Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who arrived in the country on an official visit, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported.

The parties discussed the status and prospects of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, political, diplomatic, and cultural and humanitarian spheres. The talks were held initially in a narrow format, then in an expanded format with the participation of delegations from both countries.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmen-Malaysian relations have been developing for over thirty years: during this time, nine mutual high-level visits have taken place, and an extensive legal framework has been established. Malaysia was among the first countries to recognize Turkmenistan's independence and establish diplomatic relations with it.

Cooperation in the oil and gas sector was identified as a key vector of bilateral cooperation. The Malaysian company Petronas has been operating in Turkmenistan since 1996. In the near future, it plans to begin developing new hydrocarbon deposits on the Turkmen shelf of the Caspian Sea with its participation.

Malaysia's support for the UN resolution on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, adopted in May of this year, was also noted during the talks. The parties confirmed their intention to strengthen cooperation within the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as to develop interregional dialogue between Central and Southeast Asia.

In the area of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the parties noted the importance of holding cross-cultural days and developing academic exchanges. Anwar Ibrahim reported that approximately 100 poems by Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi have been translated into Malaysian.

Next year, Turkmenistan and Malaysia will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.