President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo, who was in Turkmenistan on an official visit at the head of a representative delegation of his country.
Warmly welcoming the guest, the Head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that the meetings and negotiations within the framework of the visit would serve to further strengthening the bilateral inter-parliamentary ties. As President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, Turkmenistan highly appreciated traditionally friendly relations with the Republic of Korea and was ready to further develop them in all areas.
Expressing sincere gratitude for the cordial welcome, the Head of the Korean Parliament conveyed heartfelt greetings from President Yoon Suk Yeol to the Head of the Turkmen state, who addressed the wishes of wellbeing and prosperity to all the Turkmen people. At the same time, the commitment of the Republic of Korea to fruitful cooperation with Turkmenistan, based on the principles of mutual respect and trust, was confirmed.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea also expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for presenting him with a high award – the Bitaraplyk Order, emphasising that he would continue to contribute in every possible way to the development of the effective Turkmen-Korean partnership.
Addressing return greetings and best wishes to the President of the Republic of Korea, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted with satisfaction the ongoing nature of the interstate dialogue, dynamically developing both in bilateral and multilateral formats.
During the exchange of views on priority issues of the Turkmen-Korean relations, it was noted that our countries were constructively interacting in the political and diplomatic sphere, and through authoritative international organisations, primarily the UN. This is vividly evidenced by mutual support for initiatives aimed at ensuring global peace and sustainable development.
In recent years, contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries have also intensified, and mutual visits at a high parliamentary level are of particular importance. In this context, the visit of the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Korea, which took place in November 2022, and the visit of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan are important steps towards bringing the inter-parliamentary partnership to a new level. As it was emphasised, meetings, consultations and exchange of experience in that area also contributed to the improvement of the legal framework for the interstate cooperation, taking into account modern realities.
In continuation of the conversation, it was said that a long-term nature was inherent in the bilateral trade and economic partnership. A solid experience of cooperation between Turkmenistan and leading Korean companies has been gained, and a number of major projects in the gas chemical industry have been implemented. The large-scale programmes being implemented in our country provide broad prospects for the realisation of new joint projects.
At the same time, great importance is invariably attached to cooperation in the humanitarian sphere and the deepening of the traditional ties in the fields of culture and education. There is also a good potential for expanding contacts in the field of tourism. Interaction in these areas serves to bringing our peoples closer together and to strengthening the ties of friendship between them.
At the end of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo exchanged best wishes to each other, expressing confidence that the constructive and fruitful interstate dialogue would continue to develop successfully across its entire spectrum, acquiring new concrete content.
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During the stay in Turkmenistan, a visit to the city of Arkadag was organised for the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the delegation accompanying him. The Korean guests acquainted themselves with the sights and infrastructure of the new city, which includes a large complex of social, cultural and other facilities.
The grand opening of the country’s first “smart” city is known to have taken place on June 29 with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan. The implementation of this grandiose project, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is based on the conception of “smart city”, which provides for the integration of advanced digital, information, communication and “green” technologies into all spheres of life. The environmental aspect is given priority there, as evidenced by the equipping of the public transport fleet with electric buses and taxis.
Looking around the city of Arkadag, located at the picturesque foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains and having received a special legal status of a city of state significance on a legislative basis, the guests said they were impressed by its architectural ensemble, in which modern trends in urban planning and design were harmoniously combined with the traditions of national architecture and created optimally comfortable conditions for residents. The uniqueness of the new city is also evidenced by the fact that it has been awarded a number of certificates and diplomas from international organisations and leading foreign companies.
It is also noteworthy that the new city has grown in one of the most beautiful places in the Turkmen land – the birthplace of the legendary Ahalteke horses. One of its decorations is a monument depicting the image of the horse Akhan, the world record holder, included in the Guinness World Records. Aba Annayev International Academy of Horse Breeding and the Horse Breeding Research and Production Centre are located on the territory of the city.
In the course of acquaintance with the city of Arkadag, the Korean guests also visited Gerogly State Equestrian Circus, where they became spectators of demonstration performances by the Galkynyş Group of National Equestrian Games. This team has gained wide popularity not only in our country, but also abroad. The beauty, grace and agility of Ahalteke horses, the perfected skills of horse riding and breath-taking tricks performed by Turkmen riders aroused genuine admiration of the guests.
On the circus arena, the famous horse Akhan also demonstrated his noble build. At the end of the performance, the Korean guests took a picture with this magnificent representative of the famous Ahalteke breed of horses.
On the same day, an excursion was organised for the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and members of the delegation accompanying him to the National Museum of the Turkmen Carpet located in Ashgabat. Its exposition presents magnificent examples of the art of Turkmen carpet weaving, included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Being an artistic expression of the spiritual identity of our people, an integral part of its richest cultural heritage and the inseparable connection of times and the continuity of generations, Turkmen handmade carpets are highly valued and famous all over the world for their perfect beauty and impeccable quality. The traditions of their creation, rooted deep into the millennia, are now adequately continued by new generations of craftswomen. Distinctive features of Turkmen carpets are their unique ornament and colouring and original symbolism which since ancient times reflected the history and life philosophy of the people and the beauty of their native land.
With great interest, the Korean guests acquainted themselves with the exhibits of the museum collection – rare specimens and modern products, expressing admiration for the wonderful manmade carpets being vivid evidence of the talent and unsurpassed skills of Turkmen carpet weavers.