ASHGABAT, 7 June 2010 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Joao Soares today completed a two-day visit to Turkmenistan, intended to support the work of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. President Soares, a Member of Parliament from Portugal, welcomed the opportunity to get familiarised with the work of the OSCE Centre and the situation in the country.

The delegation, which also included parliamentarian Canan Kalsin from Turkey and OSCE PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver, was fully briefed on OSCE activities in the country and met with diplomats from OSCE countries and a range of international representatives, as well as representatives of civil society and media in the country.

“It was a pleasure to again be in Turkmenistan and get acquainted with the situation in the country and the excellent work conducted by the OSCE here. I sincerely hope that Members of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan will resume their participation in upcoming OSCE PA events,” said President Joao Soares.

The Mejlis of Turkmenistan has been invited to participate in a major OSCE PA meeting in Oslo, Norway, in July 2010.