On June 26, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow met with the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, Yasar Guler.

Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet in person, the guest conveyed warm greetings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to the President of Turkmenistan. It was emphasized that Turkey attaches special importance to expanding multi-dimensional partnership with our country, which gains concrete substance each year through joint efforts.

Thanking for the kind words, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow extended warm greetings in return to the leader of the fraternal state, noting that the development and strengthening of strategic and long-term cooperation with the Republic of Turkey remains an unchanged priority on Turkmenistan's foreign policy agenda. Highlighting the significance of the working visit by the defense minister of the friendly country to Ashgabat, the head of state expressed confidence that the upcoming meetings and negotiations will give a new impetus to Turkmen-Turkish relations in this sphere.

During the meeting, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan and the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral partnership, which has substantial potential. It was underscored that the centuries-old bonds of friendship and brotherhood between our countries serve as a solid foundation for further development of interstate cooperation in the present era. Significant contributions of regular visits of governmental delegations, consultations, and negotiations between the relevant agencies of both countries were also acknowledged in strengthening Turkmen-Turkish relations.

Currently, the Republic of Turkey ranks among Turkmenistan's major trade and economic partners and holds a leading position in foreign trade turnover. In this context, opportunities for enhancing fruitful ties were discussed.

The effective nature of bilateral cooperation in defense and military spheres was particularly noted. President Serdar Berdimuhamedow emphasized that independent, perpetually neutral Turkmenistan consistently adheres to the principles of a strictly defensive Military Doctrine. The country provides all necessary conditions for enhancing combat readiness of the Armed Forces personnel and other military branches.

Turkmen defenders participate in seminars held in the Republic of Turkey aimed at improving professionalism and studying advanced military methods on a systematic basis. Regular exchange of experience in modernizing material and technical equipment of the National Army and implementing new technologies was also discussed. In this regard, the head of state and the guest discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in this sphere.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow and the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey expressed confidence that traditionally friendly interstate cooperation will continue to successfully develop in the name of ensuring peace and prosperity in both fraternal countries and the region.