Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi within the framework of his two-day visit to Turkmenistan held talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on Monday in Ashgabat. During the talks, the two sides agreed on negotiating and signing documents for the joint construction of the Belt and Road as soon as possible.
The parties also agreed on formulating plans for the next five years for expanding economic cooperation, according to the Chinese state media reports.
Wang Yi noted that China sees Turkmenistan as a truly reliable strategic partner.
China, he continued, is willing to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to work with Turkmenistan to deepen political mutual trust, expand all-round cooperation, enhance coordination on major international and regional issues, and lift the China-Turkmenistan strategic partnership to new levels that will benefit the two countries’ peoples.
China will continue to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Turkmenistan and back its efforts to fight the pandemic, the minister added.
The top Chinese diplomat suggested that both countries seek to ratchet up the scale of cooperation in natural gas, increase cooperation in oil and gas processing, new energy, green energy, nuclear energy so that the two countries can forge a long-term strategic partnership in the energy sector.
In turn, Rashid Meredov hailed the accomplishments made by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as this year marks the 100th anniversary of CPC's founding.
The Turkmen official thanked China for the COVID-19 vaccines and said he hopes that the two countries strengthen ties in renewable energy, environmental protection, aerospace, and communications.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and other international and regional issues of common interest, according to the reports.
The visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister to Turkmenistan is part of his five-day tour to Central Asia, which also includes Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
