Ukrainian, Turkmen presidents postpone cooperation in gas field

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15/9 Tass 338

ASHGABAT, September 15 (Itar-Tass) - The Ukrainian and Turkmen
presidents, Viktor Yushchenko and Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, have
shelved the issues of cooperation in the gas field. After a more than a
2.5-hour one-on-one discussion between the leaders and a behind-closed
doors expanded meeting involving government officials, the two presidents
said nothing about direct gas supplies, which the press service of the
Ukrainian president announced ahead of Yushchenko's visit.
"The visit is important from a perspective of creating groundwork for
Turkmen-Ukrainian partnership in the future," Berdymukhammedov said
acknowledging the existence of the necessary potential for further
intensification of Turkmen-Ukrainian dialogue.
"The uniqueness of the potential existing between the countries" was
also noted by the Ukrainian leader.
"It is not tapped due to a lack of information and contacts,"
Yushchenko complained.
In this connection, the parties agreed to step up the work of the
intergovernmental economic cooperation commission.
When disusing bilateral relations, the parties stated that the
relations were developing dynamically. Yushchenko and Berdymukhammedov
exchanged views over boosting bilateral trade.
The Turkmen president called for "expanding the activities of
Ukrainian companies in Turkmenistan and promoting products, manufactured
by Turkmen firms, on the Ukrainian market."
For his part, Yushchenko expressed satisfaction with the fact that 24
Ukrainian companies operate in Turkmenistan at present.
He also proposed to boost cooperation in aerospace and aircraft
making, and start regular flights en route Kiev-Turkmenbashi-Ashgabat.
Both presidents support expansion of cultural exchanges and ties
between scientists and workers' collectives and increase in the number of
Turkmen students sent to study in Ukraine.
Following the talks, the presidents signed a joint statement. Ukraine
and Turkmenistan also signed a protocol between the Foreign Ministries on
cooperation, a cooperation agreement between the Turkmen Institute of
Communications and Transport and a Ukrainian university, an agreement
between the chambers of commerce and industry of Turkmenistan and Ukraine,
and an agreement between the agrarian ministries in the field of testing
and protecting varieties of plants.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian and Turkmen leaders will attend the
opening of the railroad bridge built by a Ukrainian construction company,
and the laying of foundation of a new road bridge.
-0-myz/usn