M'SIAN PM ARRIVES FOR TWO-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN

From Jamaluddin Muhammad

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan), Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived here Wednesday for a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan, the second and final destination of his central Asian tour to strengthen relations with the region.

His executive jet touched down AT the Ashgabat International Airport at
9.25am (12.25pm Malaysian time) and he was welcomed by Deputy Chairman of the
Cabinet Ministers of Turkmenistan Tagyyev Tachbeerdi.

He then proceeded to the Oil and Gas Exhibiton here where Malaysian oil
company Petronas also took part.

Abdullah is scheduled to visit the Turkmenbashynyn Ruhy Metjidi Mosque here
before attending a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of
Independence.

He and his wife, Jeanne Abdullah, will later join the Malaysian community
for lunch here.

The highlight of the visit will be a meeting betweeen Abdullah and
Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Cabinet of Ministers
Building here, followed by a delegation meeting between the two
countries.

Both leaders will witness the signing of an avoidance of double taxation
agreement between the two nations by Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's
Department senator Amirsham Aziz and Turkmenistan's Deputy Chairman of the
Cabinet of Ministers in charge of Economic ad Financial Affairs Geldimuradov
Hojamurad.

The Malaysian delegation includes Minister in the Prime Minister's
Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz and Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said.

Abdullah and Jeanne will attend an official dinner to be hosted
Tachbeerdi.

Abdullah is scheduled to attend a briefing by Petronas on its oil and gas
activities in Turkmenistan before leaving for home on Thursday.

He flew here after a four-day visit to Uzbekistan.