Turkmenistan-Malaysia:
25 Years of Diplomatic
Relations
MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL COOPERATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF TWO COUNTRIES AND PEOPLES
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Turkmenistan were established in 1992 and over these years, we have established strong bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, education, sports and many others. Our relations began to develop more with the opening of the Embassy of Malaysia in Turkmenistan in December 2011 and the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Malaysia in October 2013. Currently, owing to the efforts and personal attention of the leaders of the two countries, our relations are firmly established, consistently developing and reaching a qualitatively new level.
High-level bilateral visits are the evidence of the importance of developing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkmenistan. The first State Visit of the Esteemed President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia was in December 2011. And the second Official Visit of the President of Turkmenistan was on 8 November 2016. During the visit, Malaysia and Turkmenistan signed a number of documents aimed at strengthening cooperation in the field of economy, science, education and sport. Both sides also agreed to expand the scope of cooperation in the field of trade and investment, especially in the oil and gas sector. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak visited Turkmenistan on 9 – 10 June 2014 and in July 2011. The officials from Malaysia and Turkmenistan also met for the 1st Bilateral Consultation in Ashgabat on 7 November 2012 and the 2nd Bilateral Consultation in Kuala Lumpur on 19 April 2016. All this contributes to the development of strong and trusting relations between our countries.
Malaysia seeks to develop steadily the trade relations with Turkmenistan. For the period of 2016, Malaysia’s total trade with Turkmenistan expanded by 73.1%. The total export to Turkmenistan for 2016 rose by 67.7%, while the import from Turkmenistan increased by 50.5%. Malaysia exports items such as machinery, appliances, chemical products, electrical products, processed food and scientific equipment to Turkmenistan and imports agriculture products, textiles, clothing and footwear from Turkmenistan.
The Government of Malaysia highly values the opportunity given to PETRONAS Carigali Turkmenistan, Malaysian government-owned company, as the first foreign company to participate in the development of the oil and gas sector in Turkmenistan. PETRONAS Carigali signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for 32 years for Block 1 with the relevant government agency of Turkmenistan on 2 July 1996 where PETRONAS acts as the Operator with the gas. So far, PETRONAS has invested about USD10 billion in Turkmenistan and is committed to assist Turkmenistan in developing its oil and gas sector in the years to come. All these investment projects serve as clear evidence of our successful cooperation and contribute to the socioeconomic development of Turkmenistan.
Currently Malaysia’s popularity is growing as one of the major destinations for higher education and professional training amongst the Turkmen. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation in the field of Higher Education between Malaysia and Turkmenistan was signed in Ashgabat during the Official Visit by the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Turkmenistan on 10 June 2014. There are currently about 300 Turkmenistan students studying in Malaysian higher education institutions. PETRONAS also offers about 10 to 15 scholarships every year to Turkmenistan students to pursue their studies in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) at the level of Bachelor Degree.
Malaysia also continues to offer Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) courses to Turkmenistan. Under this programme, Turkmenistan has received training in the areas of diplomacy, planning and development, privatisation, development of food processing industry, banking, promoting foreign investment and the management of oil and gas.
Relations between our countries are strengthened and developing in the field of sports as well. Approaching the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Games (AIMAG) in September 2017, Malaysia has confirmed its participation in a number of games and is truly looking forward to participating in the AIMAG.
We highly appreciate the ties that have developed between our countries, which have a high potential. The Malaysian government is ready to further develop bilateral relations on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan and the brotherly people of Turkmenistan on this significant occasion and wish peace and prosperity. I sincerely hope that the friendly ties between our two peoples will continue to be strengthened for the benefit of our countries and peoples.
Roseli bin Abdul,
Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Malaysia
to Turkmenistan