OREANDA-NEWS. July 20, 2012.   President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Mr. Pierre Morel who is completing its work in this office and the newly appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia Ms. Patricia Flor.

Thanking for the opportunity to meet the guests gave to the Turkmen leader greetings and the best wishes from the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso who expressed deep interest in European countries in further deepening of multilateral cooperation with Turkmenistan supported by the successful implementation of a number of joint projects in many important ways

Warmly welcoming the guests the leader of nation noted with satisfaction the dynamics of the Turkmenistan-EU dialogue in which established a constructive, bilaterally and multilaterally partnership within last years. It was emphasized that the establishment of close mutually beneficial contacts with the European community has been and remains one of the main areas of the country's foreign policy strategy aimed at a broad international cooperation.

During the meeting the sides exchanged their views on how to build long-term fruitful cooperation in a number of key areas, primarily in the energy sector what is a strategic sector for the national economy of Turkmenistan. This development is given a high priority.

The President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that today we are investing heavily in large-scale energy projects including exploration and commercial development of the largest oil and gas fields. Also was noted that this fact serves as a guarantee of strict and scrupulous observance of Turkmenistan made by the partnership liabilities and hence successful implementation of major new energy projects

Highly appreciating the Turkmen leader's policy of ongoing large-scale reforms and transformations the new EU Special Representative for Central Asia Ms. Patricia Flor stressed the interest of full European Union member countries to intensify cooperation in several key areas including political, economic, humanitarian and ecological spheres. There was a steady increase as the importance of cooperation in the legal field with a view held in this country and the democratic reforms initiated by President of Turkmenistan reforms in the legislative arena

The President of Turkmenistan once again congratulated Ms. Patricia Flor on her appointment and wished success in her noble work. The President stressed the readiness of the Turkmen side to search for new forms and areas of long-standing cooperation strengthening of which directly serve regular joint meetings and business forums as well as implementation of major joint projects of national and regional importance.

In conclusion the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his guests expressed their mutual confidence in the successful continuation of multi-dimensional cooperation originally built on an equitable and mutually beneficial basis.