Turkmenistan President Given Official Welcome At Parliament Square

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived here Tuesday for a three-day visit to Malaysia, was given an official welcome at Parliament Square, here, Wednesday. Berdimuhamedov's arrival at the square at 9.30am was received by King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. The national anthems of both countries were then played by the Royal Malay Regiment's central band from the Sungai Besi camp led by Lt. Mohd Azizan Yahya. The Turkmenistan President then inspected a guard-of-honour comprising four officers and 103 members of the 1st battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Ahmad Huzaimi Mohd Ali. A 21-gun salute was then fired. After that, Berdimuhamedov and his delegation were introduced to the Malaysian cabinet ministers and members of the foreign diplomatic corps present. This is Berdimuhamedov's first visist to Malaysia since becoming president on Feb 14, 2007. According to Wisma Putra (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), the visit provides an opportunity for both countries to discuss regional and international issues of common interest. On Wednesday night, Tuanku Mizan will host a state dinner in honour of Berdimuhamedov at Melawati Palace, Putrajaya. -- BERNAMA