Events

ASHGABAT, 10 December (BelTA) – Belarus and Turkmenistan should keep up high cooperation standards. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement during expanded-participation negotiations with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko said: “Turkmenistan is our strategic partner in Central Asia. It is confirmed by constructive interaction both on bilateral basis and within the framework of international organizations.”

Alexander Lukashenko noted that in private the presidents had discussed many items on the international agenda as well as the problems that exist in the bilateral relations.

“Our countries have secured truly noticeable accomplishments in cooperation over a short period of time. We should keep up these standards,” stressed the Belarus President.

Meanwhile, the sides are concerned about falling trade figures. “We admit that the trade turnover has dropped. Just like in the rest of the world prices for raw materials and ready-made products have dropped,” noted the head of state. “In natural terms Belarus’ trade turnover has stayed the same and has even grown virtually with all countries, however, trade figures have shrunk in cost terms. But we have enough potential in order to reach and surpass the highest level of trade turnover that we’ve had in cost terms.”