Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan discuss expansion of ties

By Azernews

By Sara Israfilbayova

One of the important directions of the Azerbaijani-Turkmen cooperation is communication in the field of transport and transit traffic.

Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammetkhan Chakiyev on October 30.

The minister underlined the significance of the declaration on strategic partnership in the development of cooperation signed in 2017 between the two countries.

Mustafayev went on to say that at present, Azerbaijani-Turkmen relations are developing in various directions and one of the most important areas of this cooperation are relations in the field of transport and transit traffic, further adding that both countries have great transport and transit potential, and in this area a favorable infrastructure has been created.

The minister shared his views on the development of cooperation in this field, the exchange of information, the expansion of direct and long-term relations between transport and logistics structures and noted that the Azerbaijani-Turkmen route is safe and favorable, and other countries can also use it.

Chakiyev, in turn, noted that cooperation between the two countries is developing and the meeting will also be significant in terms of expanding ties, in particular, in the field of transport and transit traffic.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan also spoke about the possibilities of cooperation.

Being at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan fruitfully cooperate, representing their mutual interest in various fields: politics, economy, humanitarian and social spheres, as well as within international organizations.

Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan created a powerful industrial and agricultural base, modern transport infrastructure, and now it is necessary to launch large-scale projects of industrial cooperation, interaction in the service sector and the agricultural complex.

Petrochemical, gas chemical and electric power industries as well as communications and telecommunications spheres were specified among the priority spheres for cooperation.

Earlier, it was reported that Turkmenistan plans to join Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway.

The trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan amounted to $164.1 million in 2017. Exports from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan amounted to $54.1 million, imports of Turkmen goods to Azerbaijan amounted to $110 million.