Wang Yi Meets with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov

On March 30, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, who came to China to attend the Third Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, in Tunxi, Anhui Province.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to former President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and President Serdar Berdymukhamedov. He said that no matter how the international situation may change, China will always be Turkmenistan's reliable brother and reliable partner. China is full of confidence in China-Turkmenistan relations and stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to promote sustained, smooth and stable development of cooperation in various fields and open up brighter prospects.

Meredov conveyed cordial greetings and best wishes from former President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and President Serdar Berdymukhamedov to President Xi Jinping, saying that under the leadership of the two heads of state, Turkmenistan-China relations have developed rapidly and cooperation in various fields has gained momentum. Natural gas cooperation is a priority set by the two heads of state and is of great strategic significance. Turkmenistan regards China as its main energy partner and will not change its established position. Turkmenistan is ready to enhance the synergy between the revival of the ancient Silk Road and the Belt and Road Initiative so as to push bilateral relations to a new level.

Wang Yi said China will unswervingly advance energy cooperation with Turkmenistan and always be Turkmenistan's most reliable partner and stable export market. China is ready to enhance the synergy between the development strategies of both sides, expand cooperation across the energy industry chain, and increase the volume and scale of energy cooperation. China is also ready to tap cooperation potential in green energy, natural gas utilization, technology and equipment, and expand cooperation in new areas such as transportation, vocational education, medical treatment and health care and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides exchanged views on cooperation between China and the five Central Asian countries, expressed support for Kazakhstan in hosting the "China+Central Asia" Foreign Ministers' Meeting this year, and expressed respective willingness to explore the establishment of a summit mechanism to jointly safeguard regional security, peace and stability.

The two sides exchanged views on the Afghan issue. Wang Yi briefed Meredov on his visit to Afghanistan. Meredov expressed support for Afghanistan to draw a clear line with terrorist organizations and resolutely fight against all terrorist forces including the East Turkistan Islamic Movement.

The two sides agreed to strengthen mutual support and coordination in multilateral affairs.