BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Turkmenistan and
South Africa have discussed ways to strengthen political dialogue
and expand bilateral cooperation, including through parliamentary
exchanges and engagement within international organizations.


This was reflected in a press release published by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan following a meeting between
Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Gurbanov and the newly appointed
Ambassador of South Africa to Turkmenistan, Lungisani Dominic
Ntombela, held today.


In the course of the meeting, the sides emphasized the
importance of consistently developing bilateral relations based on
mutual respect, equality and constructive engagement.


They also expressed interest in intensifying political dialogue,
maintaining reciprocal visits and meetings at the highest and high
levels, and expanding cooperation within international
organizations, primarily the United Nations.


“Particular attention was paid to the prospects for developing
interparliamentary cooperation, including the initiative to
establish an interparliamentary friendship group aimed at promoting
mutual understanding and expanding bilateral ties,” the report
added.







For reference, Turkmenistan and South Africa established
diplomatic relations on May 11, 1992. However, bilateral ties have
remained relatively limited, with cooperation focused primarily on
political dialogue, engagement within international organizations
and efforts to identify opportunities for trade and economic
cooperation.


In 2016, the two countries held political consultations in
Ashgabat, discussing prospects for cooperation in trade, the
economy, the oil and gas industry and textiles. In March 2022,
Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and his South African
counterpart Naledi Pandor held a telephone conversation and agreed
to intensify diplomatic contacts and arrange reciprocal visits. In
August 2022, Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Batyr
Rejepov, presented his credentials to South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa, having been accredited to South Africa on a non-resident
basis. At the same time, South Africa's ambassador to Turkmenistan
is based in Astana, Kazakhstan.


In October 2023, representatives of the two foreign ministries
again discussed bilateral cooperation and agreed to step up
contacts, hold inter-ministerial consultations and develop the
legal framework for bilateral relations.