Turkmenistan, Italy sign package of documents after business forum

ASHGABAT. Oct 27 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has taken part in a Turkmen-Italian business forum as part of his official visit to Italy, and a package of documents on cooperation in textile and energy industries, cybersecurity and mass media has been signed at the forum, the Turkmen news agency Orient said on Sunday.

More than 150 representatives of organizations and business communities of both countries took part in the event organized by the Italian Foreign Ministry together with the Italian Trade Agency ICE

Berdimuhamedov said in his address to business forum participants that "the main goal of this meeting is to give a strong impetus to bilateral relations through direct business dialogue and to create real prerequisites for transition to a brand new quality of partnership."

In turn, Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Giorgio Silli said, "The government is taking energetic efforts to enable Italian companies to be effective in competing for the vast opportunities unlocking in Turkmenistan in energy, infrastructure, production, defense and security."

Central Asia has an increasing strategic significance for the global geopolitical balance and close relations with Italy, which is proven by the activated mechanism of regular consultations with the five Central Asian states in the 1+5 format, he said.

The business forum resulted in signing a package of bilateral agreements on long-term cooperation. These include a confidentially agreement between the Turkmen Communications Ministry's State Cybersecurity Service and Leonardo-Societa per azioni. The Turkmen Communications Ministry signed a memorandum of mutual understanding with the same company.

Memoranda on mutual understanding were signed between the Turkmen Textile Industry Ministry and four Italian companies, namely Marzoli Machines Textile S.M.L., Itema S.p.A., MCS dyeing & finishing machinery, and Savio Maccine Tessili S.p.A..

A memorandum on mutual understanding between the Turkmen Energy Ministry and Pietro Fiorentini S.p.A aims to expand energy cooperation.

The two foreign ministries signed a memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation in personnel training.

The Turkmen State Customs Service and the Italian Customs and Monopoly Agency signed a joint declaration on prospective cooperation in customs.