Gurbanguły Berdymuchamedow made an uncommon abroad journey to France, bringing what the state-controlled press agency described as "important papers to extend cooperation between 2 countries".
The visit was not exclusively devoted to the extension of exports of natural gas from Turkmenistan to the European Union. The May 7 material published by Turkmenportal indicates that a memo has been signed on the agreement with various French companies dealing with aviation, agriculture, urban development, water resources management and telecommunications, as well as 1 covering the improvement of gas reserves. However, no details of the contracts concluded are given. It is not certain that memoranda will lead to crucial investments in the Turkmen economy, but they are symbolically important, confirming the willingness of Turkmen leaders to open the country after the first more than 3 decades of the independent existence of Turkmenistan kept it mostly isolated from the outside world.
The central point of Berdymuchamedov's journey on May 5-6 was the Turkmen-French economical Forum, in which the top-ranking directors of leading French companies participated. Turkmen leader besides held talks with French president Emmanuel Macron. In his speech at the Berdymuchamedow forum, he stressed that Turkmenistan is open to business. "Turkmenistan is ready to offer French entrepreneurs any favourable terms to invest and further grow the mutually beneficial cooperation" — stated, stressing that his country is curious notonly attracting investment to its energy sector, but besides exploring the anticipation of attracting tiny and medium-sized French companies to operate in Turkmenistan." Berdymuchamedow further called for France's assistance in developing the crucial tourist possible of Turkmenistan, pointing out that the country has all the conditions for systematic planning of economical cooperation strategies.
In the past year Turkmenistan has tried to end the years of self-imposed isolation from the West. In March, a breakthrough gas exchange agreement was launched to send natural gas west by Turkey.
Source: Eurasianet
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