Ukraine, Turkmenisan should integrate into wolrld economy - president

In Ashgabat – Turkmenistan, President Viktor Yanukovych has met President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov tete-a-tete.

"I think that your initiative to intensify our bilateral relations is supported not only by me personally, but is a desire of our two peoples," Viktor Yanukovych said during the meeting.

The President noted that Ukraine and Turkmenistan have traditional ties and that the two peoples have been through some difficult historical times together.

"Now is the time for us to give a new impetus to the economies of our countries," Viktor Yanukovych said, pointing also to the importance of integration of Ukraine and Turkmenistan into the world economy.

In this context the President of Ukraine praised the development of Turkmen-Chinese relations, stating that Ukraine is building its relations with China too.

He, furthermore, noted the importance of coordinated work of Ukraine and Turkmenistan in the framework of international organizations, such as the UN and CIS. In the context of forthcoming presidency of Turkmenistan in the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2012, Viktor Yanukovych noted that Ukraine supports Turkmenistan’s position on the need to intensify this organization’s work. According to President Yanukovych, the Commonwealth’s present potential is not fully tapped.

President Yanukovych expressed the belief that his current official visit to Turkmenistan should be aimed at deepening Ukrainian-Turkmen bilateral relations, "using the potential we have to improve economic, humanitarian, energy, educational cooperation."

Viktor Yanukovych invited his Turkmen counterpart to visit Ukraine. "I would like to invite you to our country, so that we could continue the dialogue we have. I am sure it will bring great benefit and shape the future of development of our countries," President Yanukovych said.

For his part, President Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of President Yanukovych’s visit to Turkmenistan. "We are cooperating in all sectors – construction, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture," he said.

He expressed hope that during today's negotiations, the parties would dedicate attention to joint projects already being implemented and future plans. "Our people has kind feelings for the Ukrainian people," the President of Turkmenistan said, adding that Turkmenistan stands for mutually-beneficial relations with Ukraine.