THREE DECADES OF PAKISTAN-TURKMENISTAN RELATIONS.

Turkmenistan and Pakistan have a time-tested friendship spanning over thirty years. Both countries continued building cooperation through strong bonding of political, diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties. With the sharing of similar insights on global and regional issues, Pakistan and Turkmenistan continuously supported each other in building international peace through dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan stood by Turkmenistan on its important foreign policy stance of permanent neutrality. On the other hand, Turkmenistan supported Pakistan on not only global and regional issues but offered tremendous energy and connectivity projects that could change the fate of the country_ As a result of the visionary leadership of former President Gurbanguly, Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan is one of the most widely respected nations on the global stage for promoting the values of peace, prosperity_ and development_ Now with the new President S-erdar Berdimuhamedov. the vision of togetherness and ail efforts la develop deep-rooted cooperation.

Over the past three decades, the robust relations continued to grow in diverse directions from policy levels to cultural cooperation, energy sector and trade_ people-to-people ties. and cooperation in education and research. Up to date, more than 60 international agreements have been signed between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which have formed a solid legal framework for productive bilateral cooperation and cooperation in the international arena. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Pakistan has supported Turkmenistan, its independence_ sovereignty, and the status of Permanent Neutrality_ Pakistan and

Turkmenistan are members of important regional and international forums_ including the United Nations_ the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Over the course of three decades, there were several high-fevel visits from both sides_ including visits of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers. There were several i mportant joint ministerial commission sessions held to move forward the ideals of cooperation in diverse sectors. Although trade volume is not encouraging, it is steadily growing through a strong will as there is enormous potential for the promotion of trade between the Mocountries.

Turkmenistan offers Pakistan huge support in energy, electricity and communication sectors especially the...