NATO envoy, Turkmen president discuss fight against drugs, terrorism,

ASHGABAT, June 25 (Itar-Tass) -- NATO attaches great importance to
cooperation with Turkmenistan as a recognized peace-making center, which
plays a key role in Central Asia, the special representative of NATO's
Secretary-General for Central Asia and the Caucasus, James Appathurai,
said at a meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on
Friday.
The president of Turkmenistan, as it has been reported by his press
office, "noted with satisfaction the fruitful cooperation with NATO,"
called for "the continuation of the traditional cooperation within the
framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace program" and expressed
confidence that "constructive relations between Turkmenistan and NATO will
continue to thrive and serve the interests of universal peace and
prosperity."
During the meeting Appathurai and Berdimuhamedov exchanged views on
prospects for cooperation in disaster effects elimination, struggle
against illegal drug trafficking, international terrorism and organized
crime. They also noted the importance of strengthening contacts in the
scientific-educational sphere, the improvement which is one of the key
aspects of Turkmenistan's state policy.
A separate theme of the meeting was support for Afghanistan's quest
for stability and peace.
NATO appreciates the effectiveness of assistance provided by the
Turkmen state in the reconstruction of social and economic infrastructures
in neighboring Afghanistan, said Appathurai. In this regard, the theme was
raised of a gas pipeline project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India
(TAPI), which should contribute to the sustainable development of the
Asian region.