WORKING VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN TO KAZAKHSTAN

On June 9, 2017, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left for a working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, where he was invited as an honored guest to the opening ceremony of the international specialized exhibition "Astana Expo-2017".

From the airport the motorcade of the President of Turkmenistan went to the Palace of Independence, where his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev greeted his colleague with great cordiality.

Warmly welcoming the distinguished guest, the head of the Republic of Kazakhstan stressed that he is happy to welcome the head of Turkmenistan in Astana again. Thanking President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for accepting the invitation to visit Kazakhstan and participate in the opening ceremony of the exhibition "Astana Expo-2017", President Nursultan Nazarbayev confirmed the aspiration to further strengthen and develop the traditionally friendly relations between the two neighboring states and peoples.

Expressing sincere gratitude for the hospitable reception, the Turkmen leader congratulated his colleague on holding such an important and big event as the World Exhibition "Astana Expo-2017". In this regard, the head of state thanked for the conditions created for the demonstration of Turkmenistan's success in this area, the domestic developments, which will be presented in the national pavilion of our country that opens on June 10.

During the meeting, the heads of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan discussed the current state and prospects of interstate cooperation, concretized its priority areas in the light of modern realities and spoke in favor of actively building up mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, stimulating close business and humanitarian, scientific ties.

Taking this opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited President Nursultan Nazarbayev to come to Ashgabat for the opening of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. President Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed gratitude for the invitation to the Asian Games-2017, noting that under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Turkmen people achieved impressive successes in all spheres.

After the meeting, the head of Turkmenistan and other honored guests of Astana proceeded to the territory of the exhibition complex, to its main object - the pavilion "Nur-Alem", which is a huge spherical building. The main entrance of the participants of the celebration was met by the commissar of EXPO-2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev, inviting those who arrived inside the pavilion.

Kazakhstan's leader Nursultan Nazarbayev greeted the high guests in VIP-hall and presented the central element of the exhibition complex, the architectural symbol of EXPO-2017 - the pavilion "Nur-Alem".

Having inspected the pavilion of Kazakhstan, the participants of the celebration went to the Main Square in front of it, where the official photograph took place.

 Then the motorcade with the heads of states drove through the exhibition grounds to the Congress Center, where the opening ceremony of EXPO-2017 began with a high-tech presentation, the script of which was built on the history of energy as a pristine force, from the birth of the universe to modern ideas about its future embodiment. The production uses such innovative stage technologies as scale kinetic decorations, transparent LED screens, a projection system with tracking and remote controlled drones.

The evening continued with a concert program and a multimedia show with a laser projection on the sphere "Nur-Alem". The final of the performance was a festive fireworks display over the whole territory of the exhibition complex.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his working visit to Kazakhstan met with the Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, who was also on a visit to Astana.

During the meeting, mutual support was expressed for the international initiatives put forward by both countries aimed at creating a solid foundation for conflict-free development in the 21st century. It was noted that the key element of the multi-level political dialogue are the meetings of the heads of the two states, which address the current tasks of bilateral relations.

Within the framework of the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for expanding the interstate partnership, taking into account the opportunities for building up economic ties. It was also noted that in recent years bilateral relations are intensively developing in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, in particular, in the field of education. Along with this, fruitful Turkmen-Chinese contacts in the sports sphere have been established.

At the end of the meeting, the heads of the two states exchanged good wishes, expressing confidence in building up a productive dialogue that meets the state interests and priorities of the social and economic development of Turkmenistan and China.

On June 10, 2017 President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, being in Astana at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, took part in the opening ceremony of the exhibition center of Turkmenistan at EXPO-2017. It should be noted that turkmen center was the first to open at the international specialized exhibition.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was met by First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin at the site in front of the exhibition center of Turkmenistan.

President of Turkmenistan delivered a welcoming speech. Congratulating everyone on the opening of the International Specialized Exhibition "Astana Expo-2017", as well as on the opening of the exhibition center of Turkmenistan and wishing successful work to the organizers and participants of this global event, the head of state expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the invitation.

Then the floor was taken by First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin, who emphasized that the exposition of Turkmenistan is one of the largest among all the countries participating in EXPO, occupying a total area of ​​about 1 thousand square meters. He also expressed confidence that the exhibition of our country will open Turkmenistan's opportunities in the field of renewable energy sources, as well as provide an opportunity for citizens of Kazakhstan and guests of Astana to get acquainted with the rich national culture of the Turkmen people.

In a solemn atmosphere, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cut a symbolic ribbon at the entrance to the exhibition center of Turkmenistan and, having entered inside, inspected an extensive exposition where the leading sectors of the national economy are represented.

After completing his acquaintance with the exhibits of the Turkmen Exhibition Center, which for three months became the "visiting card" of our country at EXPO-2017, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said good-bye to the participants of the celebration, and accompanied by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, left for the airport, in Ashgabat.