Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, which this year celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, are united by long-standing, primordially friendly relations. In the modern era, interstate dialogue, built on the principles of strategic partnership, is dynamically developing both in a bilateral and multilateral format.

As President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted in his message to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on the occasion of this anniversary, the past period convincingly shows that the Treaty not only echoes historical traditions of friendship and good neighborliness of our peoples, but also creates a solid legal basis for the stable development of bilateral relations. The head of the Turkmen state also expressed confidence that the implementation of the potential provided for in the Treaty would serve to further strengthen and expand Turkmen-Russian cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres.

The Head of the Russian Federation, in his congratulatory message to his Turkmen colleague, also noted with satisfaction that our countries are constructively interacting within the framework of authoritative international organizations, demonstrating the closeness or identity of positions on key issues of regional and global issues related to ensuring global peace, security and prosperity. Stressing that the 2002 Treaty marked the beginning of the current stage of interstate relations between Russia and Turkmenistan, created the conditions for a qualitative increase in bilateral dialogue and interaction in many areas, President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that by joint efforts we would ensure further strengthening of the Russian-Turkmenistan strategic partnership, which, undoubtedly meets the fundamental interests of our peoples, goes in line with ensuring security and stability in Central Asia and the Caspian region.

Turkmen-Russian cooperation covers a wide range of areas that characterize the presence of a solid potential for building up effective ties in the trade and economic sphere, where an important role is assigned to the activities of the joint Turkmen-Russian Intergovernmental Commission. Great importance is attached to strengthening traditional contacts in the humanitarian field, in the area of education and science, culture and art.

In this context, it should be noted that on April 9th, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation from the Russian side Alexei Overchuk, who arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit at the head of the government delegation of his country. 

During the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister discussed state and prospects of partnership, noting the great potential for its intensification in key areas, in particular, in the trade, economic and fuel and energy sectors, agriculture, light and processing industries, transport - communication and a number of other areas.

Mutual interest was also expressed in enhancing interstate ties in the cultural and humanitarian sphere, including through science and education, and tourism. It was noted that there is also a significant potential for expanding fruitful contacts in the field of sports, the promotion and development of which is given special importance in both countries. As the head of Turkmenistan emphasized, developing bilateral relations, we rely on the old traditions of brotherhood and mutual sympathy of peoples, the commitment of our states to the principles of peace and humanism. This is a good basis for cooperation and mutual understanding of important issues of global and regional development.

Thanks to the interaction between our countries, major projects have been launched in recent years. Particular emphasis was placed on partnership issues in the development of the Caspian Sea. In particular, the interlocutors discussed the possibility of joint work in the field of shipbuilding.

On the same day, a regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Ashgabat, which was attended by heads and representatives of state structures, including leading sectoral ministries and departments, as well as business circles of the two countries.

The agenda of the meeting included issues related to the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations, the results of the work done on the practical implementation of the agreements reached earlier.

The issues of Turkmen-Russian regional cooperation, which have received a new quality and content in recent years, were also considered. Large industrial and cultural centers of Russia are involved in its orbit, including the Republic of Tatarstan, the Astrakhan region, the city of St. Petersburg, and other subjects of the Russian Federation, direct contacts with which make it possible to determine the most relevant points of application of joint interests and efforts in terms of a fuller realization of the potential interstate relations.

Thus, demonstrating adherence to the traditions of good neighborliness, Turkmenistan and Russia are developing a mutually beneficial partnership, taking into account the national interests and priorities of socio-economic development of the two friendly countries and peoples.