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 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan was paying official visit to Turkmenistan on November 24-25 on the invitation of his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.

President of Turkmenistan met President Serzh Sargsyan in international airport of Sapamurat Niyazov. The President had a short talk and later the leaders of the two states had discussion at Serzh Sargsyan’s residence. Then the Presidents had wide format discussion where the delegations from the both parties were engaged.

According to reports the negotiations were constructive, comprehensive and effective. Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov declared later they had talks on reinforcing bilateral ties in economic and social life, in regional and international affairs.

The agenda of Armenian-Turkmen negotiations could be anticipated from the delegation accompanying President Serzh Sargsyan – Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandyan, Minister of Energy and natural Resources Armen Movsisyan, Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan, Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan, Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan.

Huge cooperation potential exists in economy field

According to RA National Statistical Service in 2009 trade turnover between Armenia and Turkmenistan was $17,3 million. Armenia exported products and service of $3 million and Turkmenistan important that of $14.3 million.

Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov took into consideration those figures when declaring that unused potential still existed. While the businessmen declared that the potential is real huge.

During President’s official visit to Turkmenistan, Armenian-Turkmen business conference and exhibition was organized. Many Armenian companies of banking, construction materials, logistics, agriculture and different other fields represented their products and service to their Turkmen colleagues.

The Presidents referred to the aspects of the economy the development of which could be bilaterally beneficial for the sides. The Turkmen side signified Armenia’s capacities in machine industry, chemical industry, pharmacy, agriculture and food industry. President Sargsyan referred to Turkmenistan’s energy capacities.

President Sargsyan made a business proposal to his Turkmen counterpart – to import energy from Turkmenistan to Armenia. The suggestion was hailed and correspondent representatives of the field were recommended to study the perspectives of the idea.

It seemed the idea could never been carried out, but energy experts clarified that by involving Iran into this program it could be successfully implemented.

President Sargsyan made another business proposal to found trade chambers in Armenia and Turkmenistan. The results of Ashgabad hosted business conference and the exhibition are evident that this suggestion could as well be well developed.

Armenian-Turkmen relations have a history of centuries

During the official visit necessity to reinforce communication in humanitarian, education and scientific fields was underscored. Documents aimed to reinforce those ties were signed.

President Serzh Sargsyan stated that cooperation in humanitarian field is of great significance, and that the documents signed are effective starts which surely needed to be developed. President signified holding of years of culture in Armenia and Turkmenistan and gratefully recorded that days of Armenian film were being hold in Turkmenistan during his visit.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov particularly signified the historic-cultural centuries-od relations of Armenia and Turkmenistan.

15-year-old consistent neutrality
In the agenda of Armenian-Turkmen bilateral ties foreign policy and international affairs of mutual interests are signified. In this respect Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov signified cooperation to meet modern challenges. He underscored fight against trans-national organized crimes, illegal circulation of drugs and international terror.

President Serzh Sargsyan made his remarks congratulating Turkmenistan for 15th jubilee of neutrality. Neutral and balanced disposition of Turkmenistan to many international risk issues is the country’s practical policy. In this respect, President Sargsyan hailed Turkmenistan’s neutral disposition adopted towards Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. President underscored that Turkmenistan has never signed any international document against Armenia.

The Presidents expressed certitude that the conflicts should be settled through peace. They underscored the crisis and conflicts should be solved through peace only, and that war isn’t a solution to the conflicts.
On the second day of his visit President Sargsyan had more like procedural meetings in Mejlis, visit to mausoleum of first Turkmen President, etc.

President Serzh Sargsyan invited his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov to pay visit to Armenia. President of Turkmenistan accepted the invitation and said he would travel to Armenia next year.