Azernews.Az

Belarus is an important partner of Turkmenistan, the country's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said in a telephone conversation with President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko,the Turkmen government reported on March 12.

The bright example of years of fruitful interaction is the growing trade turnover between the countries and implementation of a number of large joint projects, according to Turkmen president.

These joint projects include the construction of a large industrial facility, the Garlyk mining and processing complex for the production of potash fertiliser in Lebap province and long-standing bilateral relations in the supply of modern agricultural machinery.

Consultations will be held on economic projects in the near future, a message from the country's government said.

The Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary (TDH) State News Service reported that during the conversation the parties they also exchanged views on a number of topical issues of the international and regional policy.

"The parties emphasised the mutual desire of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Belarus to expand fruitful cooperation through influential international organisations and structures," TDH said.

Foreign trade turnover between Belarus and Turkmenistan has increased fivefold over the past five years. Belarus exports tractors, trucks, road, construction and agricultural equipment, bicycles, autoloaders, tires, medicines, chemical fibres, wood products and food.

The largest joint project is the contract for construction of a mining and processing plant in Turkmenistan's eastern region implemented by Belgorkhimprom JSC since 2010. It is planned to commission this plant in 2015.

The industrial giant is being built in two phases according to the Turkmen side. The cost of the first phase of the complex is over $1 billion. The enterprise will work on the basis of the Garlyk potash field, able to ensure production of 1-1.5 million tons of fertiliser per year.