On April 7, talks between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti, who had arrived in our country on an official visit, were held in the Turkmen capital. In the morning, the high guest proceeded from his guest residence to Independence Square, located in the center of Ashgabat. Here, the President of Turkmenistan warmly welcomed the President of the Republic of Moldova. After the official arrival ceremony, the two heads of state proceeded to the “Ruhyet” Palace. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov invited President Nicolae Timofti to the “Beg” Hall to hold the Turkmen-Moldovan summit talks in the “one-to-one” format. Warmly welcoming his Moldovan counterpart in the Turkmen land, the head of Turkmenistan has expressed confidence that the visit and the ongoing negotiations will give renewed impetus to the Turkmen-Moldovan cooperation, which is successfully developing in its entire spectrum, and will strengthen the traditional ties of friendship between the two countries and peoples. Sincerely appreciative to the Turkmen leader of the warm welcome and having noted that it was his first-ever visit to Turkmenistan, the eminent guest has stressed that in Moldova the summit talks are considered as an important event in the history of interstate relations, which are being enriched with new content now. President Nicolae Timofti confirmed the commitment of the Republic of Moldova to all-round strengthening and expansion of the friendly cooperation with Turkmenistan, which pursues a constructive foreign policy that has received support and recognition from the entire world community. In continuation of the talks, the leaders of two countries discussed a wide range of issues of the Turkmen-Moldovan partnership in the context of implementing the bilateral agreements reached earlier and prospects for the future, concretized key directions of interaction, given its potential. Noting with satisfaction the progressive dynamics of the interstate dialogue, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President Nicolae Timofti highlighted the constructive character of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Moldova within the authoritative international organizations and agencies. Efficient contacts have been established between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries, the Turkmen-Moldovan consultations held in the Turkmen capital on April 6 serve as clear evidence. Having spoken for further broadening and diversification of the mutually beneficial trade-economic cooperation, the heads of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Moldova emphasized an important role of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Moldovan Commission, whose first meeting had been held in Ashgabat the day before. The transport and communications sector was outlined as one of the top priority areas of the partnership. Both countries pay great attention to the development of cooperation in this direction. At the same time, there are also good prospects for cooperation in agriculture, food industry and other sectors. Having noted the importance of the humanitarian relations, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Moldova spoke in favor of advancing the fruitful bilateral contacts in the fields of science, education and culture. During the meeting, the sides also exchanged opinions on a range of topical issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest. Then the enlarged summit talks were held in the “Ruh” Hall with participation of the two country’s official delegations. Addressing the words of greeting to President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti and members of the representative delegation, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that in Turkmenistan this visit is regarded as the continuation of the effective bilateral relations that were filled with specific content at the previous summit meeting, held in Chisinau in 2013. Having noted that advancement of the trade-economic relations and expansion of contacts in the cultural-humanitarian field are the most important aspects of the partnership, which entirely meets the two friendly peoples’ long-term cardinal interests, the leader of nation has stressed the need to make full use of the potential available and promote cooperation in new future-oriented, mutually beneficial trends. Speaking of the high level of mutual understanding and trust reached by now, which defines the successful interstate foreign policy dialogue, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that Turkmenistan and Moldova have common positions, based on the principles of strengthening peace and ensuring security globally and regionally. As the head of Turkmen state noted, the work carried out in this direction is aimed at enhancing the role of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In recent years, Turkmenistan and Moldova have considerably intensified cooperation within the organizations, and today hold the same position on many issues, making their significant contribution to ensuring sustainable development and strengthening mutual understanding in the world. These are of particular importance in the light of the complicated situations existing in some parts of the world, the leader of nation said. The Turkmen leader reminded that the Republic of Moldova had supported Turkmenistan during the elections to the UN Economic and Social Council, as well as to the UNESCO’s Executive Board and co-authored the UN General Assembly Resolutions on cooperation in the field of energy security and transport, adopted on our country’s initiative. Highly appraising Moldovan partners’ consistent and responsible attitude and sincerely appreciative to them, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that Turkmenistan, in its turn, also rendered support to Moldova in the elections to international organizations, in particular to the UN Human Rights Council and a number of other authoritative organizations. Expressing confidence that the interaction meets long-term bilateral interests, the spirit and nature of mutually beneficial partnership, the leader of nation has confirmed the Turkmen party’s willingness to continue close cooperation in the world arena and give support to Moldova during the elections to the UN Economic and Social Council for 2016-2018. The main goal of our bilateral and multilateral political dialogue is to strengthen universal peace, promote security and sustainable development, recognize international law as a foundation for building the present-day world and inter-governmental relations, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said, having noted the importance of advancing the political and diplomatic cooperation, first of all, by holding regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Turkmenistan and Moldova. Having sorted out the trade-economic sector as the highest priority of inter-state relations, the head of state has underlined that Turkmenistan regards the Republic of Moldova as an important and promising economic partner. Turkmenistan evinces interest in establishing partnerships in agriculture, the processing, medical and pharmaceutical industries, production of furniture and consumer goods, and in other fields. In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov also noted our country’s readiness to significantly increase exports of textile, chemical, oil and gas products to Moldova. Speaking of the need to give a strong stimulus to the development of cooperation between the two countries in the entire trade-economic bloc, the Turkmen leader has expressed an opinion that business communities can make a major contribution to broadening of mutual relations in this field. In this context, the leader of nation spoke for holding joint business forums and giving thorough consideration to the organization of exhibition fairs of commodity producers. The transport sector was identified as a high priority, strategic area of partnership, given the advantageous geographical location of Turkmenistan and Moldova, which is an important segment of the transport-transit corridors between Asia and Europe, the Caspian Sea and Black Sea regions. The President of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that partnership in this field would bring the bilateral dialogue to a qualitatively new level, and would give it a long-term, strategic character as a significant and effective factor of economic interaction in the East-West direction. The head of Turkmenistan noted that the parties had agreed to establish and promote cultural ties and contacts, exchanges of creative groups and delegations that would contribute to closer connection between the two countries’ peoples, strengthening of friendly and good relations between them. Great importance, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said, is also attached to the development of interaction in the fields of science and education, in this connection an essential role is assigned to the cooperation between the two countries’ Academies of Sciences, and promotion of scientific exchanges in various areas. Such partnership should have a regular character and be based on joint long-term plans and programs, the nation’s leader continued, having highlighted that it would also be beneficial to establish closer direct contacts and exchanges of students between higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and Moldova. Having reminded that this year the Turkmen people together with the global community celebrate the historic date – the 20th anniversary of our country’s neutrality, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov invited President Nicolae Timofti, and Moldovan friends to participate in the international conference and celebrations to be organized in honor of the outstanding event in Ashgabat in the running year’s December. The floor was given to the President of the Republic of Moldova. Stressing that great importance is attached to the energy issues in Moldova, President Nicolae Timofti confirmed the Moldovan party’s interest in cooperation in this important area with Turkmenistan, which possesses enormous potential of hydrocarbon resources and implements the policy in the fuel-energy complex, based on the principles of diversification of energy resources supply routes to the world markets. Applauding the constructive character of the Turkmen-Moldovan cooperation within the authoritative international organizations, the eminent guest assured that Moldova would always support Turkmenistan’s positive international initiatives. Having spoken in support of the proposals of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov on the bilateral cultural contacts development, President Nicolae Timofti has noted that Moldova plans to send a delegation of cultural and art workers to Turkmenistan in the near future. Speaking of it, the Moldovan leader also invited our country’s creative workers to pay a visit to Moldova, where the people would be glad to become acquainted with the Turkmen nation’s rich cultural heritage. After the enlarged talks, a ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held. The documents signed are: the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the agro-industrial sector between the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of the Republic of Moldova; the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in education between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Moldova; the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in exchange of information to counteract money-laundering, illegally obtained property and financing of terrorism between the Ministry of Finance of Turkmenistan and the National Anti-Corruption Centre of the Republic of Moldova; the 2015-2017 Program of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova; the Protocol of the first session of the Joint Intergovernmental Turkmen-Moldovan Commission for Trade-Economic Cooperation; the Memorandum of Understanding on main principles of cooperation in the field of transport between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Moldova; the Agreement on Trade-Economic Cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Moldova. To the applause of the ceremony participants, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti affixed their signatures to the Joint Statement. Upon completion of the signing ceremony, the leaders of two countries proceeded to the “Habar” Hall and made addresses to the press. In the afternoon, President of the Republic of Moldova Nicolae Timofti proceeded to the village of Kipchak to pay tribute to the memory of the first President of Turkmenistan, lay flowers at the Mausoleum, and attend the Mosque of Spirituality of Turkmenbashi. That same day, the Moldovan leader laid a wreath at the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan. By the well-established tradition, the head of Moldova planted a young tree on the Honorary Guests Alley as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and peoples. Then, President Nicolae Timofti visited the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan. After becoming acquainted with its collection, the head of Moldova left a memorable note in the Distinguished Visitors’ Book. In the evening, an official dinner in honor of the President of the Republic of Moldova was given on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, at which the leaders of two countries exchanged speeches. On the final day of his official visit to Turkmenistan, President of the Republic of Moldova Nicolae Timofti paid a visit to the International Equestrian Center. During the get-acquainted excursion to the unique complex, located in one of the most picturesque corners in the Kopetdag foothills, the Moldovan leader gained a thorough insight into the long history of breeding of Akhalteke horses, which are justly considered to be the true embodiment of beauty, grace and nobility, and was delighted with the conditions provided there for breeding and keeping the glorified horses, as well as holding equestrian events. The head of friendly state was shown extraordinarily beautiful and graceful elite horses of the legendary breed. Having shown sincere admiration for what he had seen, President of Moldova Nicolae Timofti expressed confidence that the fame of “heavenly horses” would continue to grow, owing the efforts made. Appreciative of the interesting and informative tour, the eminent guest parted with the horse breeders and employees of the complex and proceeded to the Ashgabat International Airport from where he departed for his home country.