Turkmen president, Israeli FM discuss bilateral ties, opening of diplomatic mission

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Israel's Foreign minister Eli Cohen on Thursday met in Ashgabat.

“So begins the historic visit to Turkmenistan, with a meeting with President (Serdar) Berdimuhamedov. We talked about strengthening ties between the countries, and the president said he would consider opening an embassy in Israel,” Cohen said on Twitter.

He added that Turkmenistan is an “energy powerhouse” and that strengthening of bilateral ties “will contribute to security, stability and the economy.”

Cohen also held a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov, and the two later inaugurated the Israeli Embassy in Ashgabat.

Mardov told me "he sees great importance in strengthening the relationship between the countries," Cohen said, adding: "We discussed cooperation in the fields of security, energy, technology, agriculture and more."

Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry said the two ministers discussed issues of a political and diplomatic nature, and touched upon cooperation within the framework of international platforms.

The parties also considered the possibilities of expanding trade and economic ties by establishing “direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries.”