28 April, Ashgabat /Tatyana Polezhay - BELTA/. Belarus and Turkmenistan are building relations on the principles of strategic partnership and alliance. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in an expanded format, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "I consider it extremely important that mutually beneficial and equal relations between our states have been developing all these recent years. We have reached the level of strategic partnership and, more importantly, allied relations," said Alexander Lukashenko. He noted that the countries have identified priority areas for bilateral cooperation: trade, agriculture, and the construction of a mining and processing plant for the production of potash fertilizers. Alexander Lukashenko believes that the project presented by Belarusian specialists will allow for the comprehensive development of the Garlyk deposit based on the most advanced technologies. Possessing extensive experience in the extraction and sale of potash fertilizers, Belarus sees the prospects and export potential of this project. At the same time, Belarus does not view Turkmenistan as a competitor in global markets but as a reliable partner. The President of Belarus also drew attention to the reliability of Belarusian equipment, which is successfully operating in all regions of Turkmenistan. He confirmed that Belarus is ready to double the supply of equipment to Turkmenistan this year. Belarus is also ready to share its accumulated experience in agriculture. The head of the Belarusian state emphasized that the future in this area lies in technologies and mechanization, and the application of intensive forms and methods of production organization. "Today I have the opportunity to once again be convinced of the Turkmen leadership's desire to expand strategic interaction with Belarus," stressed Alexander Lukashenko. Speaking about the interaction between Belarus and Turkmenistan in the international arena, the Belarusian leader assured that Belarus is always ready to lend a shoulder to Turkmenistan in any situation. He also emphasized that Belarus has never acted opportunistically for tactical reasons.