On February 21-22, a delegation of the Parliament of Turkmenistan led by the Chairman of the Mejlis, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, visited Japan, during which issues of expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation and strengthening friendly ties between the two countries were discussed.
During the visit, negotiations were held with the leadership of the Japanese parliament, government and a meeting with Turkmen students studying in Japan. The main attention was paid to intensifying the work of the interparliamentary friendship group, expanding youth and humanitarian exchanges, and continuing cooperation within the framework of the “Central Asia + Japan” dialogue.
Cooperation within interparliamentary friendship groups
The delegation of Turkmenistan held negotiations with the Secretary General of the Japanese-Turkmen Interparliamentary Friendship Group, member of the House of Councilors of Japan Shimpei Matsushita and other Japanese deputies.
The parties emphasized the important role of interparliamentary friendship groups in the development of bilateral relations. Issues of improving their work, establishing connections between relevant parliamentary committees and organizing mutual visits were discussed. Japanese parliamentarians also received an invitation to attend the celebration in Turkmenistan of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the classic of Turkmen literature Magtymguly Fragi.
Meeting at the Japanese Cabinet of Ministers
At a meeting with the Secretary General of the Cabinet of Ministers of Japan Yoshimasa Hayashi, the delegation of Turkmenistan discussed the priorities of bilateral cooperation in various fields.
The parties noted the importance of deepening the partnership between the two countries in politics, economics, and culture. Particular attention was paid to continuing joint work within the framework of the “Central Asia + Japan” dialogue. The prospects for implementing large economic projects in Turkmenistan with the participation of Japanese companies were also discussed. The importance of expanding humanitarian ties and studying the languages of the two countries was emphasized.
Expanding interparliamentary cooperation
Issues of expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation were discussed at a meeting of the delegation of Turkmenistan with the Chairman of the House of Representatives of the Japanese Parliament Fukushiro Nukaga.
The parties noted the importance of initiatives to strengthen ties put forward by the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his visit to Japan in September 2022. Particular attention was paid to intensifying the work of the interparliamentary friendship group, developing youth exchanges, and expanding the role of women in interparliamentary relations.
The implementation of the initiative to hold a meeting of parliamentary leaders of Central Asia and Japan in Ashgabat was also discussed. The parties agreed to develop bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy and exchange legislative experience.
Meeting with Turkmen students in Japan
On the final day of the visit, the delegation of Turkmenistan held a meeting in Tokyo with Turkmen students who are studying in Japan. At the meeting, the significance of the motto of 2024 in Turkmenistan “The Fount of the Mind of Magtymguly Fragi”, as well as the conditions created in Turkmenistan for the education and development of youth were discussed.
Students were told about the improvement of the Law of Turkmenistan “On State Youth Policy”, the new version of which was adopted in 2022, as well as about new benefits and opportunities for young professionals in the country.
Also within the framework of the meeting, a presentation of the first book of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov “Youth is the support of the motherland” was held.