TURKMENISTAN AND FRANCE DISCUSSED EXPANSION OF MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION

On June 5, 2020, the fourth round of inter-MFA consultations between Turkmenistan and the French Republic took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in a video conference format. The Turkmen delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister V.Hajiyev. The delegation of France was headed by the Director of the Department of Continental Europe of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, F. Mondoloni.

At the beginning of the negotiations, the parties spoke on the response measures being taken in connection with Covid-19.  In this regard, the Turkmen side expressed condolences to the French side. Then topical issues of political-diplomatic and trade-economic cooperation between the two countries were discussed.

Diplomats noted the positive cooperation of the two countries within the framework of international organizations, in particular the UN, EU and OSCE. The French side emphasized the importance of the initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan put forward in the international arena.

The importance of regular meetings of the meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-French Commission on Economic Cooperation was noted, including revitalization of working groups. The sides separately discussed issues on the development of the legal base.

Speaking about the development of bilateral relations in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the parties focused on inter-university relations, partnership in the field of archeology. In addition, the parties exchanged views on the prospect of cooperation in the space and water spheres, as well as in the field of popularization of the French language in Turkmenistan.

At the end of the consultations, the French side congratulated the Turkmen side on the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.