Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 13 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has instructed the preparation of documents and resolution of all issues to open the Turkmen Consulate in Astrakhan in 2013, an official Turkmen source said today.
The Astrakhan region is a border region of the Russian Federation located at the crossroads of trade routes and transport corridors. Cooperation with Turkmenistan may be strengthened in the context of adopting a new law of the Russian Federation. According to it, the so-called customs clearance of goods will be conducted at the border intersection.
Turkmen goods transported through the border in Astrakhan will be smoothly distributed throughout the country. The Astrakhan region is interested in Turkmenistan's transit potential to transport Russian goods, particularly to Central Asia and Afghanistan.
Astrakhan proposes power equipment for developing the Turkmen energy system, ships and devices for fishing, sturgeon farming technology and the construction of extractive platforms for the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. Guzhvin shipyard is repairing dry cargo ships from Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is ready to increase exports of building materials, particularly cement, petroleum and petrochemical products, products of agriculture and light industry to Astrakhan.
Turkmenistan is interested in expanding ferry transportation in the Caspian Sea. Experts suggested a direct rail-ferry service between Russian ports Olya near Astrakhan and Makhachkala and the port of Turkmenbashi, could increase the cargo flow from Turkmenistan to Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus.
The parties discussed the issues of establishing aviation communication between Astrakhan, Turkmenbashi and Ashgabat.