ISSUES OF BILATERAL COOPERATION WITH THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ AND THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA DISCUSSED

On 27 September 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a number of bilateral meetings on the margins of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

In the morning, a meeting was held with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos, during which the sides appraised the current level of cooperation between the two countries.

The parties discussed bilateral relations in the political and diplomatic field, including the strengthening of the dialogue between the foreign ministries. The two sides noted the effectiveness of cooperation within the UN framework. 

The Ministers exchanged views on the establishment of partnership in the trade-economic sphere, as well as in the field of science and education. In particular, the possibilities of academic exchange and studies in the higher educational institutions of Cyprus were noted.

During the meeting, the sides expressed readiness to strengthen the legal framework between the two countries in the political-diplomatic and trade-economic spheres, to prepare the relevant Memorandums of Understanding between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs on political consultations and cooperation, as well as between the responsible agencies of the two countries for the development of trade-industrial cooperation.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan also met with his Iraqi counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq Fuad Mohammed Hussein.

During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed the willingness of the two countries to expand bilateral ties in political, trade-economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

The Ministers discussed in detail the planned supplies of Turkmen natural gas to Iraq under SWAP schemes. They also touched upon the issues of investment cooperation and exchanged views on the current regional agenda.

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Later in the day, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov also met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Minister of India.

During the meeting, the sides discussed current issues of the bilateral agenda, including trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Collaboration and support within regional and international structures were discussed. 

The Ministers exchanged views on the arrangement of bilateral visits, as well as implementation of joint projects and programmes.

In the context of strengthening interstate cooperation, the importance of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was noted. In this regard, the viability of preparing to the next meeting of the Commission was highlighted.

The issues of energy cooperation and progress in the implementation of large infrastructural projects were also among the subjects discussed. The sides noted the important role and regional significance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project and its contribution to the development of the region.

Speaking about the regional agenda, the sides exchanged views on preparations to the upcoming meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in the “Central Asia + India” format.