Turkmenistan, whose foreign policy is based on the principles of positive neutrality, attaches great importance to consolidating efforts to ensure peace, security and sustainable development in the world, including through effective interaction with major international organisations such as the OSCE, the head of state said at the meeting.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the meeting of the OSCE Secretary General and Environment Ministers of Central Asian countries held in Ashgabat on 4 March would give impetus to intensifying dialogue in this area.

The President reminded that Turkmenistan had announced its accession to the Global Methane Commitment and proposed to establish a UN Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia in our country. This is an eloquent confirmation of the Turkmen state's commitment to multilateral partnership in the spheres of ecology and environment, the head of state noted.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Helga Schmid exchanged views on key issues of cooperation. As reported in the newscast of the national State TV and Radio Company, the energy sector was identified as one of the promising areas. The head of state spoke in favour of working within the OSCE, including political, financial and environmental aspects, on the use of pipelines to bring Turkmen energy carriers to the world market and transit.

The prospects for co-operation in the transport sector were also noted. In general, Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness to expand its partnership with the OSCE in priority areas.