On 9 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, received Senator Steve Daines of Montana, a member of the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, who had arrived in the country on a visit. This was reported by the news agency TDH.

The US Senator conveyed greetings and best wishes from US President Donald Trump to the Head of State. Serdar Berdimuhamedov extended his own best wishes to the American leader in return and congratulated the guest and the people of the United States on the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

During the meeting, it was noted that Turkmen-American relations are developing on the basis of mutual respect, trust and cooperation in the political, economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

The President of Turkmenistan emphasised the intensification of political dialogue between the two countries, noting his working visit to Washington last November to attend the ‘Central Asia + U.S.’ Summit, as well as his meeting with US President Donald Trump. The role of the visit by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to the state of Florida in February this year was also highlighted.

The parties discussed cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries and exchanged views on topical international issues. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of US support for Turkmenistan’s policy of positive neutrality.

Particular attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation. The Head of State noted the experience of working with American companies and the role of the ‘Turkmenistan–US’ Business Council in developing business ties.

The President of Turkmenistan confirmed his readiness to expand cooperation with the US in the fields of energy, transport, finance, banking, advanced technologies and artificial intelligence.

In the energy sector, the importance of the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India’ (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline project was highlighted. Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised that the implementation of the project would contribute to economic development and the strengthening of regional cooperation.

The parties also discussed cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture. The President highlighted the development of joint programmes, the training of Turkmen youth in the US and the expansion of contacts between higher education institutions in both countries.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s interest in the further development of long-term, multi-faceted cooperation with the US and wished Senator Steve Daines every success in his work.