22 Oct 2010 15:35

Russia to develop energy cooperation with Turkmenistan - Medvedev

TURKMENBASHI. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Energy remains the key element of Russian-Turkmen cooperation, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said during talks with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.

"We believe that energy is the key element of our cooperation. We are ready to further develop interesting areas of this cooperation in the energy sector as well," he said.

At the same time, "we must think about the future, and the whole world is now becoming energy efficient, trying to save, and it seems to me that energy efficiency and new technologies are absolutely essential for our future cooperation," Medvedev said.

"We have agreed to conduct a forum on innovation and new technologies," the Russian leader said.

The Turkmen-Russian innovation forum will be held in Ashgabat in 2011, Berdimuhamedow said.

"[Moscow] appreciates Turkmenistan's neutral stance on the key issues of cooperation in Central Asia," Medvedev said.

"This is not a simple region, and many things depend on Turkmenistan, this is why our efforts to counter the main threats form an exceptional and productive cooperation," the Russian president said.

Overall, "our friendly relations have a solid contractual basis and see some good dynamics. We also value the active presence of large Russian companies on the Turkmen market, " said Medvedev, adding that the intergovernmental commission will meet in early November.

Other important aspects of cooperation are agriculture and inter-regional ties, Medvedev told Berdimuhamedow. "It is important that you visit not just Moscow but also our regions."