Abu Dhabi — His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Thursday received Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan.
During the meeting held at the Presidential Palace, Shaikh Mohammad and Berdimuhamedow held talks on ways to bolster bilateral relations, global developments and issues of mutual concern.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, was present.
Shaikh Mohammad said that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is keen on developing its relations with Turkmenistan to encompass all fields. He added that these relations are based on strong foundations of understanding and mutual interests, and have been developing over the past years, thanks to the resolve of both countries’ leaders.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said that constant consultations are a source of optimism for the future of UAE-Turkmenistan relations, particularly when these relations have promising opportunities in the area of gas, oil, renewable energy and others.
The two leaders also spoke about ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of investment, economy, tourism and culture to achieve the mutual aspirations of both countries’ peoples.
They reaffirmed the importance of amplifying the international community’s efforts to achieve peace, security and coexistence in the region and world, as well as consolidating the concept of tolerance and dialogue.
Later, Shaikh Mohammad and Berdimuhamedow witnessed the signing of a number of agreements to bolster partnership and cooperation between the two nations.
Draft agreements were signed on combating terrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking, extradition, cooperation in the field of criminal matters, as well as a memoranda on a mutual visa waiver for holders of diplomatic and VIP passports.
An agreement was signed between Dubai’s Economic Development Centre and the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan, an agreement between Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Government of Turkmenistan, and a Memorandum of Understanding between Mubadala Petroleum and Turkmengaz for cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration.
An agreement on cultural cooperation was signed, in addition to a protocol for amendments on the avoidance of double taxation on income agreement.
Also present were Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Sultan Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, and other senior officials.
