(Turkmenistan.ru) - Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov received U.S. envoy Steven Mann, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.
As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports referring to the state news agency (TDH), the President of Turkmenistan warmly welcomed his high guest who worked in Turkmenistan as the U.S. Ambassador in 1998-2001 and contributed significantly to the development of Turkmen-U.S. relations, reports Trend.
According to the TDH, Steven Mann conveyed greetings from the U.S. President George Bush and State Secretary Condoliza Rice.
During the meeting the sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to bilateral and regional cooperation, discussed topical issues of mutual interest and, first of all, ways to enhance joint efforts to ensure peace and global security.
Cooperation in the energy sector was the main topic of discussion. As Saparmurat Niyazov noted, Turkmenistan will use its vast hydrocarbon resources both in the interest of the Turkmen people and to the benefit of the global peace and prosperity. The strategy on taking Turkmen energy resources to the world markets and, above all, the policy on the establishment of multiple energy pipelines will serve this important task, the head of state said.
Steven Mann on behalf of the U.S. leadership supported this policy of Turkmenistan and noted that the U.S. is interested to help build new gas pipelines to Afghanistan and China.
In conclusion, the sides agreed that cooperation in energy sphere should be based purely on economic considerations and that wholesome competition would serve to expand mutually advantageous and equal partnership in promoting universal security.
US Charge d'Affaires Ms. Jennifer Brush also attended the meeting.
In an interview with the TDH correspondent after the meeting the high guest expressed satisfaction with the result of talks and admiration for changes that has taken place since his last visit to Turkmenistan in 2002. "Ashgabat has changed dramatically but the Turkmen hospitality is most attractive aspect for me and I still keep it in my heart," Steven Mann said in particular.