OREANDA-NEWS. November 23, 2010. Laurie Bristow, Senior Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is on a working visit to the Turkmen capital.

During the visit Mr. Laurie Bristow was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the current state and prospects for bilateral relations and critical regional and international issues of mutual interests were discussed in the form of Turkmenistan-UK political consultations. Emphasis was put on the aspects of collaboration in the framework of the authoritative international organizations, particularly the UN.

The high-ranking diplomat was informed in detail of the major vectors of Turkmenistan’s foreign and domestic policies and its fundamental concept – neutrality that opened up vast opportunities for equal and mutually advantageous intergovernmental cooperation with all countries of the world.

It was noted that the comprehensive and large-scale work was carried out on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to reform further the socio-political life of the country, consistently promote effective market relations, widely apply scientific and technological advances and innovations in all sectors of the national economy. In this context the significance of Turkmen-British in the spheres of trade, economy, education, science and culture was underscored.

Underscoring the commitment of the two countries to further expansion of constructive cooperation, the mutual willingness to maintain the political dialogue, including in the format of regular consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom, was expressed upon concluding the meeting.