OREANDA-NEWS. April 24, 2009. Turkmenistan and the EU member states are entering a qualitatively new stage of cooperation – henceforth in trade and economy. On April 22, the European Parliament approved by a majority vote the new trade agreement between the European Union and our country. This document provides the vast opportunities for the European companies which intend to offer with their technologies and know-how on the very promising Turkmen market on the one hand and on the other hand Turkmen producers who stand ready to export a wide range of high-quality goods to Europe.

The ratification of the trade agreement became a new important step to develop closer contacts between Turkmenistan and the European Union demonstrating the willingness to enhance collaboration in the major fields. Over two past years President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited the capital of the European Union Brussels and a number of the EU member countries. Ashgabat hosted a series off the top level talks and meetings with the European leaders. In whole, the contacts between the partners became regular and what is more important, effective that is illustrated by the course of events.

Last year Turkmenistan and the EU signed the Memorandum on Energy Cooperation. The ceremony of signing the very promising document – the Memorandum on Long-Term Cooperation with one of the European largest energy companies – RWE AG took place a week ago. This document provides for the complex approach to partnership with Turkmenistan, in particular collaboration in the projects on development offshore oil and gas deposits in the Caspian Sea, training Turkmen specialists at the leading research and educational centres in Europe as well as conclusion of the gas sales and purchase contracts

Thus, the trade agreement with Turkmenistan approved by the European Parliament can be characterized as a new important link in the logical chain of the recent events. All together they are a direct result of the active innovative policy consistently and steadily pursued by the Turkmen leader and that has won Turkmenistan recognition, respect and benevolence worldwide.