Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, March 2 / Trend H. Hasanov/
"The U.S. Government backs Turkmenistan's constructive foreign political course and international initiatives, which have given the country a high authority on international arena," U.S. Undersecretary of State John Limbert reported upon his arrival in Ashgabat.
The US high-ranking official's statement was reported today in a news report by Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlari, the state news service of Turkmenistan.
The US diplomatist held a meeting at the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan and was reported to "have voiced his satisfaction with the dynamics of interstate relations based upon principles of mutual respect and equality". The sides exchanged views over regional and international policy.
Turkmenistan, which has kept the status of positive neutrality, borders Afghanistan where a U.S. military contingent is deployed. The Government of Turkmenistan recently proposed a number of initiatives - at the sidelines of cooperation with the UN - over the provision of security of energy supply and conduct of an international disarmament conference in the region.