Russia, Turkmenistan may open Astrakhan-Turkmenbashi maritime route

ASHGABAT, July 5 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and Turkmenistan can mount
bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev said on Friday.

"We have a large agenda," he told Turkmen President Gurbanguly
Berdimuhamedow. "Trade nearly tripled over the past year. That's good
dynamics."

Medvedev referred to the active work of the intergovernmental
commission, which had been cochaired by Russian First Deputy Prime
Minister Viktor Zubkov since June 16. The commission will hold its next
meeting in Ashgabat on August 3.

"There are many interesting transport projects. We are considering
navigation between Astrakhan, Makhachkala and Turkmenbashi," he said.
"There is a number of interesting electric power projects; we are ready to
build agricultural machinery together."

Medvedev supported Berdimuhamedow's suggestion to hold a forum of
manufacturers in 2009.
"In addition, Russia and Turkmenistan coordinate their regional and
international policies," he said.