President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received U.S. Senator from Montana, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Steve Daines, in Ashgabat on Thursday to discuss priority areas of bilateral cooperation, Turkmen state media reported.

The two sides reviewed the current state and future prospects of political, diplomatic, trade, economic and cultural ties between Turkmenistan and the United States. Head of the State noted, relations between the two countries continued to develop on the basis of mutual respect, trust and understanding.

Senator Daines conveyed greetings and best wishes from U.S. President Donald Trump. Turkmen President thanked the U.S. president for the message, extended his best wishes in return and congratulated the American people on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. He said the senator's visit would contribute to further strengthening Turkmen-U.S. cooperation.

Parties highlighted trade and economic cooperation remained a key pillar of bilateral relations. Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlihtedTurkmenistan's experience working with U.S. companies and the role of the Turkmenistan–U.S. Business Council in promoting commercial ties. He also noted that the council's recent meeting in Ashgabat had created new opportunities to discuss mutually beneficial projects.

During the meeting identified energy, transport, finance, banking, advanced technologies and artificial intelligence as priority areas for future cooperation. Turkmen President reaffirmed Turkmenistan's strategy of diversifying energy export routes and welcomed U.S. support for the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) natural gas pipeline, saying the project would help strengthen regional economic development and cooperation.

The meeting also covered opportunities to expand cooperation in education, science and culture. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmen students are studying in the United States and cooperation between higher education institutions in the two countries has intensified in recent years.

At the end of the meeting, parties reaffirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to further develop long-term, multifaceted cooperation with the United States and wished Daines success in his work and the American people peace and prosperity.

Источник: business.com.tm