Turkmen president, new Saudi ambassador discuss investment, fuel, energy ties

ASHGABAT. April 18 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov accepted credentials from Saudi Arabia's newly appointed Ambassador in Ashgabat Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri at their meeting, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper said on Friday.

While discussing bilateral cooperation, Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan attaches special significance to expanding its close partnership with Saudi Arabia. He also thanked Saudi Arabia for actively supporting Ashgabat's initiatives and proposals at the international level.

The sides also exchanged views on today's state of bilateral trade and economic partnership and its development prospects, confirming a steady annual increase in mutual trade.

The fuel and energy sector, trade, investment, transport and communications, the chemical industry, the textile sector and agriculture were named among the promising areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia.

The sides agreed that there are extensive opportunities for bilateral ties in culture, science and art.