Premier Wen Jiabao meets with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing

On July 18, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov at the Great Hall of the People.

Wen made positive comments on the sound development of bilateral ties since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 15 years ago, as well as their friendly cooperation in all areas. Wen said China and Turkmenistan, as close neighbors, faced similar tasks in economic development and maintaining regional peace and stability, and shared a common aspiration to promote cooperation and a firm foundation to develop bilateral relations. He said China valued ties with Turkmenistan, which it regarded as a very important partner in central Asia. China is ready to work with Turkmenistan to push for all-round, in-depth development of bilateral friendly cooperation based on mutual respect, equality, mutual trust and reciprocity, added the premier.

The two countries are highly complementary in economy and there is huge potential and broad prospect for their cooperation in trade and energy, Wen said. He proposed that in order to enhance the economic and trade cooperation level, both sides should continue to implement bilateral agreements and work closely on the natural gas pipeline project to establish "long-term and stable energy cooperation with mutual benefit".

Wen said Turkmenistan is an important country in central Asia and China appreciates its neutrality policy and positive role in maintaining stability in the region. He promised that China would strengthen consultations and cooperation with Turkmenistan to promote peace, security and development in central Asia.

Responding to Wen, Berdymukhamedov said his people are delighted with the deepening traditional friendship with China. Turkmenistan hopes to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with China, thoroughly carry out the natural gas pipeline project, and expand social and humanistic exchanges, especially between the two countries' young students, in a bid to push forward bilateral ties. He also pledged to strengthen security cooperation with China to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Ma Kai and other officials attended the meeting.