Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, March 31 /Trend H.Hasanov/
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received Chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) James Mattis, the Turkmen government said on Saturday.
"Mattis stressed the U.S. government's desire to develop comprehensive relations with Turkmenistan, conducting a constructive, creative policies aimed at a broad international cooperation and an important factor in strengthening peace, security and stability in the region," the statement said.
Mattis also noted that "the U.S. sees Turkmenistan as responsible and reliable partner, and appreciates its contribution to global efforts to develop optimal solutions for the pressing concerns of modern humanity."
The Turkmen leader in turn noted "the progressive nature of the traditionally friendly Turkmen-American dialogue, stressing that cooperation with the United States is one of the priorities of foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan."
Consistently implementing this strategy, based on the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is committed to the principles of positive partnership that meets the interests of sustainable development and progress in regional and global dimension. Berdymuhamedov noted in this regard that "Turkmenistan will continue to take an active position in international cooperation."
During the meeting the sides exchanged views on prospects for partnership to ensure global security and stability, countering global threats and challenges, including those such as drug trafficking, international terrorism, transnational organized crime.
The Turkmen-American political consultation was held in Washington recently, during which the similar issues were discussed.
The importance of constructive peacemaking initiatives, in particular the peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, the socio-economic revival of the neighboring country, which will directly contribute to the welfare and stability in the region, were stressed in this regard.
Turkmenistan, which has the status of positive neutrality, has a long border with Afghanistan and has recently proposed to hold inter-Afghan peace talks under the auspices of the UN in Ashgabat.
Ashgabat provide humanitarian assistance to the neighboring country and build social infrastructure, supply of electricity and fuel are made on concessional terms. Turkmenistan is implementing large-scale project, which will increase the export of electricity to Afghanistan five times. Current export capacity in the area is about 325 million kilowatt-hours per year.
Large-scale project for laying a gas pipeline to India and Pakistan for the supply of Turkmen gas is associated with the territory of Afghanistan, where unstable situation remains for a long time.
Observers believe that the implementation of this project may contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, because it will create jobs and provide a guaranteed income to the country for transit.