On November 11, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov took part in the eighth meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States (Turkic Council), which was held in Istanbul.
Speaking at the meeting, Meredov noted the importance of supporting Turkmenistan's initiative to become an observer state in the Turkic Council, the country's Foreign Ministry reported .
“Based on the principles of its neutral status, Turkmenistan considers the consolidation of efforts of the countries in the preservation and strengthening of international peace, general security and stability, as a priority direction of its participation in the activities of the Council,” the diplomat said.
The Turkmen side called “close interaction in the economy, industry, energy, transport and ecology” a strategic task.
In addition, it was proposed to expand the range of programs and projects carried out within the framework of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY).
Within the framework of the visit, Meredov had a bilateral meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu , at which bilateral cooperation was discussed.
The press service of the Turkish Foreign Ministry also reported that Cavusoglu met with Meredov, who attended the Turkic Council summit for the first time as an observer member , and stressed that "the family photo of the Turkic Council has now been completed with the participation of Turkmenistan."
Recall that on November 9, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave an interview to Yusuf Erim, editor-in-chief of the Turkish state TV channel TRT World . Answering the question why Turkmenistan intends to join the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States (Turkic Council) this year as an observer, the head of state said that Turkmenistan is implementing all the provisions of the UN Resolution on the permanent neutrality of the country, and participation in the Council is associated with the desire to develop friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation with the Turkic-speaking states.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan