ISTANBUL

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru on Tuesday expressed Tokyo’s interest in pursuing energy projects with Turkmenistan, describing the Central Asian nation as being “rich in natural resources,” during a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in Osaka.

Berdimuhamedov is in Japan for the opening of the 2025 World Expo being held in Osaka.

“Japan would like to further strengthen economic relations, taking advantage of its technology in order to realize the energy transition of Turkmenistan with its rich natural resources through the promotion of projects such as the second GTG (Gas to Gasoline) plant and ammonia and urea plant in Kiyanly,” said a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

A total of 15 documents were signed between Tokyo and Ashgabat, said the statement.

Ishiba and Berdimuhamedov also discussed bilateral cooperation in several areas, said the statement, adding that the two countries welcomed the revision of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Energy Transitions between their foreign ministries.

They also agreed to collaborate on the upcoming Central Asia plus Japan Dialogue Summit. 

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter, and they agreed to collaborate closely on global diplomatic initiatives. 

According to the statement, the leaders discussed international developments, including the situation in Ukraine, Central Asia, and East Asia. 

Japan and Turkmenistan established diplomatic ties in 1992, according to the Japanese government.