Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gül traveled to Ashgabat in December 2006 to attend the funeral of Turkmen President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, expressing condolences on behalf of Türkiye to the Turkmen people.
Speaking to reporters during the trip, Gül expressed confidence that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) would secure an outright parliamentary majority in the country's upcoming general elections.
On the subject of Turkmenistan, Gül described the two nations as longstanding friends and said he anticipated no serious unrest following the president's death, noting that Turkmenistan had its own constitution and had already taken steps to ensure a stable transition.
Gül added that he expected Turkmenistan to emerge from the transition period successfully, strengthening both its democratic institutions and its economy to become a leading power in its region.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in December 2006, in its own words.