President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga.

At the beginning of the conversation, the head of the Japanese Government expressed condolences to the Turkmen leader over the death of his father, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, whose selfless work and services to the Turkmen state will forever remain in good memory.

Thanking Mr. Yoshihide Suga for his sincere condolences and words of support, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that he highly appreciated and valued the fact that Japan shared the pain and grief over the terrible loss.

During the conversation, the parties expressed satisfaction with the active and progressive character of the Turkmen-Japanese friendly relations. It was underlined that the high level of mutual understanding, trust and support inherent in the political dialogue of the two countries served as an important factor in further deepening bilateral relations.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga discussed the current state and prospects for the development of interstate partnership, as well as a number of international policy issues of mutual interest.

Expressing satisfaction with the productively cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan both in a bilateral format and in the international arena, the interlocutors confirmed their willingness to intensify the dialogue.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the head of the Japanese government specified trade and economic partnership among the priority directions of the Turkmen-Japanese cooperation. In this context, it was emphasized that due to joint efforts, the interstate economic cooperation had acquired a strategic, stable and long-term character.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his proactive position and support for bilateral cooperation, which resulted in the successful implementation of projects in Turkmenistan with the participation of Japanese companies.

According to the President of Turkmenistan, the Japanese partners contributed to solving the tasks set in the programmes of socio-economic development of our country. Confirming Turkmenistan's interest in strengthening interstate dialogue with the Land of the Rising Sun, the Turkmen leader said that the necessary support would be provided to the activities of Japanese companies and financial institutions in our country.

The interlocutors underlined the importance of further work on potential projects, taking into account the implementation of large-scale and long-term programmes, aimed at diversifying the national economy, creating modern science-intensive high-tech industries and industrial enterprises focused on producing high-quality products competitive in the world market in Turkmenistan.

The oil and gas sector, electricity, transport and communications, as well as such areas as water management and the textile industry were specified as strategic areas of cooperation.

Along with this, it was underlined the role of cultural and humanitarian ties in bringing the peoples of the two states closer together, strengthening the ties of friendship and mutual understanding between them.

The interlocutors called for further expansion of scientific and educational contacts. In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked the Japanese side for the assistance provided in the education and training of Turkmen specialists, expressing confidence in the successful continuation of cooperation in this direction.

The President of Turkmenistan informed the Prime Minister of Japan that the construction of a gas turbine power plant in the Lebap velayat with the participation of the Japanese company Sumitomo Corporation had entered the final stage. The Turkmen leader invited the Prime Minister of Japan to visit Turkmenistan in the third decade of August to take part in the ceremony of commissioning the new gas turbine power plant. The Turkmen leader expressed confidence that this visit would open up new opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation and would contribute to expanding mutually beneficial partnership.

At the end of the telephone conversation, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, the President of Turkmenistan and the Prime Minister of Japan exchanged best wishes.