Ashgabat hosted a meeting of the co-chairs of the Russian-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.
On September 6-8, the interagency delegation led by
Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk visited Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. During
the visit, Mr Overchuk met with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The officials discussed the status and promising new areas of bilateral trade
and economic cooperation. Mr Overchuk congratulated the head of state with the
30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence.
During the meeting, the officials emphasised the high
level of bilateral relations, and the existence of a big potential for
expanding cooperation in transport and logistics, digital technology, infrastructure
development, healthcare, agriculture, and the fuel and energy sector, to name a
few.
Mr Overchuk also met with Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov. The officials noted the need
to further strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership and develop economic,
cultural and humanitarian ties that are based on the centuries-long record of
friendship and good neighbourly relations. They paid special attention to
constructive cooperation in international and regional organisations.
Representatives of the relevant agencies, business
circles, and ministries and departments of Russia and Turkmenistan took part in
the meeting of the co-chairs of the Russian-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission
on Economic Cooperation. The Russian co-chair of the commission and Deputy
Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk and Turkmen co-chair and Deputy Chairman of the
Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the positive
dynamics of bilateral trade. They emphasised Turkmenistan’s active cooperation
with Russian regions and a broad range of opportunities for Russian companies to
participate in different economic projects in Turkmenistan.
Following their meeting, the co-chairs signed a Programme
of Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Russian Federation and
the Government of Turkmenistan for 2021-2023. The document contains nine
sections on the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade,
customs, transport, industry, construction and architecture, the fuel and energy
sector, agriculture, social and humanitarian aspects, and public health amid
the pandemic.
Bilateral meetings of representatives of specialised Russian
agencies and business circles with their Turkmen colleagues and partners took
place on the sidelines of Mr Overchuk’s visit to Turkmenistan. They compared
their positions on all current issues and mapped out prospects for future
cooperation.
