Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of the Democratic Republic of Sao-Tome and Principe, who arrived in our country to participate in celebrations dedicated to International neutrality day and the 30^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Having warmly welcomed the distinguished guest, the head of state thanked him for his current visit to our country and for accepting the invitation to participate in the International forum on the occasion of the International year of peace and trust, International neutrality day, and the 30^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of the country.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation to participate in the International Forum and the hospitality extended, the President of Sao-Tome and Principe noted that it was a great honour for him to visit neutral Turkmenistan, which advocates for strengthening peace in the region and throughout the world. The distinguished guest took the opportunity to warmly congratulate President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on International neutrality day and the 30^th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Noting that participation in the high-level forum demonstrates support for policy of Turkmenistan of neutrality and the importance the leader of a friendly country attaches to the principles of peace, the head of state emphasised that the International forum will play a key role in strengthening global peace and a culture of trust, as well as finding joint solutions to contemporary problems. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the results of visit of President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova to our country will give new impetus to the expansion of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the Democratic Republic of Sao-Tome and Principe.

As noted, Turkmenistan maintains friendly relations with foreign states, relying on its legal status of neutrality, three times recognised by the United Nations. In this context, given the significant prospects for developing relations with African states, our country places particular emphasis on cooperation with countries in the region. In this regard, the head of state noted the significant potential for cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Democratic Republic of Sao-Tome and Principe in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres.

Reminding that President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova attended the Third United Nations Organisation Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in August of this year in the «Avaza» National tourist zone, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized that this visit was an important event in the history of relations between the two countries.

Noting with satisfaction that a meeting with the head of a friendly state is taking place in the capital, Ashgabat, during the celebration of the permanent neutrality of the Fatherland, the President of Turkmenistan expressed confidence in the success of the current visit, which will contribute to the further strengthening of relations between Turkmenistan and the Democratic Republic of Sao-Tome and Principe.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe Carlos Manuel Vila Nova reaffirmed commitment of both countries to expanding multilateral cooperation and wished each other continued success in their government endeavours.