Croatian president says door to Turkmenistan opened, it's entrepreneurs' turn

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic on Wednesday assessed his two-day state visit to Turkmenistan as very successful, saying the political and economic contacts had opened the door to that country and that it was now up to entrepreneurs to realise their ventures.

"The contacts agreed and made so far aren't bad at all and I hope there will be even bigger ones. I think the door has been opened. Turkmenistan is one of the biggest gas exporters and, in the context of the Russian gas supply crisis, opening new and better contacts with that country is important also because of one's own energy independence," Josipovic told reporters.

Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Sinisa Hajdas Doncic was also satisfied. "Aside from the fact that umbrella agreements have been signed that enable Croatian companies to do business in Turkmenistan and vice versa, there's a lot of interest on the Turkmen side to cooperate with Croatian business people," he said.

"That's why I'm very optimistic about the future because some of the contracts will be formalised in the next ten days or so. I believe that Vijadukt will conclude a contract to build a 100km road section, which is good for the economy as a whole. I'm glad the business people did a good presentation of their possibilities, which range from the construction of factories to the delivery of finished products. That provides many possibilities for Croatia," said Hajdas Doncic.

"Turkmenistan is a country with a lot of potential for our business people. There have been concrete talks and I hope the visit will be fruitful," said Croatian Chamber of Commerce president Luka Barilovic.

President Josipovic wrapped up his visit to Turkmenistan by touring the oil refinery and the port in Turkmenbashi and the Avaza national tourism zone. The refinery, the biggest in Turkmenistan, sells oil on the European market and represents an opportunity for Croatian companies involved in the renovation, maintenance and making of parts.

Two truck carrier ships being built in Croatia's Uljanik are expected to arrive in the port in October.

The Avaza national tourism zone is conceived as the Turkmen Riviera on the Caspian Sea. The Croatian delegation led by Josipovic sailed on a boat along the river made in the desert as part of the zone.