Turkmen-Armenian relations, which were filled with a new content nowadays.

Focusing on the outcomes of the top level talks which had focused on a wide range of aspects of bilateral cooperation, the distinguished guest reaffirmed that Armenia was committed to the strategy for full cooperation with Turkmenistan in all fields. Touching upon trade and economic relations between our countries, the sides were unanimous that there existed the potential and conditions conducive to further expanding effective partnership. Deepening cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, where vast opportunities to foster mutually beneficial contacts were opened up, was deemed to be important.

Touching upon the current foreign policy issues, President Serj Sargsyan noted that the two countries stood ready to cooperate in the framework of the UN and other international organisations to promote peace and security.

Expressing gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the heartfelt welcome, the leader of Armenia once again heartily thanked the Turkmen leader for extending hospitality that he and members of the official delegations of the Republic of Armenia could feel from the very first minutes in the Turkmen land.

In the evening an official reception was given in honour of the distinguished guest on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. The leaders of the two states exchanged the speeches during the reception.