Minsk anticipates to escape responsibility for failed deadlines during potash plant construction in Turkmenistan

Former Prime Minister and Chairman of Council of the Republic Mikhail Myasnikovich expressed discontent to Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belarus Nazarguly Shagulyev due to the difficulties faced by Belarusian workers during the construction of the Garlyk mining and processing plant. In turn, Turkmenistan accused Belarus of noncompliance with her obligations in the construction of the Garlyk mine. So far, there were no serious mutual claims between Minsk and Ashgabat, regardless of seriously delayed deadlines at the construction site in Turkmenistan. That said, the plant should have been commissioned in 2015. Belarus and Turkmenistan regard their bilateral relations as a strategic partnership and hold annual bilateral summits. Apparently, prolonged economic crisis in Belarus has affected Belarus’ ability to fulfil her commitments in the mine construction, albeit the president supervises the project. Minsk is likely to exacerbate bilateral relations due to the inability to fulfil the construction commitments by the designated deadline, March 2017.