SCO Summit Adopted Final Declaration
At the two-day twelfth summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Beijing, participants adopted documents opposing military intervention in Syria and Iran, condemning the deployment of US and NATO missile defense systems in Europe, and declaring the SCO’s readiness to intensify its role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan in light of the upcoming withdrawal of NATO forces. The summit confirmed the SCO’s reputation as the main opponent of the United States and their allies in key issues of international security. Dmitri Mezentzev was named the new Secretary General of the SCO. The summit culminated with the adoption of the final declaration in which SCO countries stated that the organization "continues to operate successfully in the interests of peace, cooperation and development."
Source: Kommersant.ru
Presidents of Turkmenistan and China Held Talks
Within the framework of the SCO summit in Beijing, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov met with President Hu Jintao of China. The two leaders noted that the positions of their countries are similar on many aspects of international relations. The reliable and stable transit of energy resources to world markets was a separate focus of the talks. The Turkmen leader expressed hope that China would support the idea of establishing a UN ad hoc international group for preparation of an international convention to ensure safety of energy transit. The two leaders defined oil and gas, telecommunication and transport sectors, agriculture, textile, chemical and food, healthcare and construction industries as priority areas of cooperation.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Berdymukhamedov Met With President Of Iran
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov met with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran on the sidelines of the SCO summit in China. During the meeting, the parties expressed their intent to enhance cooperation and develop partnership in bilateral and multilateral formats.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Berdymukhamedov Met With President Of Afghanistan
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov met with Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai at the SCO summit in China. The two leaders exchanged views on the priorities of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation, as well as essential issues of regional and international politics. The parties discussed in detail construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
President of Turkmenistan met with the Head of the CNPC Oil and Gas Corporation During his visit to China, President Berdymukhamedov met with the Chairman of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Board of Directors, Mr. Jiang Jemin. During the meeting, Jemin reported on the corporation’s progress in implementing its projects in Turkmenistan, including the construction of the second gas-processing plant on the Bagyyarlyk contractual area, designed to provide additional gas for the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline. Berdymukhamedov stressed the significance of developing hydrocarbon resources in the Amu Darya River Basin for the diversification of export routes for Turkmen energy resources.
Source: Turkmenistan.gov.tm
President: Turkmenistan Open for Constructive Discussion of Energy Projects
Possibilities are expanding today for creating an integrated pipeline infrastructure to transport energy resources from Central Asia to China, East Asia and the Middle East, said President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Beijing, at a meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). “Turkmenistan is open for constructive discussions and developing joint plans in this area. We are ready to provide our powerful resource potential, the benefits of geo-economic position, and the experience of interaction with partners in the realization of major energy projects for their implementation," the President said.
Note: According to a British Petroleum (BP) report, Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world after Russia, Iran and Qatar for its natural gas reserves. At present, the country exports natural gas to China, Iran and Russia. The extra pipeline to Russia (Caspian gas pipeline - through Kazakhstan), Europe (Trans-Caspian gas pipeline - Nabucco or as part of the AGRI-on the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan) and India (Trans-Afghan gas pipeline via Pakistan) are among the planned gas pipeline from Turkmenistan. In accordance with the Development Programme of Oil and Gas Industry of Turkmenistan plans to increase annual natural gas production to 230 billion cubic meters until 2030, much of which will be intended for export. Source: trend.az
Turkmenistan Interested in Expanding Trade Turnover with SCO Countries
"Turkmenistan is interested in expanding trade turnover with the SCO countries, diversifying export-import operations, employing experience and technology to modernize its infrastructure, developing new joint projects in agriculture, and enhancing partnerships through business organizations," President Berdymukhamedov said in Beijing, at a meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Source: trend.az
Delegation of International Committee of Red Cross Holds Talks in Ashgabat
A delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headed by Deputy Head of the ICRC Regional Office for Central Asia, Francois Blance, is visiting Turkmenistan. Over the course of the visit, the ICRC delegation held talks at a number of ministries and departments, including the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the talks, the parties discussed humanitarian cooperation issues. This is the fifth visit of a Red Cross delegation to Turkmenistan in the last 12 months.
Sources: Turkmenistan.ru, gundogar.org
Turkmenistan, Germany Sign Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in Legal Field
The Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan and the regional project of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the legal sector. According to the official report, the document was signed “with the view of learning and using the best international practices in the legal and law enforcement field, improving the national legislative framework and bringing it into conformity with international law.”
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Ashgabat to Host Regular Meeting of ECO Council on Regional Planning
The 22nd meeting of the Council on Regional Planning of the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OEC) will be held in Ashgabat on June 11-13. As Vice-Premier Annamukhammet Gochyev reported at cabinet meeting on June 8, leaders of governmental structures of OEC member countries will arrive in Ashgabat to participate in the meeting. The Turkmen side will be represented by the heads of finance, banking, and statistical agencies.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Turkmen Foreign Minister To Attend International Conference on Afghanistan
On June 8, at a cabinet meeting, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov reported on preparations for Turkmenistan’s participation in the International Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Afghanistan, to be held in Kabul on June 14. According to Meredov, the key issue on the agenda will be the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. President Berdymukhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan would continue providing all possible assistance and support for the socio-economic revival of Afghanistan and take an active role in international efforts.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Turkmen Border Guards Prohibit Uzbek Citizens To Enter Turkmenistan
On June 6, at the Khodjeyli checkpoint on the Uzbek-Turkmen border, Turkmen border guards prohibited, without explanation, approximately one hundred Uzbek citizens from entering Turkmenistan, reported CA-NEWS, citing the Uzbek service of radio Liberty (Ozodlik). According to the publication’s source, the Uzbek citizens wanted to enter Turkmenistan to visit their relatives living there. The border guards did not specify the reasons for restricting entry.
Source: Regnum.ru
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