On the second day of the official visit of President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko to Turkmenistan the leaders of two countries visited Lebap Velayat where they took part in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the large-scale ore-dressing plant producing potash fertilizers.

This large-scale project was to be a landmark in the chronicle of friendship and fruitful cooperation between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Belarus, an important step to implement the agreements reached during the Turkmen-Belarusian top level talks in Ashgabat, which had proved the mutual willingness and readiness to employ the potential of interstate partnership and make it more dynamics and specific.

As was reported, upon concluding the top level talks the bilateral documents aimed at intensifying cooperation in the trade and economic, transport and customs sectors, the spheres of education, science an high technologies, health care, culture, information, sport and tourism had been signed.

In the afternoon the Turkmen leader’s plane landed at the Turkmenabat airport. The heartily welcome was extended to the President, the elders offered up the prayers for the wellbeing of Turkmenistan, happiness and welfare of the Turkmen people.

At the airport the Turkmen leader talked about the plans of further development of the region, in particular development of abundant natural resources, to the people of Lebap.

Several minutes later the Belarusian leader’s plane landed at the airport decorated with the national flags of the friendly countries. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cordially greeted Aleksander Lukashenko

The leaders of the two countries exchanged the heartfelt wishes. Then they boarded the helicopter that took them to Koytendag Etrap – the future large industrial centre.

The grandiose reforms of paramount importance for the future of this region and further economic development of Turkmenistan were taking place in the ancient land of Lebap today.

The festive atmosphere and emotional upheaval reigned in Garlyk settlement on that day. The territory of the ore-dressing plant was festively decorated with the national flags of Turkmenistan and Belarus, the portraits of the two leaders. An exposition with the stands and models was arranged there providing a complete picture of further development of the rich ore deposit

By tradition bread and salt and bouquets of wonderful flowers were presented to the leaders of Turkmenistan and Belarus. The mullah offered up the prayer for the wellbeing of the two friendly states. The folk groups of Lebap performed a musical composition for the participants and guests of the ceremony.

Greeting numerous participants of the ceremony including the members of the official delegations of two countries, high-ranking officials of Lebap Velayat, leading ministries and departments, public organisations and journalists the Presidents delivered the speeches.

Heartily greeting President Aleksander Lukashenko and the members of the Belarusian government delegation, all those present the Turkmen leader emphasized that the historic place was taking place in the ancient land of Lebap on that day – construction of the first in Turkmenistan ore-dressing plant producing potash fertilizers would be started.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that symbolizing the firm ties of friendship between Turkmenistan and Belarus this unprecedented and very important project would add a special page to the chronicle of national revival of Turkmenistan, be a positive example of mutually advantageous partnership on the Eurasian continent.

The Turkmen leader continued that maintaining the good relations with the neighbours and other countries of the world Turkmenistan set an example of establishment the lofty principles of international cooperation – mutual respect and openness, friendship and fraternity, willingness to live in peace and cohesion, work together and build the bright future for its people, address global challenges. That was the essence of Turkmenistan’s open-door policy which had been recognized by global community ad authoritative international organisations.

The President said that within a short space of time the large-scale work had been carried out in Turkmenistan to diversify the national economy and increase the living standards. Under the national programme on improvement of the social and living standards in rural areas new settlements were founded, social and economic infrastructure was built, dozens of large-scale facilities including comfortable apartment houses, multimedia schools, kindergartens, hospitals supplied with state-of-the-art equipment, plans and factories were constructed.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the tasks to be fulfilled in the near future were more grandiose. These included further enhancement of the potential of national chemical industry based on the abundant reserves of natural resources. In particular, it concerned production of high-quality mineral fertilizers which were of great demand caused by the ongoing agricultural reform, increase in agricultural output and achievement of abundance of food products.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the project on construction of the ore-dressing plant producing potash fertilizers launched by Turkmenistan and Belarus was closely interrelated with these plans. In fact, it was the establishment of mineral resource industry with the profound resource potential – the new one for Turkmen economy.

Construction and putting into cooperation of the plant using advanced technologies would provide the qualitatively new opportunities for social and economic development of Lebap. In the region the high-capacity engineering, communication and transport infrastructure would be built, dozens of new facilities would be built that would result in creating new jobs.

In conclusion Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan attached paramount importance to development of mutually advantageous cooperation and the huge economic potential, unstained business reputation and favourable investment climate attracted numerous friends and business partners to our country. The Turkmen leader said, “We value friendship and are always open for our true friends and Turkmenistan views Belarus as one of them – a true friend and dependable, time-proved partner.

Congratulating those present on the remarkable event – the start of construction of the ore-dressing plant the Turkmen leader expressed belief that implementation of this project would be the prologue of great undertakings for the benefit of the Turkmen and Belarusian peoples, for common progress.

Then the floor was given to President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko.

Greeting the participants of the ceremony Aleksander Lukashenko emphasized that this was a historic day marking the birth of the new sector of Turkmen economy – mineral resource industry. Thanks to the Turkmen leader’s farseeing decision the country had gained the facility of strategic importance. Aleksander Lukashenko that it gave him great pleasure to note that they were not the guests of the festivities but the participants of the grandiose undertaking – the large-scale investment project.

Aleksander Lukashenko said that Belarus had assumed the great responsibility of being Turkmenistan’s major partner in turnkey construction of the ore-dressing plant for developing Garlyk potassium deposit. The honorary guest continued that Belarus had the profound experience in developing potassium deposits, producing and exporting mineral fertilizers, the relevant infrastructure including one of the largest enterprises in the world – Belaruskaliy.

The Belarusian leader said that implementation of the joint project in Turkmenistan – a breakthrough in bilateral cooperation for many years ahead noting that this project provided for not only construction of the industrial facility and creation of new jobs but also delivery of machines and equipment and training Turkmen specialists, sharing of experience. Aleksander Lukashenko said that Belarus stood ready to ensure comprehensive development of this and other, in future, deposits through using advanced technologies, complying with the occupational safety and environmental requirements and assured that Belarus would meet the partner commitments.

Aleksander Lukashenko said that the main contractor of the project – Belgorhimporm was one of Belarus’s leading enterprises and successfully implemented the projects on international markets, the Russian Federation, Venezuela and many other countries worldwide and ensured the high quality of works.

The President of Belarus said that the first phase on the concept on development of Garlyk deposit provided for shaft development of the deposit and construction of the plant producing potash fertilizers with the annual capacity of 1-1.5 million tons. In future the capacity would be increased up to 4-4.5 million tons. This provided the vast opportunities to enhance Turkmenistan’s export potential. Aleksander Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus viewed Turkmenistan not as a potential rival on world market but a dependable partner.

“Today we are going to put the capsule not only into the foundation of the new industrial facility but also the foundation of friendship between our peoples,” the President of Belarus said. “I believe that in the near future the Garlyk ore-dressing plant will lay the basis for Turkmenistan’s mineral resource industry and the largest producer of potash fertilizers in the Central Asian region.”

In conclusion Aleksander Lukashenko expressed belief that the first consignment of potash fertilizers would be dispatched o consumer in several years.

Then to the applause of those present the leaders of the two countries affixed their signatures to the message to the future generation and put into the special capsule. The capsule was put into the foundation of the building of the future ore-dressing plant. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Aleksander Lukashenko took part in the symbolic ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new industrial giant.

Upon concluding the ceremony the leaders of the two countries visited the exposition of the future complex, which would be a landmark symbol of successfully developed Turkmen-Belarusian cooperation. The exposition presented a broad range of production of Belarus’s machine building. The partners were unanimous that the delivery of machines and equipment of different kinds remained traditional and very promising trend in long-term successful cooperation based on the scale of the ongoing reforms in Turkmenistan and Belarus’s readiness to offer latest technologies and innovations Turkmen partners.

Bidding cordial farewells to the participants of the ceremony the leader left the construction site in Koytendag Etrap.

In the afternoon the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Belarus had a dinner at the Ruhiyet Palace in Turkmenabat.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Aleksander Lukashenko arrived in the airport. Bidding cordial farewells the leaders of the two countries expressed belief that the Turkmen-Belarusian relations would be successfully furthered and wished wellbeing, peace and progress to the fraternal peoples of Turkmenistan and Belarus. Then the President of Belarus left for Minsk.

In the evening the President of Turkmenistan returned to Ashgabat.