2006 Press Releases

U.S. Charge d'Affaires Jennifer Brush and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov exchange the first Amendment to the Letter of Agreement (ALOA).

U.S. and Turkmenistan Renew Commitment to Cooperation in Security and Law Enforcement

March 31, 2006

On March 27 U.S. Charge d'Affaires Jennifer Brush and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov signed the first Amendment to the Letter of Agreement (ALOA) between the U.S. Government and the Government of Turkmenistan. At the signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Meredov and Charge Brush agreed that the signing of ALOA represented the growing cooperation between the two governments in important areas of mutual interest. Both governments looked forward to increasing cooperative efforts in the area of security and law enforcement.

Highlighting the accomplishments under the original Letter of Agreement since it was signed in September 2001, Minister Meredov noted the steady increase in security cooperation, specifically on counternarcotics issues with the Government of Turkmenistan.

The amendment expands the Letter of Agreement to provide an additional $450,000 to increase the capability of the Government of Turkmenistan to conduct successful investigations against narcotics traffickers, and to enhance the use of forensic analysis. Additional funding will be directed to counternarcotics, justice system development, maritime security and English language training projects.

The U.S. Department of State INL program helps governments throughout the world combat illegal drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized crime by providing assistance and training.