President Pakistan Calls President and President Elect of Turkmenistan – Congratulates, Discusses Bilateral Affairs

Islamabad, 15 March 2022: President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, held a telephonic conversation with the President of Turkmenistan, Mr Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President-elect, Mr Serdar Berdimuhamedov, today. He discussed with both the leaders a wide range of bilateral issues and exchanged views on the situation of regional peace and stability.

During the conversation, President Arif Alvi congratulated Mr Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on successfully holding the Presidential Elections in Turkmenistan on 12 March 2022 and the victory of President Elect, Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He said that this impressive victory reflected the trust of the people of Turkmenistan reposed in him and the vision of the current leadership.

He recalled his meeting with the Turkmen counterpart, on the side-lines of 15th ECO summit in November 2021, and termed it highly fruitful. President Dr Arif Alvi emphasized taking specific measures for greater connectivity, promoting tourism and increasing people-to-people contacts. He also offered Turkmenistan to avail Gawadar and Karachi seaports for its trade connectivity with Middle East and the rest of the world.

The President appreciated the participation of Turkmenistan in the 17th Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad in December 2021. He congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his conversation with President-elect, Mr. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President Dr Arif Alvi congratulated him on his election as the President of Turkmenistan and expressed the hope that he would continue to take bilateral ties to new heights. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for mega projects, particularly the TAPI gas pipeline. He also underlined the need for increasing the bilateral trade volume and improving economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The President thanked Turkmenistan for its participation in the upcoming 40th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers being held in Islamabad on 22-23 March 2022.

The President emphasised the need to work together for the promotion of peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan, as well as address the challenge of Islamophobia.