PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Turkmenistan are committed to building a robust and long-term partnership, with a focus on the oil and gas industry for continued growth and mutual prosperity, say the leaders of both countries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow emphasised the significance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, noting PETRONAS’ “positive and long-lasting experience in the field.”
The two leaders, who agreed to a greater cooperation in this area, said this reflected the two countries’ commitment to exploring new opportunities of mutual benefit.
“In realising the full economic potential of the two countries, both leaders expressed readiness to develop it on the basis of equality and mutual benefits,” they said in a joint statement.
Berdimuhamedow, who is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, earlier attended an official welcoming ceremony at the Perdana Putra Complex.
Anwar and Berdimuhamedow said the two countries would also look at enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas of transportation, culture, education, tourism and sports, which will contribute positively to the strengthening of relations between Malaysia and Turkmenistan.
“Efforts to promote people-to-people contact and understanding, as well as exchange programmes between institutions of higher education should also be further strengthened,” they said.
They also stressed that international challenges, including the Palestine issue, must be resolved through peaceful means – in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Anwar and Berdimuhamedow called on unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories and emphasised the importance of a just and lasting solution to the challenge of bringing peace and stability to the region.
At a joint press conference with Berdimuhamedow, Anwar thanked Turkmenistan for its continued support, particularly in facilitating the operations of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd in the Central Asian nation, Bernama reported.
He said Malaysia and Turkmenistan will establish a joint commission to reaffirm the two countries’ commitment to deepening cooperation, adding that the foreign ministers of both nations will implement this initiative early next year.
“We are both committed to ensuring that the level of cooperation is elevated through the establishment of a joint commission between the two countries,” he said.
The Prime Minister also commended Berdimuhamedow for his comprehensive vision of development.
“I am particularly impressed by the President’s interest not only in enhancing trade and investments between the two countries but also in his very comprehensive view of what development entails.
“This includes the cultural sphere and his promotion of international peace, which we fully support,” Anwar said.
Trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan has shown growth, with total trade from January to October this year surging by 74.8%.
The trade value reached RM63.28mil compared with RM36.19mil during the same period last year.
In 2023, Turkmenistan was Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner among Central Asian countries, with total trade amounting to RM48.62mil.
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Turkmenistan were officially established in 1992.
