OREANDA-NEWS. June 19, 2009.   Joint exploration of the Garlyk potash deposit will be a genuine breakthrough in long-term cooperation between Belarus and Turkmenistan, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as a time capsule was put into the foundation of an ore mining and processing enterprise on June 19.

“We give birth to a brand new branch of Turkmenistan’s economy — mining industry. I am especially pleased with the fact that we are not just guests of honour but immediate participants of a major endeavour — a large-scale investment project,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

The presidents of Belarus and Turkmenistan put their signatures on a memorandum now stored in the capsule inside the foundation of the ore mining and processing enterprise. The Belarusian head of state underscored that “Today we put the capsule not only into the foundation of a new enterprise, but the foundation of friendship between our nations”.

Alexander Lukashenko said he was confident that the Garlyk ore mining and processing enterprise will become the foundation of the Turkmen mining-and-chemical industry in the nearest future and the flagship potash manufacturer in Central Asia. He also underscored that along with quality services cooperation with Belarus guarantees performance and financial discipline.

The President of Belarus said that in several years he wishes to see the first batch of Turkmen potash fertilisers dispatched to Turkmenistan agribusiness in a solemn manner.