Ambassador of France to Ashgabat Jean Clod Rishar spoke in Turkmen mass media today on the occasion of his country's national day, Day of the Bastille's fall.

The head of the diplomatic mission noted that the Embassy works in the spirit of ideas of the French revolution in Turkmenistan, and that "respect for the Turkmen culture and a desire to get to know it better" is the Embassy's guiding principle. According to the diplomat, the Embassy considers it very important to regularly arrange cultural events not only to get Turkmenistan acquainted with the French culture but also promote exchanges between cultural representatives of both states.

As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports, the Ambassador pointed out that "French companies were among the first partners of Turkmenistan in the field of economy." In the diplomat's opinion, the well-known French "Bouygues" company has done great services to Turkmenistan in the city construction reform. Besides projects that have been already implemented, this company is currently implementing 8 projects in Ashgabat and its vicinity that will be finished soon. In particular, the President hotel, buildings of the Art Academy and a Graphic Arts museum as well as the largest in Central Asia Mosque in Kipchak are among them.

Another French companies, the Ambassador noted, also take part to a significant extent in the development of Turkmenistan. In fact, "Technip" participates in the renovation of the Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries. "Tales" backs the country's air control system through the supply of the latest air navigation equipment. "Schlumberge" renders services in exploration and exploitation of oil and gas fields, and has considerably increased its Turkmenistan's staff. "Sersel" supplies geophysical analysis equipment on the annual basis. "Schneider" specializes in electricity systems supplies; "Astom" will install a lot of pumping stations. According to the Ambassador, "Cifal" group of companies and many other companies that participate in small-scale projects, yet, very interesting, have a long record of cooperation with Turkmenistan.

The head of the diplomatic mission emphasized that "the French community in Turkmenistan is the largest western community in the republic."

"I am confident that the development of contacts and cooperation is in everybody's interest. From this point of view, I welcome all those steps as the abolition of exit visas and registration of non-governmental organizations taken to achieve ideals of freedom and fraternity that we associate with the fall of the Bastille," Jean Clod Rishar said in conclusion.