Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec.21 / Trend, H. Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov discussed a range of issues of multi-aspect intergovernmental cooperation with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul over the phone, Turkmen print media reported on Wednesday.
The telephone conversation was initiated by the Turkmen side.
"Presidents Berdimuhammadov and Abdullah Gul discussed a wide range of multi-aspect intergovernmental cooperation and expressed satisfaction with the successful development of partnership at the bilateral and multilateral basis," the report says.
In addition, the sides stressed the "active involvement of the Turkish companies in implementation of large-scale projects and programs, as well as in joint events and exhibitions, where they demonstrate the latest scientific and engineering achievements, various units successfully applied in the construction in Turkmenistan".
The official report states that the sides stressed the "desire of the two friendly countries to implement new joint projects that serve the prosperity and welfare of the peoples in the region".
Both sides also exchanged views on some aspects of international and regional policy of mutual interest.
Turkey remains one of the largest trade partners of Turkmenistan. If volume of foreign trade between the two countries amounted to $341 million in 2005, in late 2010, this level reached about $3 billion.
Turkmenistan mainly exports products of textile, oil and gas, chemical and agricultural industries. The country imports metals and metal products, household products, building materials, electrical, chemical and light industry, food products, vehicles and medicine from Turkey.
Over 600 Turkish companies operating in sectors such as trade and investment, construction, energy, textiles and processing sector are registered in Turkmenistan.
The two countries are interested in the project for transporting Turkmen gas to Europe. In particular, it is also envisaged to lay a gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea and connect it to transnational Nabucco project through Azerbaijan.