Saudi Arabia is interested in implementing the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India (TAPI) international gas pipeline project, Guvanch Agajanov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan for the fuel and energy complex, said on 25 September at a reception held at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ashgabat to mark the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom. Highlighting Saudi Arabia's considerable experience and technological capabilities in the oil, gas and petrochemical sectors, as well as Turkmenistan's large-scale efforts to modernise its own oil and gas industry, Agajanov expressed confidence that combining the two countries' potential would take cooperation to a qualitatively new level. On behalf of the President and the Government of Turkmenistan, he conveyed congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, wishing the leadership and people of the Kingdom health, peace and prosperity. He noted that the visits by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Mecca and the holy sites to perform Umrah testify to the depth of the spiritual and cultural ties between the two countries. The official part of the evening was opened by Amer bin Ali Al-Shehri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Turkmenistan, who personally welcomed the guests. The ambassador spoke about the Kingdom's achievements since its unification and about the implementation of Saudi Vision 2030, launched in 2016 by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and built on the principles of a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. He also noted that the Kingdom's foreign policy rests on the principles of moderation, good-neighbourliness and respect for the sovereignty of states. A separate part of the speech was devoted to the history of bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia was among the first countries to recognise Turkmenistan's independence and in 1997 opened its embassy in Ashgabat — the first embassy of an Arab state in the country. In April 2007, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid a historic visit to the Kingdom — his first foreign visit as President — during which he was awarded the Order of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud. Concluding his remarks, the ambassador expressed confidence that the friendly and mutually beneficial relations between Turkmenistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would continue to strengthen. The reception brought together representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations accredited in Turkmenistan, the business community and the media, as well as bloggers and other guests. After the official part, guests were treated to dishes of traditional Arab cuisine.