Mahathir arrives in Asghabat for two-day official visit

Fresh from the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Azerbaijan, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived here today to begin his two-day official visit to Turkmenistan, starting Sunday (Oct 27).

The special aircraft carrying Mahathir from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan, touched down at the Ashgabat International Airport at 9.35 pm local time (12.35 am Sunday Malaysian time).

The prime minister and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, were greeted upon arrival by Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow, Malaysian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Roseli Abdul and senior officials from both countries.

The Malaysian delegation for the visit includes Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Mahathir's visit is at the invitation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who had undertaken official visits to Malaysia in December 2011 and November 2016.

Mahathir's programmes here will kick-off tomorrow where he will attend an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Square.

Later, Mahathir and Berdimuhamedov will hold a restricted meeting followed by a delegation meeting and a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace.

After the joint press conference, Mahathir is scheduled to attend an official lunch hosted by Berdimuhamedov.

In the evening, Mahathir is scheduled to meet with the Malaysian diaspora in Turkmenistan and speak to the Malaysian media before concluding his visit.

Mahathir and Siti Hasmah are expected to return to Malaysia on Monday (Oct 28).

- Bernama