MINSK, 23 January (BelTA) – President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is set to visit Belarus next week, Vice-Premier of Belarus Viktor Burya said at a working meeting with the co-chairmen of the Belarus-Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission on 23 January, BelTA has learnt. According to Viktor Burya, Belarus and Turkmenistan have a very good foundation for the development of the bilateral cooperation – last year President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko paid a visit to Turkmenistan. During the visit, the major cooperation areas were outlined. The Vice-Premier was glad to inform that the cooperation proposals translated into real projects. “We should work hard preparing for the return visit. We have set up a task group, developed the relevant program,” Viktor Burya said. He informed that Belarus and Turkmenistan intend to define the further cooperation strategies. Co-Chair of the Belarus- Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Hadyr Sapalyev noted that the meeting is highly symbolic, as it is held in the run-up to the first visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Belarus. Hadyr Sapalyev is convinced that this visit will be historical for the both countries. “This visit, as we see it, is one of the communication forms between partners,” he said. He expressed hope that today’s meeting will give an impetus to the faster implementation of the plans. Hadyr Sapalyev noted that Belarus and Turkmenistan have already done a lot to develop the bilateral relations including the cooperation within the framework of the commission. The sides have formed the basis for the joint work of the Turkmenkhimiya Concern and Belgorkhimprom, agreed and signed the contract for the construction of a mining and processing complex. The contract has already been signed. Turkmen students attend Belarusian universities. Belarus supplied 1,500 Belarus tractors and 500 machines produced by Lidselmash to Turkmenistan. The sides have drafted an agreement to open Turkmen trade houses in Belarus and Belarusian trade houses in Turkmenistan. Belarus and Turkmenistan launched flights Minsk-Ashgabat (twice a week). The Belarusian side shows an interest in the construction of a railway in Turkmenistan. Belarus intends to take part in an international tender to equip a railway station in that country. Both the countries cooperate in the tourism and culture areas. Belarus displayed its exposition at a big exhibition in Turkmenistan. The sides are expected to hold the Days of Turkmen Culture in Belarus and the Days of Belarusian Culture in Turkmenistan. According to the sides, the cooperation in science and technology is promising, too. At present, experts are discussing the creation of the science and technology subcommission within the framework of the Belarus-Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Economic Cooperation Commission.

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