It is natural to see certain problems where there are intense economic relations, says President Gul

ISTANBUL (A.A) - March 1, 2012 - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Thursday that it was natural to see certain problems where there were intense economic cooperation and relations. Speaking at the Turkish-Turkmen Business Forum in Istanbul, President Gul said that Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and he discussed some of the problems that Turkish businesspeople faced in Turkmenistan and that Berdimuhamedow issued decrees to find solutions to the problems of Turkish businesspeople doing business there. In the past 20 years, Turkmenistan has made great leaps and developed highly, Gul said. Every time I visit Ashkabad, I notice how developed the city is and has become one of the most modern cities of the world, Gul noted. I had a chance to visit Turkmenistan's Avaza city and believe that this city would become a major tourist destination just like Antalya, Gul said. In all of these developments, the role of Turkish businesspeople, and especially the Turkish contractors, is known well, Gul emphasized. As there is confidence in the Turkish contractors, they prove themselves, Gul noted. I thank Turkmen officials, and especially my brother Berdimuhamedow, for the confidence in Turkish businesspeople, Gul underlined. "Turkmenistan is a country that God has decorated with natural resources. These resources get utilized for the welfare and prosperity of the Turkmen people. We know that the whole world watches Turkmenistan closely related to energy and natural gas issues. The economy of Turkmenistan will soon get stronger in all fields. There are excellent opportunities for cooperation between Turkey and Turkmenistan," Gul stated. "Turkmenistan has a hard working and young population. In this context, we paid high attention to the field of education in talks we made in Ankara yesterday. If the young individuals are well educated and follow technological developments closely, they can contribute to their country. This is what we have done in Turkey. In the last 10 years, we made deep rooted reforms in Turkey, including legal, political, economic and democratic ones. As a result, Turkey has become a strong country. Our economy was not affected by the financial crisis of 2008 and our debt stock is one of the smallest ones in Europe. Our banks happen to be some of the most strongest ones in Europe. We did not give a single dollar to any Turkish bank. We have a Customs Union with Europe and can sell products easily in the European market," Gul stressed. President Berdimuhamedow's vision for Turkmenistan is to enhance the country's horizon and make Turkmenistan influential in the world. Turkey will always be with Turkmenistan with its experiences and means, Gul said. Turkey and Turkmenistan are in a solidarity just as two brothers are. Turk-Turkmen are one. There is no difference between the two. With this understanding, our future would be bright. The businesspeople of the two countries will make important contributions to this future. I thank you all again and congratulate my brother Berdimuhamedow and wish success, Gul also said.