Turkmenistan's positions on cooperation in the gas and transport areas were voiced by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov at the Third Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Central Asia and China held in Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan) today.

According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, R. Meredov declared Turkmenistan's readiness to consistently increase natural gas supplies to China through the territory of Central Asia.

In terms of transport cooperation, the Head of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry noted the relevancy and real possibility of establishing multimodal transport links from China to the west through the territory of Central Asia.

"In this context, it seems expectable to use the possibilities of Turkmenistan's port infrastructure on the Caspian Sea," R. Meredov stressed.

During the meeting, the parties also paid special attention to the Afghan problem, joining efforts to combat new threats and challenges, working together to overcome the consequences of the pandemic, and a number of other important issues.

Following its results, a Joint Statement, a Roadmap for the development of regional cooperation for 2022-2025, an Initiative to deepen cooperation between the Central Asian states and China in the field of interconnectedness, an Initiative for interaction in ensuring security of digital data between China and the countries of Central Asia were adopted.

During his visit to Nur-Sultan, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan held separate meetings with his colleagues from China, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, during which bilateral cooperation, regional and international issues were discussed.

To recap, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov is in the capital of Kazakhstan on a two-day visit by special Order of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to participate in the work of the next, Third Meeting of Foreign Ministers "Central Asia – China", as well as to hold bilateral meetings.