President of Russia Vladimir Putin to arrive with Official Visit in Ashgabat on 2 October

On 2 October Ashgabat will host talks between the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who will arrive in the Turkmen capital with an official visit. Priority aspects of interstate relations, issues of regional and international politics that are of mutual interest for the sides will be discussed at the high-level meeting. 

As stressed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 29 September, our country and Russia are bound by long standing relations of true friendship. Turkmenistan–Russia dialog that is based on the principles of strategic partnership is developing actively both in bilateral and multilateral formats, within the framework of major international organizations. 

Russian Federation and Turkmenistan support each other’s constructive initiatives and proposals put forward in the UN and other reputable structures. Our countries demonstrate proximity or similarity of positions of such key global issues as ensuring universal peace and security, withstanding challenges and threats of our time. 

Building on reciprocal political good will of the sides; long experience of cooperation in commercial, economic, humanitarian and cultural spheres and, of course, on historically established ties of friendship and good-neighborliness, Turkmenistan–Russia partnership is acquiring new contents today. 

At the same time, among important factors are the relations of mutual understanding and trust that have been established between the leaders of the two countries, Turkmenistan and Russian Federation’s commitment to taking the interstate dialog to new milestones that meet the mutual priorities and the realities of our time. Eloquent proof to that is the regular nature of high-level meetings and talks, including those at major international events, summits of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the leaders of the Caspian states. 

Systematic ties are maintained at the level of governments, foreign ministries and parliaments of the two countries. During 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, a significant legal framework has been created, and currently it contains 191 bilateral documents. 

Productive collaboration between Turkmenistan and the largest regions of Russia including the Republic of Tatarstan, Saint-Petersburg, Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk provinces and other subjects of the Russian Federation, can truly be called a vivid example of development of bilateral cooperation. 

Equally vivid indicator of successful economic cooperation is the presence of several renowned Russian companies on the Turkmen market. They participate in implementing joint projects including those in the fuel and energy sector that is strategic for both nations, and express their interest in the further development of business contacts. Currently, 188 enterprises with participation of the Russian side are registered in Turkmenistan. 

The positive dynamics of the interstate partnership can be seen in the vigorous activity of the Intergovernmental Turkmenistan–Russia Commission on Economic Cooperation, and also in the work of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the two countries. 

And certainly, one of the most important components of Turkmenistan–Russia relations is humanitarian cooperation that remains the special focus of the sides. This is evidenced by yearly expanding contacts in education, science and culture. Cooperation in training qualified specialists has been considerably intensified. Turkmen students are regularly sent to study in leading universities of the Russian Federation. 

Moreover, a strong impetus has been given to cultural and artistic exchanges. Specifically, last August Moscow and Vladimir quite successfully hosted Turkmenistan Culture Days in the Russian Federation. This highest level meeting will coincide with the Russian Federation Culture Days that will be organized in Ashgabat. 

Following the upcoming high-level talks, a large package of bilateral documents will be signed, increasing the importance of yet another meeting between the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.