    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 23, 1998]
    [Pages 607-608]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on United States-Turkmenistan Relations
    April 23, 1998

        During their April 23, 1998 meeting in Washington, Presidents
    Clinton and Niyazov agreed to expand
    cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Turkmenistan
    to promote its development as a market democracy. The United States
    strongly supports Turkmenistan's independence, sovereignty and
    territorial integrity and respects its neutrality. Through governmental
    and private sector partnerships, the United States and Turkmenistan aim
    to strengthen political, economic, security, commercial and agricultural
    ties for the benefit of both countries.
        Presidents Clinton and Niyazov agreed
    on the importance of rapid development of Caspian energy resources and
    efficient export routes to world markets to promote regional
    development. U.S. companies are deeply engaged in these activities and
    this engagement is growing. The two Presidents focused particular
    attention on strengthening east-west routes in the Eurasian transport
    corridor. They expressed their support for practical steps to develop a
    trans-Caspian pipeline as part of a multiple pipeline network. President
    Niyazov welcomed the support of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to
    assess the feasibility of a trans-Caspian pipeline. In this context, the
    Presidents favor early resolution of the Caspian delimitation dispute.
    They welcomed the recent positive developments in the Afghanistan peace
    process, which could create new commercial opportunities and advance
    prospects for construction of a trans-Afghan pipeline.
        The United States and Turkmenistan seek to expand economic and
    commercial relations, including greater trade and investment. The two
    nations will work toward completing a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Both
    Presidents welcomed the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding
    between USAID and the Government of Turkmenistan on technical and
    professional assistance to the Turkmen energy sector, and of a
    Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. Export Import Bank and the
    Government of Turkmenistan. Extensive potential exists to deepen
    agricultural cooperation, building on the already active role of U.S.
    firms in Turkmenistan. The United States and Turkmenistan agreed to
    launch a bilateral dialogue on energy policy and commercial issues.
        Turkmenistan has made significant progress toward economic
    stabilization. To sustain this progress, President Clinton encouraged
    deeper structural reforms, including privatization, in close cooperation
    with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Such steps will
    facilitate Turkmenistan's integration into the global economy. The
    United States supports Turkmenistan's accession to the World Trade
    Organization on commercial terms generally applied to newly acceding
    countries.
        Democratization, economic reform and observance of human rights are
    essential to Turkmenistan's future. Rapid, concrete steps toward reform
    in these areas will demonstrate Turkmenistan's intent to abide by
    international norms that will advance the prosperity of the Turkmen
    people. Turkmenistan is committed to strengthening the rule of law and
    political pluralism, including free and fair elections for parliament
    and the presidency in accordance with international standards and the
    constitution of Turkmenistan, as planned for 1999 and 2002,
    respectively. Turkmenistan has invited the OSCE to open an office in
    Ashgabat, and the United States pledges its active support. President
    Clinton welcomed these steps to advance democracy and human rights.
        The United States recognizes the challenges facing Turkmenistan in
    assuring its national security and respects its neutrality. The United
    States encourages Turkmenistan's further integration into emerging
    European security structures, including NATO's Partnership for Peace and
    the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The

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    Presidents support enhanced security cooperation, which will be explored
    in a bilateral security dialogue to be initiated this summer.
        The two Presidents exchanged opinions on important international
    issues. They discussed the serious threats posed by international
    terrorism, narcotics trafficking, international crime and the
    proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. They committed their
    governments to explore ways to expand cooperation in combating these
    threats to regional and global security.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.