Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a visit, Turkmen state media reported Sunday.
Motegi thanked the President for receiving him and for the hospitality extended to him, saying Japan regards Turkmenistan as a reliable partner. He also conveyed warm greetings from Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Japanese Minister also thanked the President for his letter of condolence over the earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed his best wishes to Japan’s leaders and expressed confidence that Motegi’s visit to Turkmenistan would be an important step in expanding bilateral relations.
The meeting noted the long-term strategic nature of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan. The sides noted the two countries actively cooperate not only bilaterally, but also within the United Nations and the Central Asia-Japan Dialogue.
The Turkmen President emphasized that trade and economic cooperation is one of the priority areas of interstate relations. He also noted Turkmenistan’s years of cooperation with major Japanese companies, including ITOCHU Corporation, Toyo Engineering Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., in the gas and chemical industries, and highlighted broad opportunities for developing cooperation in these areas.
The meeting also noted the importance of cultural and humanitarian cooperation in strengthening interstate relations. The sides expressed confidence that effective Turkmen-Japanese cooperation would continue to develop and exchanged best wishes.
The same day, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also met with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan. The talks covered the current state of cooperation in political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian areas, as well as opportunities for its development. Following the meeting, the Foreign Ministries of Turkmenistan and Japan signed a Cooperation Program for 2027-2029.
