Turkmenistan proposed launching the Central Asia + ASEAN format to deepen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.

The proposal emerged during a Cabinet of Ministers meeting in Turkmenistan on Saturday, where the deputy prime minister and foreign minister reported on the results of the head of state’s official visit to Malaysia, as reported by Turkmenistan’s official media.

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov supported the initiative and instructed officials to continue working on strengthening interstate relations. The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s preparations for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, creating favorable conditions for its implementation.

The official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Malaysia took place on December 18-19. During the talks, both sides discussed the prospects for joint projects in energy, transportation, and high technology.

During the Cabinet of Ministers meeting, officials addressed other pressing state policy issues and made appropriate decisions.