Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, March 6 / Trend H. Hasanov /
"While cooperating with Turkmenistan as part of the 'Central Asia - Japan' dialogue, our country would like to make a contribution to support the stability and development of the whole Central Asian region," Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said in his message to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The letter is timed for Berdimuhamedov's re-election for his second presidential term in early 2012. The two countries have established joint committees on economic cooperation.
"I hope that under your leadership, Turkmenistan will continue the steady path of development and contribute to the stability and prosperity in the region," Noda's message said. "I am also sure that Turkmenistan will achieve great results in the field of democracy and human rights." He added that the two countries had established friendly and favourable relations.
"2012 is the year of a 20-year anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between our countries," the letter said. "Mr President, I intend to continue our fruitful cooperation for the further development of the two countries."
President Berdimuhamedov's official visit to Japan in 2009 gave the impetus to bilateral relations. A number of intergovernmental agreements and contracts were signed with Japanese companies.
Such companies as Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, Sojitz, Itochu Corporation and JGC, Toyota Corporation, Marubeni Corporation and others have shown an interest in cooperating with Turkmenistan.
Japanese companies are already represented in Turkmenistan in such areas as the oil and gas sector, transport and communications, construction, healthcare and water management.
The two countries established joint committees on economic cooperation.