On September 9, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Turkmenistan, Alena Grand, who presented her credentials to the Head of State. This was reported by the online news site AsmanNews.

The French Ambassador conveyed greetings from the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to the Head of State and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and noted France’s interest in the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkmenistan.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed his best wishes to the French Head of State, congratulated Alena Grand on her appointment and wished her every success in her diplomatic mission.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the state of and prospects for Turkmen-French relations. It was noted that France is one of Turkmenistan’s key European partners. Cooperation is developing in the trade and economic, energy, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Particular attention was paid to the two countries’ interaction on international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised that bilateral relations are based on the principles of mutual trust, respect and openness. At the same time, cooperation is expanding not only at the intergovernmental level, but also between representatives of the private sectors of both countries.

The parties noted opportunities for further expanding trade and economic ties and implementing joint initiatives in the fields of energy, transport and logistics infrastructure, science and culture.

Alena Grand expressed her readiness to work towards the further development of intergovernmental cooperation between France and Turkmenistan.