Medvedev lauds results of his Ashgabat negotiations

ASHGABAT, July 5(Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
lauded results of his Ashgabat negotiations with Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

"We had an amicable and frank conversation. That is a good tradition
of the dialog with the Turkmen administration," he said. "We discussed our
trade and economic relations and said that our trade was growing well."

"Industrial cooperation is on the agenda. A number of Russian leading
companies have secured their positions on the Turkmen market. These
companies include Gazprom, Itera, KamAZ, Stroitransgas and the Pipe
Metallurgical Company. There are bright prospects for new joint projects,"
Medvedev said.

"A substantial progress has been made in the humanitarian sphere,"
Medvedev said, referring to the cooperation agreement between culture
ministries and an agreement on cooperation in education.

Turkmenistan is a very significant partner of Russia in the CIS,
he
said. "The sides are solving many regional problems together," he noted.

"I am glad that we have agreed on opening the Ashgabat branch of the
Russian Gubkin Oil and Gas Institute and a new building of the
Russian-Turkmen secondary school," he said.

The visit to Ashgabat "was businesslike and constructive. I am sure
that we will achieve our common goals together," Medvedev said.

Russia and Turkmenistan can mount bilateral trade and economic
cooperation, the president said.

"We have a large agenda," he told 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.
Turkmenistan values high the Russian contribution to the bilateral
relations, Berdimuhamedow told Medvedev.
"We value high our partnership with Russia and thank you for
comprehensive support," he said.
Berdimuhamedow lauded the Russian position on the international scene.
"Our views of the main [international] problems are close or identical. We
have complete mutual understanding," he said.
"We will develop this interaction and use the potential of
international organizations," Berdimuhamedow said, referring to the
response to international terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking.
Turkmenistan wishes to develop relations with Russia in trade,
economy, energy, Caspian affairs and other issues, Berdimuhamedow said.
"Fuel and energy are key spheres of our cooperation. We are glad that
Turkmenistan and Russia strictly comply with their commitments," he said.
The Pre-Caspian Pipeline, joint hydrocarbon development and
infrastructure are Turkmenistan's priorities, he said.
The interaction is also positive in Caspian affairs, Berdimuhamedow
said. Turkmenistan stands for the soonest approval of a convention on the
international status of the Caspian Sea, he said.
Trade between Turkmenistan and Russia is rapidly growing, and 113
companies involving Russian investors are functioning on the Turkmen
territory, he said, adding that their number will grow.
A joint statement of Medvedev and Berdimuhamedow vowed enlargement of
air, maritime and railroad traffic between Russia and Turkmenistan.
"The sides affirm the importance of a direct railroad ferry line,
which will link Astrakhan, Makhachkala and Turkmenbashi, and a new
railroad between Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran," the statement runs.