Hu: Sino-Turkmen cooperation needs support from legislatures

Chinese President Hu Jintao meets with Chairwoman of the Turkmen Assembly Akdzha Nurberdyeva in Ashgabat, capital of Turkmenistan, August 29, 2008.
The promotion of cooperation between China and Turkmenistan requires the support of their respective legislatures, Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Friday.

Hu, who is on a state visit to the Central Asian country, made the remarks at a meeting with Akdzha Nurberdyeva, chairperson of the Majlis, or the Turkmen parliament.

"China hopes Turkmenistan's Majlis will continue to nurture and support the growth of bilateral ties," President Hu said.

He hailed the smooth growth of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic relations 16 years ago.

"China's economy is complementary to that of Turkmenistan, and bilateral economic cooperation has much potential to move forward," he said.

With the launching of key energy projects like a major gas pipeline, China and Turkmenistan can boost cooperation in many fields, the Chinese leader added.

However, the promotion of meaningful bilateral cooperation needs the strong support of both countries' legislatures, Hu said.

In response, Nurberdyeva said the friendship between Turkmenistan and China goes back a long way and the two nations have a long history of people-to-people exchanges.

"The social and economic development of both countries has seen rapid growth with huge potential remaining to be tapped," she said.

She emphasized that the Turkmen parliament firmly supports "the growth of friendly and cooperative bilateral relations."

Hu also expressed hope that the Chinese National People's Congress and the Turkmen parliament would increase exchanges to enable them to contribute further to bilateral ties.

On Friday afternoon, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov hosted a ceremony to honor President Hu with a "Niyazov" medal, the highest medal of the country awarded to foreign leaders for their great achievements in safeguarding world and regional peace and promoting the relations with Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan is the last stop of President Hu's three-nation Asian tour.

He has already visited the Republic of Korea and Tajikistan, where he attended the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization .

Source: Xinhua