Energy, transport cooperation to be discussed in meeting of Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee

ASHGABAT. April 13 (Interfax) - The 7th session of the Turkmen-Chinese Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, which will take place in Ashgabat on April 16, will address some issues concerning the priority tracks of development of strategic partnership, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow said.

Meredow reported on the preparations for the upcoming event at a government meeting held in Turkmenabat, the administrative center of the Lebap region, on Friday, the paper Neutral Turkmenistan reported on Saturday.

Among the priority tracks of cooperation Meredow named cooperation on cyber and biological security and energy partnership, including new projects to develop strategic gas fields.

"Transport cooperation also plays a big role. In this aspect, issues relating to modernization of the railway infrastructure will be considered with the Chinese side," Meredow said.

"Bearing in mind the good geographical situation of Turkmenistan, intensification of logistics partnership appears especially important. In this regard, the issue of increasing interaction in the transport-logistics sphere on the priority tracks China-Turkmenistan-Caspian Sea-Europe, Turkmenistan-China-South and Eastern Asia-Asia-Pacific region will be put on the agenda," Meredow said.

The issue of intensification of bilateral cooperation on communications and digitalization, exchange of experience and interaction in the sphere of IT and artificial intelligence, cooperation in the sphere of agriculture will also be addressed, he said.

A number of documents aimed at reinforcing the legislative framework of Turkmen-Chinese relations are expected to be adopted in the meeting, other documents may also be signed, he said.

Strategic interaction with China plays a central role in Turkmenistan's foreign policy, Meredow said.