Seminar on “Turkmenistan-Pakistan Relations: Pursuing a Collaborative Future”

On March 2, 2023, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) and the “Pakistan in the World” media group, organized a Seminar on the topic “Turkmenistan-Pakistan Relations: Pursuing a Collaborative Future”.

The seminar was attended by Ambassador of Turkmenistan A.Movlamov, President of COPAIR Mrs. Amna Munawwar Awan, Chairman of COPAIR Ambassador Khalid Mehmood, editor of the magazine “Pakistan in the World” Tazeen Akhtar, representatives of Bahria University, public organizations, business communities and the media.

The Embassy of Turkmenistan and COPAIR gave comprehensive presentations on the history of bilateral relations, including exchange of visits of the leadership of the two countries. The Turkmen side also informed about the foreign policy activities of Neutral Turkmenistan aimed at strengthening peace, good neighborliness and constructive partnership in the region and in the world as a whole. As an example of the ongoing measures for the socio-economic development of the country, the attention of the participants was drawn to the new, modern administrative center of the Akhal velayat – Arkadag city, based on the concept of a "smart" city, which is being built on the initiative of the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Speaking about bilateral relations, it was emphasized that Turkmenistan and Pakistan have traditional friendly ties, and the high level of political relations contributes to mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Energy sector is one of the promising areas of bilateral cooperation. In this context, particular importance is attached to the implementation of large joint projects, such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, as well as power transmission line and fiber-optic line along the route Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP).

Ms. Amna Munawwar Awan, expressed impression on Arkadag city that is being built with widespread use of innovative technologies and desired to establish bilateral cooperation in IT sector.

The speakers expressed their support to the positive foreign policy of Neutral Turkmenistan and valued its role in ensuring peace and stability in the region. The participants of the seminar discussed ways to use the existing huge potential of trade and economic cooperation between our countries, including through the exhibitions, exchanges of contacts and direct negotiations between the business circles of the two countries.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mehmood highly valued the political relations between our countries. Highlighting the importance of the TAPI and TAP projects for the energy needs of Pakistan, and for the socio-economic prosperity in the region, he emphasized the need to consolidate joint efforts for the expedited implementation of these projects.