Turkmenistan, Latvia Sign Four Cooperation Documents

Ashgabat, 9 October 2008 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan and Latvia signed Wednesday in Ashgabat four documents for expanding mutual cooperation. The presidents of both the countries issued a joint statement.

The documents were signed after a meeting between Turkmen President Berdymuhamedov and Latvian President Valdis Zalters, who is on official visit to Turkmenistan, 7-9 October.

Later, a joint business forum was held with 90 businessmen participating from the Latvian side.

This is the first visit of a Latvian president to Turkmenistan and the progress made during the summit meeting and the business forum should be a source of satisfaction for both sides.

Here are the major points covered during the presidential talks and the forum:

• The bilateral trade turnover stood at US $ 1.7 million in 2007 but it has already exceeded US $ 58 million during the first six months of this year
  

• Turkmenistan would encourage direct relations between ministries and departments of both the countries
  

• Commercial flights would soon start between the capitals of Turkmenistan and Latvia
  

• Turkmenistan and Latvia will work together for implementation of EU-Central Asia partnership strategy and EU-Turkmenistan MoU on energy cooperation.
  

• Fuel and energy sector, transport, communication, trade, tourism, wood industry and forestry industry are key areas for partnership
  

• Turkmenistan would encourage Latvian companies to bring their know-how and technology in solar energy and non-conventional energy to Turkmenistan
  

• North-South and East-West trade and transportation corridors offer mutually rewarding opportunities to both sides; the under-construction railway link between Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan could dovetail with port facilities of Latvia

Here is the list of documents signed Wednesday:

• Agreement for cooperation between chambers of commerce
• Intergovernmental agreement on air services
• Intergovernmental agreement for economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation
• Protocol of cooperation between foreign ministries
• Joint statement by the presidents of Turkmenistan and Latvia

The Latvian president praised Turkmenistan's contribution in promoting stability and economic growth in Afghanistan. He invited President Berdymuhamedov for visit to Latvia.

Dr. Valdis Zalters was elected on 31 May 2007 as president of Latvia for a term of four years.

Valdis Zatlers was elected president of Latvia on 31 May 2007 by the Parliament for a four-year term. He is a medical doctor by profession, specializing in trauma and orthopedics.

Besides Latvian, he speaks English and Russian fluently.

Turkmenistan and Latvia established diplomatic relations in 1993 but only last year was Latvian non-resident ambassador accredited to Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan exports fuel and oil products, textile goods and agricultural products to Latvia and imports equipment and machinery, motor vehicles, metal products, food items, chemicals, electrical and household appliances.

As of 1 September 2008, two projects with total value of US $ one million were registered in TurkmenistanTurkmenistan. in collaboration of Latvian companies. Latvian KELK is engaged in wholesale trade in

According to World Bank statistics, nominal GDP of Latvia for 2007 was US $ 27.154 billion. IMF statistics say that per capita GDP (PPP) of Latvia in 2007 was US $ 17461.

IMF statistics put per capita GDP (PPP) growth of Latvia at 13.85%. This is expected to slow down to 6.2% in 2008.

World Bank estimates Turkmenistan's nominal GDP in 2007 at US $ 12.933 billion. IMF assesses per capita GDP (PPP) of Turkmenistan was US $ 5154 for 2007.

Kārlis Vilhelms Augusts Ulmanis (1877-1942), the first prime minister of pre-soviet Latvia, was sent to jail in Krasnovodsk by the Stalin regime; he died, and was buried, there. Krasnovodsk (now renamed Turkmenbashy) is the main Caspian port of Turkmenistan. Valdis Zatlers will visit his burial site during the visit.