Telephone conversation between the President of Turkmenistan and the President of the Republic of Italy

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella.

Warmly greeting each other, the heads of two states expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss priority directions of Turkmen – Italian relations, which are built on the principles of equality, respect and constructiveness, in personal conversation.

Having expressed sincere gratitude to the President of Italy for big input to the development of traditionally friendly interstate dialog, the President of Turkmenistan noted that this telephone conversation would serve to further strengthening of bilateral partnership in all ranges.

In this context, Turkmen leader highlighted that he recollects his visit to Italy in November 2019, when current subjects of cooperation in political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian with special warmth. Agreements achieved by the outcomes of these negotiations undoubtedly have given new impulse to versatile Turkmen – italitan dialog.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has also expressed gratitude to President Sergio Mattarella for support of neutral foreign course of Turkmenistan. In this contest, it was highlighted that initiatives of our country , which are aimed at strengthening of global peace and security, provision of sustainable development of all states on the planet, are reflected in the documents of the United Nations and other competent structures.

- We highly appreciate the fact that actively participating in promotion of Turkmenistan’s proposals, Italy was the co-author of number of resolutions of the UN General Assembly in energy, security, sustainable transport and ecological spheres, which were proposed by our country, - the Head of the State said. – In its turn, our country supports constructive initiatives of Italy as well as its candidacy at the election to various international structures.

Continuing the conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Sergio Mattarella have specified main vectors of cooperation, having outlined trade and economic spheres. In this regards, it was noted that Italy is a big economic partner of Turkmenistan among European states.

Last year, Italy was on the third place in foreign trade of our country with bilateral trade turnover of more than one and half billion US dollars. It is also remarkable that today, Italy holds the second place in the list of partners for export of Turkmen production.

In the contest of further development of cooperation in this direction, the focus was made on such strategic sphere as oil and gas industry. As is known, ENI, which demonstrates intent to expand its activity in our country, works in Turkmenistan since 2008. In addition, Italian partners show interest in participation in the project of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan - Pakistan – India gas line, which also seems to be very perspective.

There is also a significant potential for cooperation in petrochemical sphere. This is about the construction of production facilities using local natural gas. In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov spoke of the relevance to organize online meeting with representatives of Italian business specialized in the above –mentioned sphere with Turkmen colleagues.

Communication sphere has been highlighted as another perspective direction of bilateral cooperation. Opportunities of joint work with Thales Alenia Space are considered in this sphere. Special inter-department commission has been established in last May for study of requirements of ministries and departments, which are interested in receiving of detailed satellite data for further development of the economy. After study of proposals of the government structures, it will be informed about further steps in negotiation process with this company.

At the same time, cooperation with another famous Italian company, Leonardo, is steadily developed under implementation of previous agreements.

Undoubtedly, contacts between business structures are important direction of trade and economic partnership. In this aspect, it was stated with delight that signing of 20 bilateral documents was a result of d Turkmen – Italian business forum in Milano in November last year.

Opening of the facility for production of solar panels, ceramic items, establishment of wool processing using modern technologies are among perspective projects.

During the conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Sergio Mattarella have highlighted the subject of humanitarian cooperation. It was highlighted that Italy and Turkmenistan have rich historical and cultural heritage, which provides good prepositions for intensification of fruitful dialog, which includes regular events and long work of Italian specialists on number of architectural monuments of our country.

It was mentioned that this activity, which has to be steadily developed, is carried out under relative bilateral agreements with leading scientific and educational centres of Italy – the Bologna University and Turin Centre of Archaeological Studies and Excavations.

Taking into account positive practice of cooperation in this sphere, the Head of the State has spoken about opportunity to organize an archaeological exhibition, which is similar to exhibition Margiana – the Kingdom of Bronze epoch in Turkmenistan, in Italy as well as to think of organization of the exposition of artefacts of Ancient Parthia.

Speaking of cooperation in educational sphere, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that special attention is paid in the country to study of Italian language, which is studied on systematic base in two high educational institutes.

Relative profile department has been opened in Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages from September 1. In addition, starting this educational year, Italian language has started to be studied in one of the secondary schools of Ashgabat.

At the same time, willingness to extend efficient cooperation in social sphere, in particular in health protection and farmacology, has been expressed. The Leader of the nation has summed up that multidimensional potential for beneficial consolidation of joint efforts is available.

For further improvement of interstate relations and promotion of fruitful cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian directions, the Head of Turkmenistan made specific proposals on activation of the dialog between foreign ministries by regular consultations and in this aspect, to develop bilateral action plan.

For intensification of trade and economic partnership, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has proposed to establish Turkmen – Italian Business Council or relative working group as well to hold the Days of Italian Economy in Turkmenistan on annual basis and to open trade office of our country in Milano.

Following positive practice of cooperation in humanitarian sphere, the President noted the relevance of establishment of Turkmenistan – Italy cultural dialog, which could be a permanent platform for implementation of joint projects in educational, science and cultural sphere.

The Head of Turkmen state has also invited his Italian colleague to pay official visit to Turkmenistan at any convenient time. This offer has been accepted with gratitude. The Head of Italy noted that he would be glad to visit our country once relative conditions would appear.

Having highly appreciated the level and content of Turkmen – Italian cooperation, President Sergio Mattarella spoke for full support of proposals of Turkmen leader on strengthening of contacts between foreign departments, organization of cultural event and intensification of relation between universities. It was noted that all proposals would be considered and passed to the Government of Italy for implementation.

In the end, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Sergio Mattarella have expressed satisfaction with conversation, which turned out into detailed talks on condition and development of interstate dialog, and exchanged best wishes to each other and nations of both countries.