Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, July 26 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkish President Abdullah Gul during a recent telephone conversation initiated by Ankara, invited Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to visit Turkey in early August 2012, the Turkmen government said today.
'The Turkish President stressed that everybody in his country will greet the Turkmen leader with great enthusiasm, as a great friend of the Turkish people', the media said.
This invitation was accepted with gratitude. The exact date of the visit will be agreed through diplomatic channels.
The two sides exchanged views on a number of urgent issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest.
According to the information, the Turkmen leader paid attention to the participation of Turkish companies to implement large scale programmes. Turkey already contributes to Turkmenistan's dynamic development.
Turkish companies implement more than 1270 investment projects in Turkmenistan. They include more than 1200 projects worth more than $15 billion and 26 projects worth over two billion euros and 26 projects worth over 56 billion manat and other projects.
Ashgabat and Ankara would also like to develop energy cooperation. There are two ways - through Iran, as well as through the Caspian Sea via Azerbaijan.Turkey has expressed interest in delivering Caspian energy to Europe through its territory.
Moreover, Ankara has expressed interest in the Turkmenistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan - India (TAPI) gas pipeline project construction during Berdimuhamedov's visit to Turkey (February 28 - March 1, 2012).
Ashgabat also wants to involve Turkish companies in the construction of the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza.
Mutual trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Turkey increased by 25 per cent in 2011 compared to 2010. Turkmenistan exports mainly textile products, energy, chemical and agricultural industries.
Metal and its byproducts, household goods, hardware, building materials, electrical, chemical and light industry, food, vehicles, and medicaments are supplied from Turkey.