Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who arrived in the capital for participation in the large-scale events held in our country.

Having warmly greeted and having thanked the honoured guest for participation in the International Forum organised in Ashgabat on the occasion of the International year of peace and trust, International Neutrality Day and the 30^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, the head of the state expressed firm confidence that results of the present meeting will give a new impulse to enhancement of relations between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Having expressed his gratitude for the reception rendered in the hospitable Turkmen land and the invitation to take part in the Forum, the Prime Minister of the friendly country underlined that organization of such a high representative event speaks of the special attention given by Turkmenistan to the strengthening of peace and culture of mutual trust.

Having given an appreciation to the successes reached by our country in the social sphere, the guest expressed his admiration of the architectural shape of Ashgabat, and, taking an opportunity, warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on International Neutrality Day and the 30^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Having thanked for kind words, the head of the state underlined that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is one of the important partners of our country in the South Asian region. Today, mutual relations are successfully developed in various areas.

As was underlined, Turkmenistan effectively co-operates with Pakistan within such large and authoritative structures, as the United Nations Organization, Economic Cooperation Organization, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. In the given context, the head of the state pointed out that with special warmth he remembers the meeting with Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, held in the Tianjin SCO Summit.

Speaking of cooperation in the energy sphere, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that realisation of civil-engineering designs of the transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India, a high-voltage transmission line, and also system of optic-fibre communication line by the route Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan will give an impulse to the social and economic development of the entire region and will become a key factor of sustainable development.

At the same time, the expediency of strengthening of cultural contact between two countries was stated.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, having stated confidence that the interstate relations based on bonds of friendship and brotherhood, mutual respect, will be developed further and exchanged best regards.