BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 3. Turkmenistan and
Ukraine discussed steps to advance bilateral cooperation during the
talks in Kyiv.


This was reflected in a statement published by Ukraine's
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


"Ukraine regards Turkmenistan as an important partner, both
bilaterally and within the framework of Central Asia-Ukraine
cooperation, and is interested in developing mutually beneficial
cooperation and bilateral relations based on mutual respect for
shared interests," the statement said.


According to the ministry, the issues were discussed during a
meeting between Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr
Mischenko and Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Ukraine Toýly
Ataýew.


The statement noted that the parties reviewed the outcomes of
Mischenko's recent working visit to Turkmenistan and discussed
follow-up steps to implement agreements reached during meetings
with senior Turkmen officials.


In the course of the talks, the sides emphasized the importance
of intensifying political dialogue, including preparations for
future high-level visits between the two countries.







In addition, the discussions covered trade and economic
cooperation, expanding business contacts, the participation of
Ukrainian companies in projects in Turkmenistan, and the resumption
of the Joint Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Turkmen Commission on
Economic, Cultural, and Humanitarian Cooperation.


The parties also explored opportunities to deepen transport and
logistics cooperation, as well as joint initiatives in education,
student training, and the professional development of diplomatic
personnel, the report says.


Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Ukraine established diplomatic
relations in 1992 and maintain a legal framework that includes a
bilateral free trade agreement, which has remained in force since
1995. In recent years, bilateral engagement has focused mainly on
political consultations, contacts through the foreign ministries,
and cooperation within the United Nations, while trade and economic
interaction have remained relatively limited compared with the two
countries' relations with other regional partners.


Earlier in April, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also held discussions on
prospects for expanding trade, economic, and humanitarian
cooperation on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy
Forum.