ASHGABAT: President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov of Turkmenistan held a meeting on Saturday in Ashgabat that touched on ways to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of partnerships and investments.

The leaders also discussed latest regional developments and issues of mutual interest.

Sheikh Khalifa's meeting with Berdymukhammedov was followed by a round of talks between the two sides.

President Berdymukhammedov welcomed Sheikh Khalifa, describing UAE as one of Turkmenistan's key partners.

The leaders reiterated their keenness to make use of all commercial and economic potentials to strengthen co-operation between the two countries.

They also stressed the importance of co-ordinating the two countries stands in regional, international and humanitarian arenas.

The leaders also emphasised the need to enhance cultural exchange and to expand co-operation in tourism, sports and education.

The two leaders witnessed signing of a MOU for co-operation between the foreign ministries in the two countries.

It was signed by the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Deputy Chairman of Cabinet and Minister of Foreign Affairs Meredov Rasit.

An agreement on co-operation in standardisation, metrology, conformity and accreditation was signed by UAE Minister of Environment and Water Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad and Chairman of Turkmenistan’s National Authority for Quality and Specification Control Taj Mamidov.

Sheikh Khalifa and President Berdymukhammedov said the agreements signed reflected the two countries’ joint desire to strengthen their relations.

The leaders added that the deals were considered an extension to other agreements and MOUs signed between the two countries and covering different areas such as oil and gas, minerals, avoidance of double taxation and encouraging joint investments.

A joint statement issued by the two countries at the end of Sheikh Khalifa’s official visit to Turkmenistan detailed the talks held between the two sides, covering bilateral relations, regional and international developments and issues of mutual interests.

Sheikh Khalifa and Berdymukhammedov also confirmed the two countries’ determination to build an environment of mutual trust and understanding and to boost regional and international stability.

They also referred to the need to resolve international issues through diplomatic and peaceful means.

The talks covered situation in Central Asia and Middle East, as well as regional and international developments of mutual concern.

They also touched on investments between UAE and Turkmenistan in the fields of oil and gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and renewable energy through joint commission at the foreign ministers levels.

Sheikh Khalifa said the UAE was keen to provide more opportunities for co-operation and joint investments between the two countries.