On 30 August, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, received the Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, who had arrived in Turkmenistan on a visit. This was reported by the news agency TDH.

Toshimitsu Motegi conveyed greetings from Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the President of Turkmenistan and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. He also thanked the Head of State for his condolences following the earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed his own best wishes to the Japanese leadership and noted that Toshimitsu Motegi’s visit would contribute to the expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The parties emphasised the strategic nature of the Turkmen-Japanese partnership and the development of cooperation in a bilateral context, within the framework of the United Nations and the ‘Central Asia–Japan’ Dialogue.

The Head of State highlighted the outcomes of his working visit to Japan last year to attend the first summit of the ‘Central Asia–Japan’ Dialogue. Toshimitsu Motegi emphasised the contribution of the Head of State’s visits to the development of Japan–Turkmenistan cooperation.

The meeting also covered inter-parliamentary ties and the work of the Turkmen-Japanese Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Particular attention was paid to trade and economic cooperation. The President of Turkmenistan highlighted the role of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee on Economic Cooperation and the prospects for Japanese companies’ participation in the gas and chemical industries. Among the current partners mentioned were ‘ITOCHU Corporation’, ‘Toyo Engineering Corporation’ and ‘Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.’.

The parties also emphasised the importance of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including the organisation of Cultural Days, exhibitions and other joint events.

Following the meeting, Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Toshimitsu Motegi expressed their confidence in the further strengthening of bilateral relations.