Rosgeologiya offered Turkmenistan cooperation in the exploration of minerals.

Turkmenistan intends to be actively involved in mineral exploration together with Russian geological exploration company Rosgeologiya, the TASS news agency reported on Saturday, citing the Russian trade representative to Turkmenistan Alexander Yelizarov as saying after the Russian-Turkmen business forum held in Ashgabat.

"The forum was attended by the Head of Rosgeologiya Sergey Gorkov, who held meetings with the leadership of Turkmengeologiya (Turkmen Geology), Turkmengaz (Turkmen Gas), Turkmennebit (Turkmen Oil), and the Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side plans to be actively involved in mineral exploration together with Rosgeologiya, this was the task they voiced at the meeting,” Yelizarov told TASS, adding that, “Now we are working on the preparation and signing of a bilateral agreement on cooperation. I believe that the future work will be based on organization of visits of Rosgeologiya's specialists to Turkmenistan who will together with representatives of the Turkmen side implement the tasks set.”

As Gorkov said at the forum, Rosgeologiya offered Turkmenistan cooperation in the exploration of minerals (hydrocarbons and solids), participation of the company in building Turkmenistan's first underground gas storage, and study of soils for different projects, including infrastructure.

The Russian-Turkmen business forum was held in Ashgabat on January 19-20. The Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin took part in the plenary session. The business forum gathered over 200 Russian and more than 150 Turkmen businesses.