Minister Lilyana Pavlova: Bulgaria considers Turkmenistan as a partner, with which we would like to establish friendly relationship and mutually beneficial cooperation

Bulgaria considers Turkmenistan as a prior political and economic partner in the Region of Central Asia, with which we would like to develop friendly relationship and beneficial cooperation. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova, during the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Bulgarian – Turkmen commission for economic cooperation.

Turkmenistan also accepts Bulgaria as a strategic partner in Southeast Europe and the Black Sea region, said in turn the Minister of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan, Mr. Eldash Sheripov, co-chairman of the commission by Turkmenistan.

Minister Pavlova pointed that our country highly appreciates the results of the official visit in Turkmenistan made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Boyko Borisov, in August 2015.  Thus the dialogue at the highest level between the two countries has been re-opened. Several agreements were signed then, most of which have already been implemented. As a result of one of them, a Turkmen delegation, led by the Deputy Prime Minister for construction Mr. Samuhammet Durdylyyev, visited our country, in January this year. Bilateral meetings and official events with representatives of the Bulgarian business, operating in key sectors of the economy, sports and tourism were held at that time.

We hope that by virtue of the increased political cooperation we could report higher levels of trade and economic relations between our countries, said Pavlova. She added that at the current Commission’s session the sectors of the economy being of mutual interest to both countries, have been defined thus efforts in their widening will be made in the upcoming months. The investment opportunities in Bulgaria and the measures taken by the country to encourage the business development were presented as well.

The focus fell on the development of the transport connections between Bulgaria and Turkmenistan. The Bulgarian policy regarding the completion and modernization of the road infrastructure as well as the construction companies’ experience in building key infrastructure, using the latest materials and technologies were a topic during the discussion. Both sea and river port terminals in the country and the railway network’s securing were discussed as well.  Medical equipment manufacture was presented by Turkmenistan.

Minister Pavlova emphasized on the progress in the cooperation regarding construction and the possibility Bulgarian building companies to participate in tenders for implementing major strategic projects in Turkmenistan. She also stressed on the progress in the production of building materials.

I expect to improve our partnership in the exchange of experience, good practices and technology innovations due to the signed agreement between our two Ministries, said the Bulgarian regional Minister. We hope the energy independence and supply in the energy sector will be thoroughly discussed in future, she added.

We found opportunities to expand the exchange and dialogue related to transport, logistics as well as shipbuilding and ship repair, informed Lilyana Pavlova. Within the meeting it became clear that there is a potential for the development of cooperation between the two countries in agriculture through production and products’ delivery.

Turkmenistan is interested in the textile and chemical industry in Bulgaria, said the Bulgarian regional Minister. Education, culture, medical equipment production and pharmaceuticals are also sectors with potential for cooperation, which can be developed from now on, emphasized she. Encouraging tourism and the experience exchange in management of cultural and historical heritage, which both countries posses, are also in the scope of mutual interest, said minister Pavlova.

As a co-chairmen of the Intergovernmental Commission, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova, and the Minister of Economy and Development of Turkmenistan, Mr. Eldash Sheripov, signed a protocol from the session. Through the protocol both countries give specific recommendations, which will contribute to strengthening the cooperation in the areas of mutual interest.