The President of Turkmenistan warmly greeted Nursultan Nazarbayev on hospitable Turkmen land and expressed his gratitude for participating in the forthcoming opening ceremony of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
- This is our common holiday, a holiday of all the states of Central Asia. This is an indicator of our solidarity and cohesion. Representatives of 64 countries take part in the Games, and at the request of the United Nations a national team consisting of refugees as a 65 country; they will compete under the banner of these Games, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
During the meeting, the Turkmen leader particularly noted the indelible impression that the high organizational level of EXPO-2017 specialized international exhibition in Astana made.
In his turn, Nursultan Nazarbayev thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the invitation to participate in the opening ceremony of the 5th Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts Games and emphasized the significance of holding such events.
- I congratulate you on the holding of these Asian Games. Many sports facilities have been built, which in the future will serve the good of your people. Such events make it possible for Turkmenistan to become more recognizable in the world. This year Kazakhstan this year has also hosted a large-scale sports competition - the 28th World Winter Universiade. In general, organizing major international events in our region is very important, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Head of the State has also focused on fraternal relations with neighbouring Turkmenistan and noted the need for further development of bilateral cooperation.
- After your visit to Kazakhstan much has been done; the Interstate Commission is functioning. I think that we have good prospects in the economic sphere. I have arrived here from Uzbekistan, where I was on a state visit. A lot of issues have been resolved: cross-border cooperation, excises, taxes, tariffs in the sphere of transportation. Immediately there was an increase in trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, this year it has grown by 35%. I hope for such an extension of relations between our countries, Nursultan Nazarbayev concluded.
In conclusion, the President of Kazakhstan wished success to the people of Turkmenistan and personally to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, as well as to all athletes who were going to participate in the Games.
