As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports, after the end of the presidential inauguration, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov hosted an official reception at the Presidential palace in honour of heads of states, governments, parliaments and representative delegations from almost 30 countries of the world.

Then a number of face-to-face meetings between President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and high-ranking guests visiting Turkmenistan were held.

The new leader of the Turkmen state was cordially congratulated by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev who highly estimated the traditionally friendly Turkmen-Kazakh relations. The sides agreed to steadily continue and develop them in the interests of the people of the two states.

Having congratulated the Turkmen president on the convincing victory in the election, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko expressed confidence that the Turkmen-Ukrainian dialogue, based on constructive, mutually beneficial cooperation, will be continued on the same basis taking into account the traditionally friendly relations between the two peoples.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov, having shared his impression of the inauguration ceremony during his meeting with Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, stressed firmness of fraternal relations between Turkmen and Tajik peoples. The sides noted the need to further develop these relations to the benefit of both countries. Emomali Rahmonov invited Berdymukhammedov to visit Tajikistan at any convenient time and gave the Turkmen leader a letter of invitation.


Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili conveyed his cordial congratulations to Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. The Georgian leader, who is visiting Turkmenistan for the first time, shared his impression of the capital of Turkmenistan and the inauguration. In the course of the meeting the sides exchanged opinions on the prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Russian prime-minister, Mikhail Fradkov, congratulated the newly elected Turkmen president and handed over to him Russian President Vladimir Putin's congratulatory message. During the talks the sides focused on continuing collaboration between Turkmenistan and Russia. As the high guest noted, Russia believes in strengthening cooperation with Turkmenistan, and regards it as a strategic partner.

Turkish prime-minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan cordially greeted the Turkmen president. Having wished Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov successes in his responsible work as the president of Turkmenistan, he expressed confidence that centuries-old ties of fraternity and friendship between Turkmen and Turkish peoples would be further strengthened.

Prime-minister of Azerbaijan Artur Tahir Rasizada congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on his election to the highest state post. Having conveyed congratulations of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, the head of the Azeri government wished the President of Turkmenistan great successes in his new capacity.

Ismail Amat, China's president special envoy and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on behalf of the Chinese leadership on his taking office. Having presented the Turkmen president with a letter of the Chinese president Hu Jintao, the Chinese envoy emphasized the importance of the national election of the Turkmen president as expression of citizens' absolute faith in their new leader. The high-ranking guest expressed confidence that under Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's leadership Turkmenistan would achieve new successes, including in the sphere of the Turkmen-Chinese cooperation which demonstrates dynamic development.

The head of the Iranian delegation, first vice president Parviz Dawudi, having congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on his election as Turkmen president, conveyed to him cordial congratulations of Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinezhad. During the talks the sides stressed the fruitfulness of Turkmen-Iranian cooperation and inviolable, friendly and good neighbourly relations between Turkmenistan and Iran.

Chairman of Armenian National Assembly Tegran Torosyan greeted the president of Turkmenistan on behalf of the Armenian people. Having congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on his clear victory in elections, the guest conveyed to him the message of congratulations from President Robert Kocharyan.

Chairman of Belarus's National Assembly Vladimir Konoplev conveyed congratulations to the newly elected Turkmen president on behalf of the people and president of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenka. As the guest noted, Belarus is a reliable friend and partner of Turkmenistan.

Chairman of Legislative Chamber of Uzbek Parliament Erkin Halilov congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on his election to the highest state post on behalf of the Uzbek leadership and the entire people of Uzbekistan. Conveying greetings of Uzbek president Islam Karimov to the head of Turkmenistan, he stressed his county's adherence to relations of friendship and good neighbourliness with fraternal Turkmenistan.

State Secretary of Kyrgyzstan Adahan Madumarov presented Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov with a letter from the President of Kyrgyzstan, Kumanbek Bakiyev. Congratulating the president of Turkmenistan on his election to the highest state post, the guest expressed his country's great interest in establishing close cooperation with Turkmenistan in various spheres on the basis of long-standing ties of friendship and good neighbourliness.

The UAE Interior Minister, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, congratulated Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on his election as president of Turkmenistan. As the high guest noted, the leadership of his country attaches great importance to development of relations with Turkmenistan as a friendly and fraternal country. The UAE Interior Minister conveyed to him the compliments and best wishes of health and successes from President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who regards Turkmenistan as one of the closest friends of his country.

State minister and member of the Cabinet of ministers of Saudi Arabia, Saud Said Al Mathamin conveyed congratulations to the newly elected president of Turkmenistan from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud. Conveying the cordial greetings of his president, the guest underlined that Turkmenistan, as a fast developing and peace loving country, enjoys great authority in Saudi Arabia. During the meeting the sides expressed mutual desire to develop in every possible way the bilateral mutually beneficial partnership for the good of two peoples.

The Minister of oil and natural resources of Pakistan, Amanullah Khan Jadun, conveyed his compliments to Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov on behalf and instructions of Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf. As the guest noted, his country highly rates Turkmenistan's contribution to maintaining peace and security in the region and respects the memory of the founder and the first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. During the meeting the sides spoke in favor of further development of friendly relations and cooperation between two peoples in the interest of bilateral and regional partnership.