On September 7, 2022, in the city of Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov took part in the First Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Central Asia Strategic Dialogue.
This platform was created in order to expand the political dialogue between countries and develop interregional cooperation in trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.
The participants of the meeting discussed topical aspects of the international agenda, issues of regional security and further steps to establish future effective cooperation and partnership in the areas of trade, economy, investment, culture and science.
In his speech, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan noted that today’s meeting is considered by Turkmenistan as the first important step towards creating a full-scale format of interaction between the states of Central Asia and the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf.
He stressed that, according to the Turkmen side, we can talk about the beginning of the process of systematization, streamlining and giving a long-term character and stability to the entire range of relations between our countries, justified historically and demanded by modern realities and needs.
Within the framework of the Forum, the parties proposed to establish practical cooperation in matters of energy, transport corridors and logistics, as well as in the field of ensuring food and water security, holding cultural, humanitarian and scientific events.
As a result of the meeting, the parties adopted a Joint Statement, as well as a Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027 (Joint Cooperation Roadmap), aimed at establishing practical cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, education, healthcare, culture and sports.
The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues, within the framework of which the Turkmen delegation is scheduled to have a number of bilateral meetings.