Turkish president reiterates commitment to strengthen ties with Turkmenistan

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkish President Abdullah Gul has reaffirmed resolve to further improve relations with Turkmenistan. "Our common history, culture, religion and our beliefs have made us two states of one great single nation. And with such a notion we are committed to raise our solidarity between our two countries," Gul told a joint press appearance in Ankara with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow who pays an official visit to Turkey.  Gul noted that the Turkmen president was accompanied by a large delegation of cabinet members on his first trip abroad since his re-election on February 12, which he said had shown the importance Turkmenistan attached to the relations with Turkey. "Turkey was the first country to recognize Turkmenistan 20 years ago when the country proclaimed independence. And we are proud to witness the progress Turkmenistan has made since then," Gul said. Gul said nearly 700 Turkish companies had undertaken contracts worth of $24 billion over the past two decades in Turkmenistan, adding that Turkish companies won tenders worth of $8 billion in the past two years.     Prior to the press conference, Gul and Berdimuhamedow presided penning of a series of cooperation agreements between Turkey and Turkmenistan in areas such as trade, tourism, sports, fight against terrorism, water works and training of diplomatic staff. The two presidents also signed a declaration marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.