Press Release

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum's Official Visit to Turkmenistan

PAS No 184
June 26, 2007

Ashgabat, June 26, 2007 – U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum arrived in Turkmenistan for a four-day official visit June 24.  He met with Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, Deputy Chairman for Foreign Affairs Rashit Meredov and other officials of Turkmenistan's Government on June 25 and 26 to explore new possibilities for expanding the relationship between the United States and Turkmenistan, including cooperation in education, health, economic development, agriculture, energy, border security, democracy and human rights.  The recent series of high-level U.S. delegations visiting Turkmenistan were part of an overall effort to “turn the page” in the bilateral relationship.  During this visit Feigenbaum discussed steps to expand bilateral cooperation in every area.  As part of his official schedule, Feigenbaum will also travel to Balkan Welayat to view U.S. – Turkmenistani cooperative projects and learn more about conditions outside the capital. 

Following his meeting with President Berdimuhammedov, Feigenbaum stated, “Since the first day [of Turkmenistan's independence] 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.”  He underlined that the Unites States is working to expand cooperation with Turkmenistan in all fields.

This is Mr. Feigenbaum's second trip to Turkmenistan.  He first visited the country in January 2007.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Feigenbaum joined the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, with principal responsibility for Central Asia, in July 2006 following his service on the Secretary of State’s Policy Planning Staff.