‘Pak-Turkmen collaboration to intensify development’

Roundtable held to mark 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality

There is a huge potential for cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan with the TAPI and TAP projects the prime example of it. The modern rapprochement between Ashgabat and Islamabad is a logical continuation of the long, historical interaction and cooperation between the two countries.

These views were expressed by Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov while he was speaking at a roundtable session on Friday.

The session was held at the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad on the ‘25th Anniversary of Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.’

During the discussion, the ambassador highlighted the initiatives which have been taken for the promotion of peace, development of Turkmenistan, the significant foreign policy and plans for 2020.

Movlamov pointed to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) projects could intensify the economic development and bilateral relations between the two countries and contribute to the prosperity and well-being of both the countries.

As Turkmenistan celebrates the 25th anniversary of the international recognition of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, the ambassador stated that it is a landmark event not only for the Turkmen nation but for the entire world community.

He stated that from 2017 to 2019, Turkmenistan chaired the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea for joint management and rational use of water resources and environmental protection in the Aral Basin which was agreed on by all the five Central Asian countries.

He stated that strengthening constructive cooperation in the Caspian Sea is one of the priority vectors of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. Turkmenistan has introduced a new promising format of international partnerships based on shared values and united common goals and objectives.

Recently, Turkmenistan also proposed the creation of the “Group of Friends of Neutrality in the Interests of Peace and Security” (GFNIPS) for closer cooperation with all parties interested in promoting this initiative.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2020.