In Manama negotiations between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa took place. As was already informed, on the day before, the head of the Turkmen state arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain with an official visit.
Today, before the start of the high-level negotiations, the head of Turkmenistan visited the Bahrain Economic Development Council. In the morning, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed towards the head office of the Council, where he was warmly welcomed by Deputy Prime Minster of the Kingdom of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and heads of the given structure.
For the high guest, the presentation, which enables to get a visual picture of the Bahrain Economic Development Council and peculiarity of its work, was organized.
Deputy Prime Minster of the Kingdom of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa once again warmly welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on behalf of the top leadership of his country. It was expressed confidence that the visit of the head of Turkmenistan will give a new impulse for development of bilateral cooperation, expansion of the range of its areas and facilitate all-round strengthening of the traditional interstate dialogue of friendship and fruitful partnership.
Within the framework of the presentation, the leadership of the Council also presented a detailed information of main areas of its work.
Further, the President of Turkmenistan was invited to get acquainted with the model map of Bahrain. There, the high guest was familiarized with investment projects implemented in the country and existing opportunities for cooperation.
Having thanked Deputy Prime Minster of the Kingdom of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and the leadership of the Council for the substantial presentation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan is always open for fruitful interaction with Bahrain and its business circles.
In the first half of the day, the President of Turkmenistan headed towards the Al-Qudaibiya Palace. There, on the square an official welcoming ceremony took place for the high guest.
The motorcade of the head of Turkmenistan stops at the central entrance to the Palace. There, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov is cordially welcomed by King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Heads of the two states pass to the specially installed podium. The commander of the guards of honour lined on the square reports solemnly. National hymns of Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain play accompanied with volleys of gun salute in honour of the high guest.
Heads of the two states pass into the Palace. The President of Turkmenistan and King of Bahrain are introduced to members of official delegations of both countries.
Further, at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace high-level bilateral talks were held.
Having cordially welcomed once again President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and having underlined that Turkmenistan for Bahrain is a brotherly, friendly country, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa gave a high appreciation of the established interstate relations. At that, it was expressed confidence that the present high-level meeting will give new impulses for Turkmen-Bahrain cooperation and will play an active role in further development of bilateral relations based on principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.
Having thanked sincerely King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the invitation to make an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the accorded warm welcome, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out that Turkmenistan attaches great attention to expansion of fruitful relations with brotherly Bahrain, which are developed in the spirit of mutual trust and constructiveness.
Speaking of it, the head of the state conveyed to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minster Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and people of Bahrain warm greetings and best wishes from national leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Further, during the talks, which were held in the businesslike atmosphere of mutual understanding, priority issues of Turkmen-Bahrain cooperation were discussed and readiness of the sides for its intensification in all areas was stated. The attention was drawn to the future of trade and economic partnership, heads of the two states also underlined importance of interaction in the humanitarian and cultural spheres as an inseparable factor of rapprochement of peoples of Turkmenistan and Bahrain and strengthening of links of friendship between them.
During the meeting, the sides exchanged views of a number of topical issues of international and regional significance and mutual interest.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited the King and Crown Prince, Prime Minister of Bahrain to visit Turkmenistan in the near future. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.
The President of Turkmenistan and King of Bahrain exchanged keepsakes with each other.
Further, the talks continued with full participation of official delegations of both countries.
At first, in presence of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa the ceremony of signing of bilateral documents took place.
The following are signed: Agreement on air communications between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Kingdom of Bahrain in handcrafts and traditions connected with heritage; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Academy of Diplomatic Sciences named after Muhammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Kingdom of Bahrain on cooperation in marine transport; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Kingdom of Bahrain on cooperation in railway transport; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Kingdom of Bahrain on cooperation in general, technical and higher education; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Government of Turkmenistan and Government of Kingdom of Bahrain on cooperation in standardization, certification, accreditation and metrology; Program of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and Department of Culture and Antiquities of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the field of culture for 2023-2027; Agreement on cooperation between the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Bahrain Development Bank.
The certificate of partnership in the Global Logistics Hub "Sea-Air", according to which, in accordance with mutual strive for development of trade and economic relations, the Kingdom of Bahrain gives our country a status of partner within the framework of the given Hub, was handed to the Turkmen side.
By the outcome of the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Bahrain a joint communique was adopted.
Upon completion of the ceremony of signing, having addressed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and marked that it is his first visit to Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with satisfaction stated that for past years fruitful relations were established between our countries, which are based on commonness of historical and cultural roots of the two friendly peoples and cover different areas.
Having pointed out that he with great warmth remembers his visit to Turkmenistan in 2019, the King of Bahrain underlined presence of favourable opportunities and possibilities for further development of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including in economy and trade, energy, food industry, investment, humanitarian and cultural spheres, tourism and others.
Having completed his speech, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa informed that for a great contribution in strengthening and development of relations of friendship between the two countries, for the creative policy facilitating maintenance of peace, stability and security in the region and world, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was awarded the highest award of the Kingdom of Bahrain – Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of the first degree.
In a solemn atmosphere and to applaud of the present, the King of Bahrain handed the head of Turkmenistan this special honorary award and wished new great achievements in his responsible state activity.
Having expressed his acknowledgement for warm welcome and hospitality once again, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1995, our countries have displayed firm adherence to the constructive dialogue in bilateral and multilateral formats.
Having pointed out that the visit of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to our country in 2019 became an important step on the path of development of Turkmen-Bahrain cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined that bilateral partnership possesses a form potential in many areas, including in the trade and economic sphere, and private sector. Further, developing on the topic, the head of Turkmenistan proposed to create a business council as well as to hold exhibitions of entrepreneurs of both countries. It will make a good impulse for intensification of mutually beneficial contacts between business structures of Turkmenistan and Bahrain and expansion of investment activity.
Having expressed his sincere gratitude to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the honour –Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of the first degree, the head of the state underlined that he considers this high award as a token of deep respect for Turkmenistan and its people, a visual symbol of firm links of friendship and brotherhood between our countries. At the end of his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov conveyed his best wishes to the top leadership and people of Bahrain.
In the second half of the day, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed towards the Safiriya Palace, where King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa warmly welcomed the head of Turkmenistan.
During the conversation, heads of the two countries with satisfaction noted the resultativeness of today’s talks and their aim at achievement of concrete goals, confirming mutual intention of the sides to bring our relations out to the new level meeting new realities of the time.
Development of horse breeding, which enjoys age-old traditions in Turkmenistan and Bahrain, became a topic of interested discussion.
It is known that both in our country and states of the Arabic world, from time immemorial people have been engaged in horse breeding. Both in Bahrain and in Turkmenistan great attention is attached to development of this traditional sector and equestrian sports. Peoples of both countries are united for their sincere love and special attitude to their horses. It stipulates favourable preconditions for fruitful cooperation and exchange of experience in the given area.
Then, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa invited the President of Turkmenistan to visit the equestrian centre located in the territory of the Palace. There, a show of horses was organized for the high guest.
Accompanied by the King of Bahrain, the head of Turkmenistan watched the show of purebred Arab horses as well as horses of other breeds. It is noteworthy that among them are horses of Ahalteke breed as well. The history of horse breeding in the friendly country became a topic of interested attention for President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
As a token of acknowledgment of his service in strengthening of interstate relations and contribution to development of age-old horse breeding tradition, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was presented with two wonderful horses of Arabic breed.
The head of Turkmenistan thanked the King of Bahrain noting presence of prospects to strengthen bilateral interaction of specialists in the given area that in general, will serve for enrichment of content of the interstate dialogue.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa warmly bid farewell to each other expressing confidence in further successful development of Turkmen-Bahrain relations and conveying their best wishes to peoples of both countries.
On the same day, the head of the Turkmen state visited the national museum of the Kingdom of Bahrain. There, at the central entrance the high guest was welcomed by the head of the Department of Culture and Antiquities of Bahrain Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmad bin Abdullah all Khalifa and leadership of the museum.
Accompanied by representatives of the Bahrain side, the President of Turkmenistan made an excursion to the national museum, multifaceted exposition of which tells of ancient history of the Kingdom of Bahrain, its culture and art.
In halls of the museum archaeological findings, as well as artefacts of the epoch of Dilmun kingdom, which existed in the remote past in the territory of Bahrain and other various exhibits, were displayed. Thematic sections of the exposition give an opportunity to be familiarized with customs and traditions, peculiarities of life mode, handcrafts of people of the friendly country. A separate sector tells of pearling –an old traditional industry of Bahrain people. In the museum, one can see samples of ceramic and glass articles, jewellery items of all epochs as well as works of modern masters of fine art of Bahrain.
A number of sections are devoted to the Arabic language and art of calligraphy. There one can see rare samples of the sacred Koran dated to the 13th-14th centuries, old manuscripts and historical documents.
Having familiarized himself with great interest with the museum exposition, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked representatives of the Bahrain side for the informative excursion and made a memorial note in the Book of honorary guests.
Having expressed his sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his visit to the museum and attention to its exposition, representatives of Bahrain spoke for intensification of the bilateral cultural and humanitarian dialogue.
On behalf of the national museum of Bahrain, the high guest was presented with a keepsake –books of history and culture of the Bahrain people.
On behalf of our country, the museum was donated with a wonderful Turkmen carpet and book by Hero Arkadag devoted to Ahalteke horses.
Having completed the program of his official visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov headed towards the international airport of Bahrain, where he left for his country.
Having completed its flight to Ashgabat, the presidential airliner landed in the capital international airport. there, the head of Turkmenistan was welcomed by officials, who cordially congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with the success of his official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the high state award of the friendly country - Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of the first degree.
The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.
