OREANDA-NEWS. February 24, 2012. Following the initiative of the Turkmen side a phone conversation between President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow took place. The Turkmen leader thanked the Belarusian head of state for his congratulations on winning the presidential race in Turkmenistan.

The sides discussed the state and prospects of the implementation of several major bilateral initiatives, in particular, the construction of the Garlyk mining and processing complex by the Belarusian side.

The two heads of state also discussed the organization of joint production of Belarusian machines in Turkmenistan in detail and sales of these machines in the region.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed a government resolution on 10 February 2012 to buy over 2,000 tractors Belarus and spare parts for more than USD 40 million.

Several other joint projects, including sales of Belarusian trucks and municipal vehicles, are in the discussion stage. About 6,000 Turkmen students are now educated in Belarus following arrangements made by the heads of state.