The state visit by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Qatar was a logical continuation of the consistent efforts of the two countries towards the comprehensive strengthening of mutually beneficial partnership. The high-level Turkmen-Qatari talks held in Doha became a milestone in the history of the interstate dialogue based on the traditions of friendship and mutual respect.
It should be recalled that the two countries established diplomatic relations in November 1996. Top-level meetings and talks play a key role in developing the interstate partnership. For example, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited a friendly country on December 3 last year at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. During the high-level meeting in Doha, the sides discussed prospects of development of bilateral cooperation and confirmed their readiness for intensification of productive relations on a long-term basis. The President of Turkmenistan also attended as a guest of honor one of the football matches of the World Cup held in Qatar.
The opening ceremony of the Turkmen diplomatic mission residence in Doha was timed to coincide with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to the State of Qatar. The memorable event was attended by the heads and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions accredited in Qatar, as well as the Foreign Ministry of Qatar. At the ceremony, it was noted that the opening of the Turkmen embassy in Doha symbolizes the important role that Turkmenistan attaches to development of relations with the State of Qatar in its foreign policy. In this regard, it was emphasized that the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Qatar would conform to the high level of the interstate dialogue and trust between the two countries, embody its openness and actively promote the further strengthening of the productive partnership in all areas.
Meanwhile, in the capital of Qatar, as part of the program of the state visit, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Before the talks with the head of Qatar, the Turkmen leader met with the leadership of leading Qatari companies and investment organizations. During the meeting, brief presentations were made on the capacities of Qatari companies. The business structures of the friendly country confirmed their readiness to invest in the economy of Turkmenistan, which has colossal resources and demonstrates progressive development in all areas. Having confirmed a number of important sectors of the national economies of the two states as the key vectors of partnership, the Qatari businessmen stressed their intention to intensify fruitful cooperation with their Turkmen counterparts. In particular, specific proposals were put forward to build up contacts in the fuel and energy complex, in exports of oil and gas equipment, in the trade and economic sphere, in the field of industry, agriculture, food industry, construction and tourism.
Then, the head of Turkmenistan met with the Emir of Qatar and discussed with him issues relating to broadening the Turkmen-Qatari mutually beneficial partnership in the trade and economic sphere. Fuel and energy complex, industry, trade, transport, communications, high technologies, investments, construction and tourism were named the priority and most promising areas of interstate relations. The sides also emphasized the convergence or similarity of views on topical issues on the global agenda, which serves as a good basis for further effective partnership between the two states through international and regional structures.
During the talks, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited the Emir of the State of Qatar to pay a visit to Turkmenistan at any convenient time. The invitation was accepted with gratitude. Then, the high-level talks continued in the one-on-one format.
The sides noted that issues on the agenda of the current visit were evidence of the two countries’ focus on bringing the interstate strategic and long-term partnership to a new level. It was also emphasized that the opening of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Doha was intended to contribute to the deepening of constructive Turkmen-Qatari contacts.
The talks between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani were followed by an official ceremony of signing bilateral documents.
The heads of state witnessed the singing of the following documents:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar on prevention and elimination of emergency situations;
Memorandum of Understanding between the Prosecutor General’s Office of Turkmenistan and the State Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Qatar in the area of prosecution;
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar in the area of youth;
Cooperation program for 2023–2024 in the area of sports between the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Sports and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the State of Qatar;
Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar on promotion and mutual protection of investments;
Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Labor of the State of Qatar;
Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Qatar on abolition of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
In the afternoon, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the Foundation for Education, Science and Social Development, where he met with the leadership of this organization that was established in 1995 by the decree of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Then, the President of Turkmenistan visited the National Museum of Qatar, which was opened in 2019. The head of state was briefed on the activities of the museum, which has a large collection of exhibits describing the specifics of development of this state in different historical periods.
The results of the state visit by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the State of Qatar make it possible to state without reservation that there are currently no limitations for building up the productive interaction between the two countries. At the same time, increasing joint efforts for the full realization of the existing potential will make it possible to bring trade and economic partnership to a qualitatively new level and diversify its structure and content in the near future.
The political outcomes of the visit make it possible to confirm that similarity of views and positions on topical issues of international politics provides a solid platform for effective cooperation between the two countries at the well-known international and regional structures.