PM NAJIB ASSURES TURKMENISTAN PETRONAS INTENDS TO BE "A TRUE PARTNER"

 
    FROM KHAIRDZIR MD YUNUS
      
    ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN, July 12 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak Monday assured Turkmenistan that Malaysia's national oil corporation Petronas intends to be "a true partner" to Turkmenistan.
    
    He said Petronas intended to be a good corporate citizen here as well as to cooperate closely as a true partner in Turkmenistan.
    
    "We will work closely together, we'll do things together, and we will abide by the laws and policies of your country," Najib said at the joint press conference with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov after both leaders held bilateral discussions at the Presidential Palace here Monday.
    
    Najib said by doing so and by being sensitive to the local aspirations, he was confident that the joint venture between Petronas and its counterpart in Turkmenistan would proceed very smoothly and would benefit the two countries.
    
    Malaysia, through Petronas, is offering students from Turkmenistan
opportunities to study at Petronas University in Malaysia as well as provide places at the technical level through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MCTP).
        
    "So we are going to place a lot of importance in terms of what we can contribute to your country especially in terms of capacity building," he said.
    
    With respect to trade, Najib said the volume was small but with the support of the private sector, trade volumes between the two countries could be brought to a higher level.
    
    Najib said both countries should develop people-to-people ties between them as they share similar cultural traits.
    
    "Both peoples are friendly and the people of Turkmenistan should feel at home in Malaysia," he said.
    
    Najib said as testament of Malaysia's commitment and desire to further enhance and consolidate its relations with Turkmenistan, Malaysia had decided to establish a diplomatic Mission in Ashgabat to be headed by a resident Ambassador before the end of the year.
    
    He hoped Turkmenistan could consider favourably on establishing a similar diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya in the near future.
    
    Najib said he and the president had had a fruitful and productive discussion Monday which covered a wide range of issues of common interest.
    
    "I am very pleased with the productive discussions held today and thank President Berdimuhamedov for the commitment expressed to elevate
Turkmenistan-Malaysia bilateral ties.
    
    "I keenly believe that Malaysia-Turkmenistan bilateral relations will be further strengthened, for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both countries," he said.
    
    Meanwhile, President Berdimuhamedov proposed that a Turkmenistan-Malaysia conference on science and culture be held in Ashgabat next year.
    
    He also proposed that Malaysia's Cultural Day be held in Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan Cultural Day in Malaysia.
    
    On Tuesday, Najib and Berdimuhamedov will together inaugurate the Petronas Gas Terminal in Kiyanli, Turkmenbashy, about 600km from Ashgabat.
    -- BERNAMA
 

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