OREANDA-NEWS. July 6, 2009. The government delegation led by Denis Afanasyev, Minister of International and Foreign Economic Relations of the Astrakhan Oblast is on a visit to Turkmenistan. As is known this largest region of the Russian Federation and our country are bound over centuries with the ties of friendship, good neighbourliness and fruitful cooperation that acquire a new quality and content nowadays. That is vividly illustrated by the exchange of delegations on a regular basis enhancing business and cultural relations. D. Afanasyev gave an interview on the aims of the regular visit of the Astrakhan partners and the focus of the meetings and talks in Ashgabat.

“During the meetings at the ministries and departments of Turkmenistan the delegation presented the views of the Government of the Astrakhan Oblast and reaffirmed the readiness for cooperation in different fields: in economic, humanitarian and cultural fields, in particular the spheres of education. The higher and specialized secondary schools in Astrakhan are ready to admit Turkmen students who will receive the specialities of particular importance to Turkmenistan. These include the specialities related to fish industry. The preliminary agreement was reached with the State Committee for Tourism and Sports that Turkmen students – future specialists for national tourism industry will study in Astrakhan.

“It should be noted that today there is a need to reestablish the direct flights between the two territories. This would create incentives to intensify business contacts and tourist exchange, which will have good prospects for development of Avaza national tourism zone.

“Bilateral economic cooperation can be developed in a wide spectrum. For example, the Astrakhan Oblast offers power equipment to the rapidly developing energy system of Turkmenistan, construction materials, vessels and fishing equipment, sturgeon aquaculture technologies and construction of platforms for the Turkmen shelf of the Caspian Sea, etc. Indeed, this cooperation has been filled with a practical content.

“The Business Caspian Board was established to promote business development. This organisation brings together the chambers of commerce and industry of the Astrakhan Oblast, Kazakhstan and the northern provinces of Iran, which actively exchange the information on the legal aspects of trade cooperation. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan is an associated member of the Board.

“Even now our business trip, which has not been complete, can be characterized as very fruitful. This is not only my opinion but the opinion of the members of the Astrakhan business delegation, who highly appreciated the level of the agreements. Another positive fact is the forthcoming visit of the Turkmen business delegation to Astrakhan. It is very important for us.

“We have the great expectations, for the trip to Turkmenbashi and especially the meeting with the steamship company. This is very important for both parties in the context of the intergovernmental agreement signed between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation on the direct international railway-ferry communication through the ports of Turkmenbashi and Olya (Astrakhan Oblast), and increased flow of goods.

“Of course, one of the main purposes of our trip is Avaza national tourism zone. In this regard, the delegation included Astrakhan Oblast Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism who intends to promote the seaside resort in Turkmenistan among our tour operators.”