OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2011. The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Romanian Commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation is taking place in Bucharest. The forum timed to the official visit of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Romania brought together heads and specialists of the leading ministries and departments of the two countries.

In his opening remarks, Co-Chairman of the Commission, Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment Ion Ariton focused with satisfaction on the high dynamics of Turkmen-Romanian relations established in recent years and welcomed the mutual interest in intensifying further bilateral cooperation. It was noted that this meeting would become a new step to enhance intergovernmental contacts and offer a new powerful impetus to diversify full partnerships in all fields in the interests of the two friendly states and nations.

The meeting participants considered the issues related to implementing the agreements reached during the first meeting of the Commission, which had been held in July 2009 in Ashgabat and the prospects for diversification of cooperation built on a long-term and mutually advantageous basis.

A focus of the exchange of views was the aspects of bilateral partnerships in the trade and economic, fuel and energy, transport, textile and agricultural sectors. Promotion of cooperation in the entrepreneurial sector was the core of the discussions. In this context emphasis was put on the importance of conducting regular meeting on exchange of experiences in the private sector development, participation of representatives of small and medium enterprises of the two countries in exhibitions and fairs.

Promotion of the tourism sector was mentioned as a priority vector of partnerships. In particular, it was noted that the vast opportunities for collaboration were opened up within the ongoing project of the Avaza national tourism zone, a world-class seaside resort on the Caspian Sea coast.

It was emphasized that the major fields of intergovernmental cooperation include the humanitarian sphere, particularly science, education and culture. Focusing with satisfaction on positive development of cooperation in these spheres, the meeting participants called for intensifying scientific and educational contacts and cultural ties, including through participation in international festivals and other cultural forums organized in Turkmenistan and Romania.