A telephone conversation took place today between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Having warmly greeted each other, the interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss priority aspects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the countries of the European Community.

Confirming the serious focus of Turkmenistan on further expanding cooperation with the European Union, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that today we are faced with urgent tasks of building up partner interaction, the topics of which are diverse and of mutual interest. These are the issues of maintaining peace and security in the Central Asian region and adjacent zones, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, energy security, transport, ecology, and the use of water resources.

Having noted with satisfaction the coincidence of strategic goals and interests in these areas, the leader of the nation emphasized that it is important to use this.

Continuing the conversation, it was especially noted that bilateral interaction with the European side is effectively developing within the framework of existing partner mechanisms, in particular, the European Union-Turkmenistan Joint Committee, the Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue, the Dialogue on Human Rights, Consultative meetings between the foreign ministries and on certain issues of cooperation ...

The head of the European Union noted the progressively developing fruitful dialogue between Turkmenistan and the EU, built on a trusting basis.

The leader of the nation noted that he carefully familiarized himself with the assessments of Mr. Charles Michel about the situation in Afghanistan, as well as with the vision of the European side regarding further multilateral cooperation in the Afghan direction. In this regard, the head of state dwelled on three basic principles on which the position of Turkmenistan is based at the current stage of the development of events in the neighboring country.

First, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued, in the political aspect, we advocate the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan only by peaceful, political and diplomatic means and methods. As a neighboring and neutral state, Turkmenistan is ready to assist in establishing appropriate contacts and creating conditions for the early establishment of peace in Afghanistan.

Secondly, in the economic aspect, we emphasize the need to further advance issues related to the implementation of large infrastructure projects, in particular, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, power transmission lines and fiber-optic communications along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan, as well as the railways connecting Afghanistan with Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

Thirdly, it is the provision of ongoing humanitarian support to Afghanistan to facilitate ongoing peacebuilding processes.

In particular, the head of state said, Turkmenistan has always been and remains deeply interested in the internal political stability and security of Afghanistan, the well-being of the brotherly Afghan people, based on the principles of friendship and good neighborliness, as well as on the basis of the historical, cultural and civilizational community of the peoples of the two countries.

In this context, the expediency of stepping up the activities of the United Nations, the OSCE and the European Union in providing comprehensive assistance to Afghanistan was expressed.

In particular, Turkmenistan continues to supply electricity to the neighboring state in accordance with existing contracts. As you know, Turkmen electricity is supplied to Afghanistan in several directions, which makes it possible to provide electricity to almost all of its northern provinces, western and northwestern regions of the country.

Along with this, it was noted that the smooth operation of checkpoints on the Turkmen-Afghan border is ensured.

At the same time, in the context of a global pandemic, in order to protect the health of the population of both countries, the state bodies of Turkmenistan carry out regular contacts with representatives of the Taliban movement on ensuring the protection of the State border, customs, sanitary, phytosanitary and other types of control and supervision carried out when moving goods across the border. ... The main part of cargo passed through the State border is oil products, liquefied gas, grain, and everyday goods.

Despite the difficult internal political situation in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan hosted four rounds of talks in Ashgabat in 1999-2000 between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance, which was headed by Ahmad Shah Massoud at that time. It should be noted that the organization of these negotiations took place with the participation of representatives of the United Nations, the head of state said, stressing that then both sides recognized the effectiveness of the consultations.

As noted, Turkmenistan during the 30 years of its independence has invariably been an active participant in multilateral efforts to resolve migration crises in the world.

During the turbulent events in our region in the mid-90s of the last century, in particular in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, our country accepted tens of thousands of refugees, providing them with everything they need and providing safe conditions for their residence on the territory of Turkmenistan.

Speaking about the position of our country on this issue, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that in the current difficult epidemiological conditions, it is necessary to make sensible decisions on the admission of refugees and, along with other aspects of humanitarian issues, first of all, one should seriously assess the risks of a large-scale spread of the deadly coronavirus infection.

In turn, Mr. Charles Michel stressed the importance and timeliness of the international initiatives put forward by the head of Turkmenistan aimed at ensuring general security, stability and creating conditions for sustainable development in Central Asia, stating that the European Union supports the progressive foreign policy and creative initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Thanking the President of the European Union for a frank and constructive dialogue on issues of concern to the entire international community today, the leader of the nation expressed Turkmenistan's readiness to consolidate joint efforts for the further peaceful and stable development of the region.

Warmly congratulating President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the upcoming 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, Mr. Charles Michel addressed his best wishes to the Turkmen people and their leader.

Expressing gratitude for the kind words, the head of state noted that the legal status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan was twice recognized by the United Nations and the fact that the Resolution proposed by Turkmenistan on declaring 2021 the International Year of Peace and Trust was unanimously adopted.

In this regard, the leader of the nation invited the President of the European Union Charles Michel to celebrate the Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan.

The head of the European Union accepted this invitation with gratitude.

At the end of the telephone conversation, once again confirming the mutual readiness of the parties to bring the traditional interaction to a qualitatively new level, giving it a stable dynamic that meets the global interests and requirements of the time, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the European Council Charles Michel wished each other success in the noble mission aimed at comprehensive development of the dialogue of friendship and cooperation between Turkmenistan and the countries of the European Union.