The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, received Ignazio Cassis, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. This was reported by IIC of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of Turkmenistan’s cooperation with the OSCE and Switzerland. The President of Turkmenistan noted that Ignazio Cassis’s visit represents an important step towards further strengthening cooperation.

The Head of State emphasised that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to cooperation with the OSCE on issues relating to the maintenance of peace, sustainable development and the implementation of joint programmes, which are drawn up annually by the Government of Turkmenistan in conjunction with the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. The willingness to continue the partnership in the field of human rights and the study of international experience was also reaffirmed.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated that there were opportunities to expand cooperation in the fields of energy, transport, environmental protection and the rational use of water resources.

Particular attention was paid to Turkmen-Swiss relations. The Head of State reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s interest in developing political and diplomatic, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as its readiness to consider proposals from the Swiss side.

Ignazio Cassis confirmed the interest of the OSCE and Switzerland in further developing cooperation with Turkmenistan. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties exchanged best wishes.