ASHGABAT: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived in the Turkmenistan capital here today for a two-day official visit, following the conclusion of the 18th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
After his special aircraft touched down at the Ashgabat International Airport at 9.35pm local time (12.35am Sunday, Malaysian time), Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, were greeted upon arrival by Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow, the Malaysian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Roseli Abdul, and senior officials from both countries.
Dr Mahathir is accompanied on the trip by a Malaysian delegation which includes Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Bernama reported.
The Prime Minister’s visit to the Central Asian nation is at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who visited Malaysia in Dec 2011 and Nov 2016.
Dr Mahathir will kick off his visit with an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Square, followed by a private meeting with President Berdimuhamedov, as well as a delegation meeting.
The Prime Minister will next hold a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace, after which he will attend an official lunch hosted by President Berdimuhamedov.
Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to meet with the Malaysian diaspora in Turkmenistan, as well as speak with the Malaysian media there.