ASHKABAD - Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, President of Turkmenistan, will pay an official visit to Turkey between March 24th and 25th upon an invitation from Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
This will be the first visit of Berdimuhamedow to Turkey after being elected as the president.
Important economic and cultural agreements are expected to be signed during the 2-day visit.
Turkey was the first country recognizing Turkmenistan on December 16th, 1991 after this country announced its independence.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan were established on February 29th, 1992 and more than 100 agreements and protocols were signed.
Volume of the projects undertaken by the Turkish companies in Turkmenistan in 2007 exceeded 3 billion USD. Trade volume between Turkey and Turkmenistan rose more than 50 percent when compared with the figures of 2006.
According to the formal figures of Turkmenistan, there are 428 companies, having Turkish capital, acting in this country.
Turkish entrepreneurs invest mainly in textile, construction, energy and food industries in Turkmenistan.
Co-operation on education is also very important in relations of the two countries. 4,800 Turkmen students were given education opportunity with scholarship granted by Turkey in the recent years.
(AY)