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

On June 7, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov during the third China+Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting in Nur-Sultan.

Wang Yi said, under the leadership of the two heads of state, the strategic partnership between China and Turkmenistan has shown refreshing changes, achieved new breakthroughs and made new achievements. Since the successful presidential elections in Turkmenistan, bilateral relations have achieved a smooth transition and stood at a new starting point with broad prospects for development. The two sides should seize the opportunity, build on the good momentum, fully implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, and promote more tangible results of China-Turkmenistan cooperation in various fields.

Wang Yi said that energy cooperation is an important part of China-Turkmenistan strategic cooperation. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China's initial intention to expand energy cooperation between the two sides remains the same, and its position to regard Turkmenistan as an important strategic energy partner is unwavering. China is willing to expand cooperation with Turkmenistan in the whole industry chain, expand the cooperation scale and create a new vista for comprehensive advancement.

Meredov said that Turkmenistan and China are close strategic partners and the frequent high-level contact between the two sides fully reflects the high-level bilateral relations. In February this year, the two heads of state met successfully and reached important consensuses, which laid a solid political foundation and injected strong impetus into bilateral cooperation. Cooperation between the two countries is future-oriented and is not subject to interference by external political factors. Turkmenistan is ready to work with China to jointly implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and open up a better future for bilateral relations.

The two sides reached an agreement on key cooperation directions for the next step, and are willing to accelerate the synergy and cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and the "Revival of the ancient Silk Road" strategy to build an efficient platform for connectivity. The two sides will promote the long-lasting and stable development of energy cooperation, deepen cooperation in non-resource fields, and work together to achieve sustainable and diversified development in Turkmenistan. Both sides will promote the establishment of traditional medicine centers and Luban Workshops in Turkmenistan and cultural centers in each other's country.

The two sides spoke highly of the fruitful communication and coordination between the two countries in multilateral affairs and will continue to support each other at the United Nations and other institutions. Meredov said that Turkmenistan actively supports the Global Development Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping and is willing to discuss concrete participation measures with China to form international synergy.

The two sides will further strengthen cooperation on cybersecurity, biosecurity and others to improve global governance.

The two sides agreed to hold the third China+Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers' meeting and strengthen the mechanism of China+Central Asia (C+C5) to inject strong momentum into bilateral cooperation.

The two sides exchanged views on the current international and regional situation and decided to strengthen solidarity and coordination to maintain regional peace and stability. Meredov said that Turkmenistan will adhere to the policy of permanent neutrality and advocate political settlement of disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means.