President of Azerbaijan visits Turkmenbashi mausoleum - UPDATED

29.11.08

12:25

Direct international railway ferryboat communication will be organized between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The due decision was adopted by results of talks between President of Turkmenistan Gurbangulu Berdymukhammedov and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, visiting Ashkhabad, according to Novosti-Azerbaijan.

An intergovernmental agreement on organization of a direct international railway-ferryboat communication via the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi and Azerbaijani ports were signed after the expanded talks between the delegations of the two countries.

One of the main topics on the Turkmen-Azerbaijani talks on the high level was the expansion of the trade and economic cooperation.

The sides noted that Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan has a big potential in this sphere which is proven by 8 times rise in the volume of commodity turnover between the two countries. As a priority spheres of mutually profitable cooperation there were called fuel and energy complex, transport and communications, chemical and textile industry, agriculture.

The sides also discussed the issues of joint use of rich energy and biological reserves of the Caspian Sea.

During the talks on the high level, the sides discussed issues of international policy. The sides paid a special attention to joint actions on the international arena, in particular, in the UN framework. The heads of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan discussed the situation, established in the world economy due to the world financial crisis. By results of the talks they signed agreements on cooperation in the sphere of education, on intergovernmental Turkmen-Azerbaijani commission on economic cooperation and organization of cargo transportation, operation, registration of cargo carriages and containers and settlement for their use in the international railway and ferryboat communication via the Turkmen port of Turkmenbashi and Azerbaijani ports.

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11:10

On November 28, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev visited the mausoleum of Saparmurat Turkmenbashi in Ahal province, according to AzerTac. The late Turkmen leader is buried here next to his family members.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President, who was warmly welcomed here by chairman of Turkmenistan`s Council for Religious Affairs, governor of Ahal province. A wreath was laid at the mausoleum on behalf of the Azerbaijani President.

Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev viewed the Spirit of Turkmenbashi mosque which is next to the mausoleum.

The mosque has the Central Asia`s highest towering dome and four 91m-high minarets.

On the same day, President Ilham Aliyev visited the Monument to Turkmenistan Independence in Ashgabat.

The complex contains monuments to Turkmenistan`s historic personalities, with that to Saparmurat Turkmenbashi`s standing at the entrance. The complex, which also has the Independence Museum, is designed to mostly host official events.

President Ilham Aliyev laid a wreath at the monument and signed its guest book.

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10:15

Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, along with full provision of their energy needs, also play an important role in provision of the energy security of the world, said President of Turkmenistan Gurbanqulu Berdimukhammedov.

President of Azerbaijan noted in his speech that the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are developing and are dynamic.

Ilham Aliyev noted that the favorable geographic location of the two countries opens new opportunities for development of relations, which in turn promotes the development of political, economic, social-humanitarian and energy spheres.

"During the negotiations we also discussed the issues of cooperation in the Caspian region and provision of the regional security", noted the head of the state, adding that location of our countries in the same geograhical zone creates new opportunities for deepening ties, which promotes the development of relations in the political, economic, social, humanitarian and energy sectors.

In turn President Gurbangulu Berdimukhammedov noted that the Azerbaijani-Turkmen relations develop rapidly and the cooperation between the two countries covers a number of spheres.

"Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have established good cooperation in the frameworks of international organizations", noted President Gurbanqulu Berdimukhammedov adding that the countries has a big potential for cooperation in the sphere of transport, which plays a key role in the region.

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28.11.08

16:01

A package of documents, reflecting cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, was signed in Ashkhabad by results of talks between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan Ilham Aliyev and Gurbanqulu Berdimukhammedov with participation of the members of the governments of the two countries, Novosti-Azerbaijan reports with reference to the Azerbaijani embassy to Turkmenistan.

The heads of the two states discussed the promotion of earlier attained agreements, specified priorities of the Turkmen-Azerbaijani cooperation on the new stage.

Confirming the sides' adherence to the course of establishment of a complete dialogue, including key trends of partnership, the sides specified the trade and economic area, fuel and energy sector, transport and communications, agriculture, textile industry, chemical production and others.

Presidents of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan spoke for expansion of humanitarian cooperation as an integral component of bilateral relations.

During the meeting the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on some issues of regional and international policy of mutual interest.

In particular, the sides touched upon the coordination of positions on the development of the legal status of the Caspian Sea, stressing importance of constructive interaction of all Caspian states in this urgent direction.

The sides also discussed similarity or coincidence in positions of the countries regarding main problems of contemporary world, which is mostly related to ensuring peace, stability and stable development. Voicing deep satisfaction with the stable development of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations, Gurbangulu Berdimukhammedov and Ilham Aliyev confirmed readiness of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for the further expansion of the interstate political dialogue, development of cooperation in the framework of international organizations, primarily UN.

Upon the completion of the signing ceremony the presidents made a short statement for press.

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13:25

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev started his official visit to Turkmenistan on November 28.

President’s press service told APA that senior state and government officials welcomed Azerbaijani President in Ashgabat’s Saparmurad Turkmenbashi International Airport. Azerbaijan’s President left the airport accompanied by honorable cyclists.

The head of state was officially welcomed in Ashgabat. President of Turkmenistan Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov welcomed Azerbaijani President with great respect. Chief of the guard of honor reported to Azerbaijani President, the state anthems of both countries were played. The presidents passed by the guard of honor. Following the official welcome ceremony, the presidents were photographed.

Presidents of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan had one-on-one meeting. They were satisfied with the development of the relations in various fields and expressed their confidence that the relations would be extended. The presidents said the official visit of Azerbaijani President to Turkmenistan would contribute to strengthening the bilateral relations.

The heads of states also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

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12:41

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev left for an official visit to Turkmenistan on November 28, reports Day.Az with reference to AzerTac.

At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the Head of State was seen off by Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Baku Mayor Hajibala Abutalybov.

/Day.Az/, APA