The Governor of the Astrakhan region Igor Babushkin and khyakim of the Balkan region Hojamyrat Ashyrmyradov held an online meeting during which they discussed promising areas of cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Russian side – Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Astrakhan region Denis Afanasyev, Minister of External Relations of the region Vladimir Golovkov, Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Energy of the region Mikhail Kabakov. From Turkmenistan – Acting Head of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi Seyitguly Bayseidov, Director of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan for the Balkan region Batyr Yusubov.

Igor Babushkin noted that Turkmenistan is one of the main international partners for the Astrakhan region, the press service of the Administration of the Governor of the Russian Federation said.

"We have many joint projects in the fields of trade, logistics, industry, culture and education. I am sure that the Balkan Velayat will be able to take an active part in their implementation," the governor noted.

The Head of the region stressed that the development of cargo transportation in the Caspian Sea is of particular importance for the Astrakhan Region, which is the most important participant of the North—South MTC. This will be facilitated by the establishment of a regular shipping line between the ports of the Astrakhan region and the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi. Shipbuilding is called an important area of cooperation.

"Our shipbuilders are ready to fulfill orders on the terms of industrial cooperation with Turkmen colleagues," the head of the region noted, specifying that Astrakhan factories could assemble ship hulls, and then they can be transported to the port of Turkmenbashi and retrofitted at the Balkan plant.

Tourism is a promising area of cooperation. "I was lucky enough to visit the Avaza National Resort Area many times," Babushkin said. – Geographically, it is much closer to the south of Russia than most foreign resorts. The flight from Astrakhan to Turkmenbashi will take about an hour."

In this regard, the Governor raised the issue of opening regular flights in this direction and facilitating the visa regime for Russian tourists in Avaza. In addition, the construction of a modern comfortable vessel "Peter the Great" is being completed in the region, which in 2024 will begin to make tourist flights along the Caspian Sea with a call, including to Turkmenistan.

The acting head of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi, Seyitguly Bayseidov, said that the issues of receiving Peter the Great in the seaport of Turkmenistan are currently being worked out.

Noting the special role of municipalities in interregional cooperation, the Governor proposed to intensify contacts between the twin cities of Astrakhan and Turkmenbashi, organizing mutual visits of delegations to discuss areas of joint work and invited the hyakim of the Balkan Velayat to visit the Astrakhan region.

Hojamyrat Ashyrmyradov, in turn, spoke in detail about the implementation of transport and logistics projects, focusing special attention on the potential of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi.

According to hakim, the development of the port opens up wide opportunities for cooperation with the Astrakhan region in the transport and logistics sector.

"I believe that this will contribute to the further development of trade and economic ties between our countries and regions," Hojamyrat Ashyrmyradov stressed.

The cooperation agreement between the Astrakhan Region and the Balkan Velayat of Turkmenistan, as well as the twinning agreement between the cities of Astrakhan and Turkmenbashi were signed in 2022 in Moscow on the eve of the first official visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Russian Federation.

ORIENT news