On November 13, 2016 in the evening the President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas arrived to the Turkmen capital on his first official visit. On November 14, Turkmen-Palestinian negotiations at the highest level had been held in Ashgabat.
In the morning the motorcade of the distinguished guest, accompanied by an honorary escort of motorcyclists, followed by an honorary escort of horse-men followed from "Oguzkent" hotel to the Independence Square. There was an official ceremony of meeting of the President of Palestine.
Then President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas walked into the Palace complex. After the traditional photographing against the background of the national flags of the two countries, bilateral talks at the highest level in the "one-to-one" format were held.
During the conversation, the two leaders exchanged views on prospects for further development of the Turkmen-Palestinian cooperation in a wide range of areas, confirming the mutual focus on the intensification of the political dialogue as a sound basis for building up trade and economic and cultural-humanitarian relations.
Then the talks were continued in an expanded format - with the participation of the official delegations of the two countries. During the meeting the sides discussed a number of urgent problems, first of all, on such strategic directions as the strengthening of global security and sustainable development.
Summing up the talks, the President of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of the reached agreements and expressed confidence that today's summit has laid a solid foundation for all-round development of the Turkmen-Palestinian cooperation for the long term. Thanking for the kind words and good wishes, Mahmoud Abbas invited President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to visit Palestine on a return official visit. By agreement of the parties, the dates of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
After that, a ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas signed a Joint Statement. Then, in the presence of the leaders of the two countries the sides signed: Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Palestine on economic cooperation; Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Palestine on higher education cooperation; Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the State of Palestine on Cooperation in Tourism; Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan and the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency; Memorandum of Understanding between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan and the Chamber of Commerce of the State of Palestine.
After the signing ceremony, the two leaders made an address to the press. At the end of the meeting with the media, Palestinian President wished the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov good health and further success in his important work, as well as the welfare and prosperity of the Turkmen people.
In the afternoon, the Palestinian President's motorcade traveled to Kipchak, where Mahmoud Abbas paid tribute to the memory of the first President of Turkmenistan and laid flowers in the Mausoleum.
Then Palestinian President laid a wreath at the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan. At the Independence Park, in the Alley of honored guests, President Mahmoud Abbas planted a sapling in a sign of friendship between the two countries and peoples.
In the evening in honor of the high guest, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave an official dinner, during which the two leaders exchanged the speeches.
The official visit of the President of Palestine to Turkmenistan continues.
