On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Turkmenistan as you celebrate nineteen years of independence this October 27.

The United States and Turkmenistan have worked hard to improve our relationship over the past year. The first annual bilateral consultations between our nations in Ashgabat this June underlined our mutual desire to develop a long-term partnership. We are working together on issues of common concern as we seek to promote peace and regional security, expand our economic relations, and strengthen democratic institutions and respect for human rights.

On this anniversary, I reaffirm the commitment of the United States to continue strengthening our relationship. I wish all the people of Turkmenistan a happy Independence Day and a prosperous year to come.