Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Aug.11/ Trend, H. Hasanov /
China attaches a "special importance" to the forthcoming visit of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov, said the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at a meeting with Berdimuhammadov in Ashgabat.
"The Chinese side attaches great importance to the upcoming visit in the context of fully enhancing cooperation with Turkmenistan", the Turkmen government quotes Jiechi as saying.
Jiechi conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's greetings, who addressed "wishes of happiness and prosperity to the Turkmen people".
He said that "Turkmenistan, keeping high rates of the socio-economic development in times of a difficult world economy, demonstrates new approaches to solving today's global problems."
In turn, Berdimuhammadov said that "Turkmenistan is committed to a multi-aspect inter-state dialogue with China - a long-term strategic partner, cooperation with which not only serves the interests of the two friendly countries' peoples, but also acts as an integral factor in strengthening peace and stability on a global scale."
It was also noted at the meeting that "the existing high level of trust and understanding between the two countries and their leaders, together with regular productive contacts at various levels, provides a good basis for effective cooperation not only in the energy sector, but also in several other promising spheres."
The sides expressed interest in implementing new joint projects in energy, communications, chemical, construction, textile, and food industries. The sides also stressed the "grand project of the century - the construction of the world's longest transnational gas pipeline between Turkmenistan and China".
Turkmen gas exports to the Chinese market first began by commissioning the international gas pipeline passing through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in 2009. The pipeline was built by the Chinese company CNPC, which has a license to produce raw materials on the Turkmen right bank of Amu Darya.
Beijing also assumed a role of Turkmenistan's largest creditor. The funds received were mainly directed to the development of the country's major Eloten gas field in the Mary region.