OREANDA-NEWS. March 31, 2010.  President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Jean Asselborn, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, who had arrived in Ashgabat leading a representative delegation.

Thanking the Turkmen leader for the opportunity of a personal meeting the guest said that he was very glad to visit Turkmenistan – the country with the colossal potential with which more European countries built the long-term plans for enhancing mutually advantageous business cooperation. Minister Jean Asselborn said that this interest was recognition of Turkmenistan’s important role and high prestige as the country pursuing the constructive peace-loving policy in the interests of humanity.

Heartily greeting the head of the foreign minister of the friendly state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that in its turn Turkmenistan viewed Luxembourg as a n important, very promising partner which with the Turkmen state intended to develop partnership in both bilateral and multilateral formats, in particular in the framework of the dynamically developing dialogue with the European Union member coutnries.

“Europe remains a priority of the foreign policy strategy of our country,” the Turkmen leader said underscoring a keen interest in establishing full-scale cooperation in a number of key fields in mutual interests.

In a friendly atmosphere the President and his guest exchanged views on the specific steps towards further intensification of the constructive intergovernmental dialogue aimed at converging ultimately the positions on the critical aspects of cooperation built on a long-term, mutually advantageous basis. Focusing on the need to make traditional partnership more intensive and fill it with a new content through using the existing mutual potential, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Vice-Prime Minister of Luxembourg expressed the willingness of their countries to enhance intergovernmental ties in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

Thanking for the heartfelt welcome extended in the Turkmen land the guest emphasized that Luxembourg like other European countries ardently welcomed and supported the reform policy and initiatives of the Turkmen leader who resolutely led his country along the path of progress and prosperity.

Upon concluding the meeting Jean Asselborn, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg said in an interview in particular:

“I had a long and very substantial conversation with His Excellency President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It was very interesting for me and my country – Luxembourg to know more about the Central Asian states. I would like to note that we had a special interest in Turkmenistan because your country played the key role in the region not only because for its abundant natural resources but also its geostrategic location and growing international prestige due to the policy pursued by your national leader. The meeting with Mr. President focused on the possibilities of considering the issues related to transit of Turkmen natural gas to the member states of the European Union and investments in various sectors of Turkmen economy.

“I would like to emphasize that building the plans of implementation of the well-known Nabucco Project the European Union relies on Turkmen gas. Undoubtedly, Turkmenistan’s successful and active policy on diversification of gas export routes that is vividly illustrated by launching supplies eastwards gives an impetus to the EU member states to adopt the final decision on Turkmen gas exports westwards.

“The prospects for cooperation on the issues related to human rights and social development were touched upon during the meeting, and in this regard I informed Mr. President of our interest in partnership on education, exchange of specialists and training of Turkmen young people at the leading higher educational establishments in Europe.”