OREANDA-NEWS. April 13, 2012. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin, who arrived in the Turkmen capital leading a representative delegation of Russia.

The top level guest conveyed the hearty congratulations on the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of signing the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation and the best wishes on behalf of President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. It was noted in the address that within the years, the intergovernmental relations had significantly advanced, and great progress had been achieved due to the sovereign policy of neutral Turkmenistan that was an important factor for stability and safety in the Central Asia.

President Gurbaguly Berdimuhamedov, in his turn, addressed the best wishes to the Government of the friendly country underlining that the Russian Federation had always been and would be an important, strategic partner that had been bounded with Turkmenistan with centuries-old traditions of good-neighborliness, and prospect cooperation based on the mutual respect, equality and given the national interests.

It was underlined during the meeting that Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation established a wide contractual and legal basis of the intergovernmental relations that included over 150 treaties, agreements and protocols. Dwelling upon the importance of the intensification of the traditional cooperation at various levels, the Turkmen leader and the Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan emphasized the significance the both countries paid to stirring up cooperation between the foreign-policy agencies of Turkmenistan and Russia. That was vividly proved by the Programme on Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for 2012 signed recently.

As is known, today, the both countries closely collaborate within the framework of the regional and leading international organisations and structures, including the Commonwealth of Independent States that is chaired by Turkmenistan in 2012.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation noted that the constructive policy pursued by the Turkmen leader had won the well-deserved authority and unconditional recognition of the world community members, including Russia that considered Turkmenistan as a reliable, time-proved partner playing a key role in guaranteeing peace and stability in the Central Asian region given the generally-recognized status of a peacemaking country.

The confidential relations established between the heads of the two countries as well as the regular visits at various levels have contributed to achieving the efficient political dialogue. The tendency to increasing the volumes of the trade turnover between the two countries and successful work of the leading Russian companies in implementation of the large-scale reformatory programmes at the Turkmen market that is very attractive for foreign investors vividly testifies to it.

Today, over 180 joint enterprises and Russian companies, including Itera, Vozrozhdenie, etc. successfully work in Turkmenistan within the framework of the mutually beneficial long-term cooperation, including the projects on construction of numerous industrial and social facilities, roads and communications.

The President of Turkmenistan and his guest expressed with satisfaction that cooperation based on a powerful foundation was enriched with the joint work in all key spheres, including the fuel and energy, transport and communication sectors, industry, agriculture, healthcare, etc. Given the mutual interest in an important part of the intergovernmental dialogue, cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, including education, science, and culture is of paramount significance for our countries. The study of the Turkmen youth in the higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation, participation of the scientists of the both countries in international scientific conferences taken place in Turkmenistan and Russia, widening of joint research activities have a positive influence on the process of making the peoples of the two countries closer to each other.

According to the President of Turkmenistan and his guest, artistic festivals, Russian book exhibitions, the Days of the Russian Cinematography, concerts and other cultural events held in Turkmenistan on a regular basis have become the bridges of friendship and mutual understanding. In this regard it is notable that within these days Ashgabat will host the Days of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, and in May, the delegation of Turkmenistan including prominent workers of culture and art of our country will visit the Astrakhan region.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin attended the meeting.