BY KING’S CORRESPONDENT
AWAZA, TURKMENISTAN – The Kingdom of Eswatini has signed a protocol establishing diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan, a Central Asian nation bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
The protocol was signed by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Minister Pholile Shakantu in Awaza on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLCD’s), which is attended by His Majesty the King.
The historic agreement is in terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and is a significant step in strengthening ties between the two countries which share common goals of economic diversification and development.
“Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas with experience in desert agriculture something that could benefit Eswatini in light of changes related to climate change in particular drought. Therefore, the two countries will coordinate efforts in sustainable development and peace building,” Minister Shakantu stated in a statement after the signing ceremony with her Turkmenistan foreign Minister Rasit Meredow.
The minister noted that “as landlocked countries, Eswatini and Turkmenistan face similar challenges, including vulnerabilities related to trade and access to global markets, therefore this partnership opens new avenues for cooperation that will benefit our economies and people, fostering growth through shared knowledge and investment.”
She stated that the two nations share memberships in key international organizations, including the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and the United Nations.
“These common platforms will serve as a foundation for collaborative efforts aimed at addressing mutual challenges and promoting sustainable development. Eswatini looks forward to a productive and lasting relationship with Turkmenistan, leveraging their shared experiences and aspirations to build a stronger future for their citizens,” the minister said.
(Courtesy Pics)
