OREANDA-NEWS. June 10, 2009. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Said Akbar Afridi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, who accomplished the diplomatic mission to Turkmenistan

Thanking for the opportunity of a personal meeting the guest expressed sincere gratitude to the Turkmen leader for providing overall support and assistance to him and his counterpart. Mr. Said Akbar Afridi said that he considered it great honour to represent Pakistan in Turkmenistan famous worldwide as the country of progressive reforms and the large peacemaking centre of the region. The diplomat said, “I will remember hospitality of the Turkmen people forever and keep the best recollections of staying in your wonderful country in memory.”

Greeting the diplomat Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highly appreciated the traditionally friendly, constructive nature of the Turkmen-Pakistani relations which were brought up to a higher level today. In this regard the Turkmen leader mentioned the meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, which had taken place during the 10th ECO Summit this March in Tehran and illustrated the countries’ willingness to intensify mutually advantageous partnership.

In this context the sides exchanged views on the prospects for intergovernmental cooperation based on the age-old ties of friendship and cultural affinities of two fraternal peoples. The priority fields of cooperation included trade and economy and humanitarian sphere, in particular education. Emphasis was put on significance of cooperation in the framework of the international organisations at the regional level as well.

In conclusion the Turkmen leader thanked the diplomat for his profound contribution to development of the bilateral relations. The President and his guest expressed belief that the intergovernmental dialogue would further successfully developed for the benefit and in the interests of the peoples of Turkmenistan and Pakistan.