Turkmenistan, UAE issue Joint Communiqué

Ashgabat, 29 February 2008 (nCa) --- Here is the unofficial, paraphrased, version of the joint communiqué issued 28 February 2008 in Ashgabat on the conclusion of 2-day state visit of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed An-Nahyan, President of UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, to Turkmenistan:

The official visit of President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed An-Nahyan to Turkmenistan tool place 27-28 February 2008 on the invitation of the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.

Relations between the two states, ways of developing and strengthening mutual cooperation in political, economic, social spheres and also regional and international matters of mutual interests were discussed during the visit.

The heads of state have carried out negotiations on bilateral relations and agreed to the need to further strengthen relations between the two friendly people, and have called on the public and private sectors of both the countries to avail the investment opportunities, and also have emphasized the importance of joint projects and programmes, especially in the oil and gas sector, oil refining, petrochemical and transport spheres.

The heads of state underlined the importance of implementation of joint projects and have noted that for this purpose creation of specialized trade-economic companies, creation of appropriate legal conditions, and rendering of necessary support would be considered.

The heads of state have highlighted the importance of strengthening mutual cooperation in the fields of culture, mass media, science, education, and sports and also the necessity of implementing the agreements and memorandums of mutual understanding signed between the two states.

About the urgent international questions, the heads of state have stressed the mutual aspiration of Turkmenistan and UAE to promote peace, stability and security in the international community and to observe the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs, non use of force or threat of its use, and resolution of all conflicts in a peaceful way. In this context the sides condemn terrorism in all its forms, and declare support for the efforts of the international community in non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The presidents of the two states again emphasize exclusive importance of the United Nations for dealing with questions of international security and stability, and stress adherence to the UN charter.

The president of UAE has invited the president of Turkmenistan to an official visit to UAE.

The invitation was accepted with thanks. Terms of the visit would be coordinated through diplomatic channels.