Negotiations in Doha

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left on official visit to the State of Qatar. The Head of the State was seen off by the officials at the capital international airport.

Turkmenistan pays great attention to the development of cooperation with Qatar both in bilateral format and under dynamically developing dialog with the Middle East countries. Diplomatic relations between two states were established in 1996.

The first visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to this friendly Arab country was on October 11 – 12, 2010. On March 7, 2016, there were a talks between the head of Turkmenistan and Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Current meeting of the Heads of two friendly states is a vivid evidence of their endeavour to bring the partnership to quality new level and to attach business and constructive character to it.

Today, both Turkmenistan and Qatar have huge resources for expansion of beneficial partnership, mutual interest in rally of bilateral cooperation in different spheres. These interests are not only in economic sphere although it is more obvious. This is vividly indicated by the outcomes of Turkmen – Qatar business forum on march 14 in Doha.

Giving the priority to trade and economic cooperation, both countries try to establish cultural and humanitarian relations as well. It was evidenced by the Days of Turkmenistan Culture in Qatar before the visit.

Having flown from Ashgabat International Airport, President’s airplane landed after two hours in Hamad International Airport, Doha decorated by the State Flags of two countries. At the gangway, where the guard of honour was lined up, the President of Turkmenistan was met by the officials of host country. On behalf of the Emir of the State of Qatar they cordially welcomed high-rank Turkmen guest.

After, the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan went to the Palace of the Emir of Qatar.

Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani cordially welcomed the Head of Turkmenistan at the square in front of the Palace. Having shaken hands, the Leaders of the two states headed to special venue, where the official ceremony of welcoming the high-rank Turkmen guest took place

The national anthems of the two states were performed. Having received the report of the Commander of the Guard of Honour, the Heads of Turkmenistan and Qatar walked along the Guard of Honour and paid tribute to the State Flag of Qatar

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went to the palace, where the members of the official delegation of Qatar were introduced to the Turkmen guest. The Emir of Qatar welcomed the members of Turkmenistan delegation

Upon completion of the official ceremony, the Heads of the States went to Large Meeting Hall to hold talks with the participation of the delegations of the two countries.

Cordially greeting the President of Turkmenistan and members of Turkmen government delegation, Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani expressed the gratitude to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for accepted invitation to visit Qatar and highlighted that current visit of the head of Turkmenistan is considered in Qatar as important step in consolidation of friendship of two fraternal peoples and new history of interstate dialog.

International authority of Turkmenistan growth fast and it is mainly favoured by the policy of peace and neutrality, good neighbourhood and broad international cooperation, which are successfully realized by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani said, having highlighted that Arab business circles watch with great attention the achievement of Turkmenistan and express large interest in development of benefical relations.

The Emir of Qatar expressed his admire with grandiose changes and reforms in our country, which success is made for by the solidarity of Turkmen people around their national leader.

The historical relations of our countries go far to the ancient times and historical, cultural and spiritual community of our countries are reliable guarantee of intensification of relations of friendship, trust and understanding.

During negotiations, the energy sphere, industry and trade, transport and communication, investments as well as banking activity, where Qatar has considerable experience, were called among the most priority and perspective areas. Qatar expressed an interest in realization of joint projects indifferent branches of economy including in transit, transport, oil and gas spheres.

Qatar is one of the world’s leaders in liquefied natural gas export. The experience of Qatar in this sphere will be quite useful for our dynamically developing national economy. It was mentioned that rapidly globalizing gas market requires establishment of cooperation between largest gas exporters.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the gratitude to Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad AL Thani for the hospitality and wished peace, prosperity and happiness to people of the friendly country.

Turkmen Leader said that this visit, having a government status, is considered as an event, which would give strong impulse to development of friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Qatar, the Head of the State expressed the confidence that relations between our countries would expand and gain new quality content.

The concept of the presidency of Turkmenistan in the Conference of the Energy Charter in 2017, under which Ashgabat would host regular session of this organization in November, was also mentioned in the negotiations.

Great attention in the development of relations between Turkmenistan and Qatar is paid to trade and economic cooperation. For their further development, the Head of the State spoke for increase of trade turnover and services volumes and establishment direct contacts between economic partners, business entities between two states.

Trade exhibitions and business forums, specialized fairs of goods produced in Turkmenistan and Qatar, opening of Trade chambers in the capitals of both states will promote the activation of bilateral trade.

The agenda of cooperation also included the subjects related to participation of famous Qatari companies in investment projects in Turkmenistan. In this regards, it was proposed to establish direct contacts between government banking and financial structures and large companies of both countries next year. The willingness to study investment proposals of Qatar on realization of large projects in Turkmenistan, which have regional importance as well as on investments to innovation projects of Qatar was expressed.

It was mentioned that it is necessary to start exporting textile productions manufactured in Turkmenistan to Qatar.

World known Qatar companies can take part in the projects in Turkmen section of the Caspian Sea as well as in supply of the equipment for oil and gas complex of Turkmenistan. Recently, we started construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas main, the Head of the State said, having noted that in this regard, Turkmenistan is interested to discuss the subjects related to participation of financial and investment structures of Qatar in fulfilment of this transnational project.

Another important direction of Turkmen – Qatar relations is a cooperation in transport sphere. Development of maritime and air connections are the key vector of beneficial and perspective partnership. In this context, the Turkmen Leader noted the importance of the initiative on formation of international transport and transit corridors, which would favour activation of economic relations between the Central Asian and the Middle East countries. The greatest importance is paid to establishment of international transport and transit corridors between Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Oman.

At present, realization of large project, the construction of Turkmenbashy International Sea Port is under completion in the Caspian Sea. In this regards, Turkmen side is inviting large transport and logistic companies, having an experience in this sphere, to joint projects.

Turkmenistan aims to make Turkmenbashy International Port as largest transport and logistic hub. That is the country is interested in studying of Qatar’s experience in this sphere.

Turkmen – Qatar relations go far to the history and based on friendly relations, which were laid in common spiritual and cultural values promoting the proximity of two fraternal peoples. It was clearly demonstrated by the days of Turkmenistan Culture held before the visit. In this context, the Head of the State expressed the gratitude to host side for excellent conditions for their organization. Further in the conversation, it was suggested to organize the Days of Qatar Culture in Turkmenistan.

The contacts in literature like share of the books on rich culture of both countries, publishing and translations of the books will promote more active humanitarian cooperation.

Cooperation in education, scientific and sport sphere was outlined as most important vector of Turkmen – Qatar relations. Exchange of the experience in educational and scientific activity is very important tin this field. Qatar specialist were invited to participate in work for teaching of Turkmen students Arabic language. The big role is given to the contacts between the Academy of Science of Turkmenistan and Qatar Scientific Fund.

Development of sports and promotion of healthy life style in Turkmenistan and Qatar are the priorities of the state policy. Both countries regularly hold large sport events and make contribution to the development of international sport movement.

Taking into account the forthcoming V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in September where sportsmen from Qatar are also invited, Turkmenistan is interested in Qatar’s big experience in organization of large competitions.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the confidence that this visit would be decisive step in further development of Turkmen – Qatar political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation and improvement of fraternal relations between two nations.

It was mentioned that opening of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the State of Qatar in the nearest future would favour this as well.

At the end of his speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit Turkmenistan at any suitable time.

fter, there was high-level talks held in one-on-one format.

The State of Qatar is an important and reliable partner for Turkmenistan in the Middle East region. Cooperation of two states under international organization, in particular under the UN is also very successful.

Regular consultations on foreign policy departments of Turkmenistan and Qatar promote the development of new approaches to cooperation. Turkmenistan expresses keen interest in studying of Qatar’s experience as a country that achieved such high development in economy, science and education, energy and sports sphere.

Undoubtedly, Turkmenistan and Qatar have large opportunities for development of trade and economic cooperation and diversification of mutual trade turnover. Joint intergovernmental Turkmen – Qatar Commission plays a big role in this. Our countries have huge reserves of hydrocarbon resources what stipulates the necessity of partnership in fuel and energy spheres.

Having shared the opinions on broad spectrum of subjects of Turkmen – Qatar partnership, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani specified the approaches to realization of efficient cooperation in different spheres.

During the meeting, the Sides stated with delight mutual endeavour to establishment of quality new level of interstate relations, which are based on cultural and historical community of both peoples, traditional friendly and fraternal relations. Speaking of the prospects of further economic and cultural cooperation, the Leaders of two states highlighted huge potential of this partnership and the willingness to realize it for the sake of both states.

After one-on-one talks, there was a ceremony of signing of bilateral documents.

There were Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Training of Diplomats between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Institute of Diplomacy of the State of Qatar, Memorandum of Understanding on the development of Cooperation in energy sphere between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar, Memorandum of Understanding between the State national Service Turkmenhowayollary and Civil Aviation Department of the State of Qatar; Memoranda of Understanding on development of cooperation in standardization, metrology, certification and accreditation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar, Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in biodiversity and natural protection between the State Committee for Environment Protection and Land Resources and the Municipality and the Ministry of Environment Protection of the State of Qatar.

After the ceremony, the Heads of the States left the palace and wen to Al Shakab Equestrian Centre where the President of Turkmenistan was familiarized with organization and work of this famous centre. . The model of the centre with all arenas of this unique facility, which is built in the shape of horseshoe, was presented to high-rank guest.

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