On 25 September, a formal reception was held at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ashgabat to mark the 94th anniversary of the Kingdom’s founding. The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in Turkmenistan, the business community, the media and the blogging community, according to the news website Turkmenportal.

Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Turkmenistan, welcomed the guests and delivered a speech.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia spoke about the Kingdom’s development and the implementation of the ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ project, launched in 2016 by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The diplomat also highlighted the key principles of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy and the development of bilateral relations with Turkmenistan.

According to the Ambassador, Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to recognise Turkmenistan’s independence. In 1997, the Kingdom opened its embassy in Ashgabat, which became the first embassy of an Arab state in Turkmenistan. The significance of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Saudi Arabia in April 2007 was also highlighted.

Representing the Turkmen side at the event was Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Guvanch Agajanov. On behalf of the President of Turkmenistan and the Government, the Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the spiritual and cultural ties between the two countries, including the visits to Mecca by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Particular attention was paid to energy cooperation. Guvanch Agajanov highlighted Saudi Arabia’s expertise in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors and the development of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry. He reported on the Saudi side’s interest in implementing the ‘Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India’ (TAPI) international gas pipeline project.

Following the official proceedings, a reception featuring traditional Arabic cuisine was organised for the guests.