On February 28, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, met with Vice President of the World Bank for the Europe and Central Asia region, Ms. Antonella Bassani, Regional Director of the World Bank for Central Asia, Ms. Tatiana Proskuryakova, and Regional Director of the International Finance Corporation for Central Asia and Turkey, Ms. Wiebke Schloemer.

Expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to hold the meeting, the guests highly praised Turkmenistan’s significant achievements as the country continues to advance confidently along the path of economic reforms. Taking the opportunity, Ms. Antonella Bassani conveyed warm greetings to Hero-Arkadag on behalf of the leadership of the World Bank.

Representatives of international financial organizations, highly appreciating Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy, emphasized the crucial role of the country’s legal status of neutrality in strengthening global peace and the importance of international initiatives put forward by Hero-Arkadag in this regard. They also extended their sincere congratulations to Hero-Arkadag and the entire Turkmen nation on the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality.

Warmly welcoming representatives of major international financial institutions to the ancient and hospitable land of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag expressed appreciation for their kind words and conveyed his best wishes to the leadership of the World Bank. The National Leader of the Turkmen People expressed confidence that the meetings scheduled as part of the visit would facilitate a productive exchange of views on the current state and prospective directions of economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and the World Bank and wished success to the negotiations.

As noted during the meeting, the expansion of international cooperation, particularly the strengthening of relations with reputable financial organizations and banking and credit institutions, plays a key role in implementing Turkmenistan’s economic development strategy.

Hero-Arkadag highlighted the effective nature of the dialogue established between Turkmenistan and the World Bank. It was noted that over the years of partnership, the Bank has participated in financing several projects of great importance for the country’s sustainable socio-economic development, particularly in healthcare, education, transport, communications, and energy.

The transport sector is also one of Turkmenistan’s key strategic priorities. Special attention is given to coordinating different modes of transport, with measures being taken to develop multifunctional international transport corridors of regional significance along the North-South and East-West routes.

In this context, the need to enhance international Trans-Caspian transport operations and fully utilize the available potential was emphasized.

Hero-Arkadag noted that the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi, which connects European and Asian regions, has significant capacity for expanding transit capabilities. Turkmenistan reaffirmed its readiness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the World Bank and consider its specific proposals for participation in ongoing transport corridor development projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag, and representatives of major international financial institutions expressed confidence that their fruitful cooperation would continue successfully and exchanged best wishes.

Source: State News Agency of Turkmenistan