TURKMENISTAN AND THE UAE ARE IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP
Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which has a pronounced social orientation and is focused on the comprehensive innovative development of the country, increasing its economic potential, a steady improving the level and quality of people’s life.
Increasing interstate dialogue with the UAE, recognized as one of the economically powerful and rapidly developing states of the Middle East, is among the priority vectors of the foreign policy strategy of the independent neutral Homeland. The key factor for deepening the productive Turkmen – UAE partnership in a wide range of areas is the presence of rich natural resources and the favorable geographical location of the two countries.
The longstanding interaction and diplomatic relations of Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates that were established in October 1995 is an indicator of the goodwill of both states, striving to bring traditional cooperation to a qualitatively new level that meets the existing colossal potential and development priorities of our countries.
This is clearly evidenced by the experience of partnership on a bilateral and multilateral basis, primarily on the platform of the largest and most authoritative international and regional organizations, as well as the exceptional fruitfulness of the meetings and negotiations held during the past years.
The main condition for the successful solution of long-term tasks of the comprehensive expansion of trade and economic contacts, cultural, scientific and educational ties, certainly, is the interest of Turkmenistan and the UAE in the further development of an effective partnership. The growing mutual desire to strengthen cooperation every year, supported by the practical implementation of large joint projects, is confirmed by regular negotiations between representatives of industry ministries, financial and business circles of the two states.
In addition, it is taken into consideration to bring productive contacts to a qualitatively new level, fully consistent with the priorities of socio-economic development and the national interests of each party. At the same time, confidence was expressed that traditional Turkmen-Emirati cooperation will continue to be strengthened on a mutually beneficial long-term basis, filled with specific content.
Emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties in the economic sphere based on the principles of mutual benefit and taking into account each other’s interests, the parties mostly speak in favor of the need to make full use of promising opportunities in areas of strategic importance for Turkmenistan and the UAE.
Turkmenistan, being a responsible member of the world community, clearly formulates and implements its approaches and actions, outlining priorities according to which the contribution of our country is intended to facilitate the speedy achievement of universal goals.
Transport connectivity and sustainability were highlighted as priorities. In this context, it was emphasized that in the context of global economic transformation, the development of sustainable transport systems, logistics connectivity, and the formation of a reliable transport and communication infrastructure at the global level are of particular importance.
There are many visits and meetings are being held consistently. Even on February 11, 2024, as part of the working visit of the delegation of Turkmenistan to the United Arab Emirates, a meeting was held in Abu Dhabi between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
As a result of all these visits and relations, on June 24-25 there was held «Turkmenistan-UAE» Business Forum at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This forum reflected the shared enthusiasm to consolidate private-sector cooperation, expand areas of partnership and cooperation, explore new opportunities to increase trade and investment flows and launch joint projects in priority sectors. In this regard, confidence was expressed that the business forum, during which the main priorities of the Turkmen-Emirati trade, economic and investment cooperation would be determined, will directly contribute to the establishment of close contacts between the business structures of these two countries. At this forum, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan Mergen Gurdov noted that the United Arab Emirates had taken 5th place in the foreign trade turnover of Turkmenistan in January-April of this year, and trade turnover during this period had increased by 6.3% compared to the corresponding period of last year. In addition, he mentioned that 138 investment projects with the participation of UAE enterprises with a total value of more than 5 billion US dollars were registered in Turkmenistan.
Within the framework of the forum, meetings were held between entrepreneurs of the two states with the aim of exchanging experiences and intensifying productive relations.
Mahym KAKAYEVA,
the 2nd year student
of the Faculty of International Economic Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.