Turkmen president, Azerbaijani economy minister discuss energy, transport cooperation

ASHGABAT. July 9 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has met with Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported on Thursday.

Closer trade and economic relations, joint energy projects, and development of transit and transport routes topped the meeting's agenda.

The sides stressed that the regular dialogue at the summit level and the recent state visit of the Turkmen president to Baku opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, the report said.

They described the joint intergovernmental commission as the key instrument of diversification of bilateral relations. Its next meeting is due to expedite the fulfillment of earlier agreements.

The use of the advantageous geographical position of both countries was emphasized at the meeting. The sides agreed that the Caspian Sea region had vast opportunities for international energy projects and end-to-end logistics routes.

They also discussed preparations for consultations of the Central Asian and Azerbaijani heads of state due in Turkmenistan this year and bound to strengthen regional integration.