Remarks to the Press at Old Presidential Palace

Question: Mr. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, please tell us about the purpose of your visit.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Feigenbaum: Well I’m here in Turkmenistan on my second visit, to try to explore new possibilities for the strong and productive relationship between the United States and Turkmenistan. We have a lot of history together, we’ve had almost 16 years of an independent Turkmenistan now, but the United States has had diplomatic relations with this country since the very beginning, almost since the first day of independence. And so almost since the first day we have been a strong supporter of this country’s sovereignty, of a prosperous Turkmenistan, a democratic Turkmenistan, of trying to link this country to powerful opportunities in the world, in the international economy, in the international system. So that’s why I’m here. I’m here to explore possibilities in the relationship. And I just had a very good conversation with the president about all of the many areas of our partnership and of our relationship: areas that we agree; some areas that we disagree. But security, economics and trade, energy development, democracy and human rights -- all of these areas we want to try to build our relationship, to expand the circle of things on which we cooperate. So that’s why I’m here. I’m looking forward to the rest of my trip.

Question: Thank you.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Feigenbaum: Thank you.