Today, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived in the Russian Federation with an official visit. Within the framework of his busy program of the visit, made at the invitation of Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, a number of bilateral meetings to facilitate further progressive development of inter-parliamentary links and as a whole traditionally friendly Turkmen-Russian relations are planned in Moscow.

In the Moscow international airport Vnukovo -2, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was warmly and cordially welcomed by Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko and other officials.

In the second half of the day, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan proceeded to the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Here in the foyer, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was sincerely welcomed by Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament. The Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan handed his Russian colleague a bouquet of flowers.

After the ceremony of officially photographing against the background of flags of the two countries, hero Arkadag made a memorial note in the book of honored guests.

There, in the foyer the photo exhibition devoted to Turkmen-Russian interparliamentary cooperation was organized.

Then, in the Reception Hall, the meeting between Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko, which was held with participation of full delegation, members of official delegations of the two countries, took place.

It was also underlined that the signing of the Agreement between the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation today will mark a new quality and new stage of interaction in the given field. At that, it was pointed out that the present meeting gives a good opportunity to exchange opinions on development of Turkmen-Russian relations as a whole.

The Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan underlined that parliamentary interaction makes an important contribution in the progressive development of strategic Turkmen-Russian partnership and strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples, united by deep historical, cultural and humanitarian links. Contacts between lawmakers of two countries, their professional and personal relations bear a systematic character becoming an inseparable part of all the complex of interstate cooperation and facilitate formation of initiative and principal position of our parliamentarians in most important aspects of international agenda.

In the light of complication of the global situation, it requires the joining of efforts for confirmation of international law, principles of the UN Charter to fight legal nihilism, delusion of functions and mandates of important international institutions. Parliamentary diplomacy today is called to become a tool of peace, cooperation and mutual understanding. It is in this that its main aim, meaning and designation is seen. It is in this role that our activity is today demanded as never before, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan said, noting that here the sides should work initiatively, bravely to propose to the world new ideas and approaches aimed at neutralization and warning conflicts and search of ways of rapprochement of positions.

Hero Arkadag designated facilitation of strengthening of internal political stability in our countries as an unconditional priority of joint work. One should set firm legislative barriers for emergence of extremism and radicalism, attempts to undermine and damage state pillars, introduction of false values and meanings in the public conscience.

In this aspect, it is especially important to address the youth, serious explanatory work aimed at formation of the sound, creative impulses and ideas, education of young men and women in the spirit of patriotism, love for their native land and pride for their country. In this connection, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh proposed to create and make an efficient use of mechanisms of youth’s interaction and attach the given area of inter-parliamentary relations a long term and systematic character.

The same is typical of activity of women parliamentarians, realization of their significant potential in humanization of international relations, attaching to them a noble meaning filling with care of the future generations who will live in this world.

A great and creative work waits for our parliamentarians in realization of the goals of sustainable development, Hero Arkadag continued underlining that food security, ecology, affordable medicine and education– it is not a full list of tasks, which should constantly be in the focus of their attention.

The most important may be also a decisive factor here culture and education. Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh called to use more actively parliamentary tools to strengthen and develop cooperation in the given spheres, to develop conditions for closer cultural interaction, to create joint educational programs and projects, contacts between creative and scientific intelligentsia of Turkmenistan and Russia. At that, it was expressed confidence that there is what we have to feel pride and propose to each other.

Having underlined that in Turkmenistan, they highly appreciate a personal contribution of the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in development and enrichment of the interstate dialogue, Hero Arkadag noted that in many respects, thanks to her efforts today, Turkmen-Russian cooperation is maintained steadily and dynamically. Conveying his sincere gratitude in this connection to Valentina Matvienko, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed adherence of our country to brotherly good neighbourhood relations with Russia.

Having thanked Hero Arkadag for his extensive speech and proposed prospects of inter-parliamentary interaction, the Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament expressed her full support to them and also noted responsibility of parliamentarians of two countries for preservation of successiveness of traditions, strategic partnership that links Russia and Turkmenistan. As was underlined, noble traditions laid by Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, including regular contacts at high level, today are continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. No doubt, that it facilitates further development of all the complex of interstate cooperation.

Again returning to the topic of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the States of Central Asia and the Russian Federation and the Dialogue of Women of the States of Central Asia and the Russian Federation in the new Ashgabat format “5+1”, Valentina Matvienko noted that these large scale initiatives of the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan were fully supported by leaders of countries of the region and the Russian Federation. At that, it was pointed out the importance of the fact that the above mentioned interparliamentary forum also laid a basis for organization of the first Summit “Central Asia –Russia”, which was held successfully in Astana.

Further, during the meeting topical aspects and prospects of Turkmen-Russian interparliamentary interaction were discussed and priority areas of its further development were outlined.

The Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation also exchanged keepsakes. Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Valentina Matvienko with the tumar, one of the traditional Turkmen female jewellery article. In addition to its aesthetic value, the tumar also serves as an amulet, which brings wellbeing to one who wears it. This kind of jewellery article is made by Turkmen jewellers from silver and inlaid with cornelian and turquoise.

Having thanked for such wonderful present, the Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament, gave as a gift to Hero Arkadag the work of fine art, an original painting, which displays autumn in Russia, transformation of Russian nature in this time of the year.

Upon completion of the meeting, the signing ceremony of the Agreement between the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation took place. Hero Arkadag and Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament put their signatures under the document.

Further, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation gave a press conference before representatives of the mass media.

Upon completion of the press conference, the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation proceeded to the foyer, where they watched the performance of young actors of the Domisolka Children's Musical Theatre. This creative group enjoys a wide popularity in Russia and is famous beyond its borders.

On behalf of the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan young Russian actors were presented with gifts.

Having thanked children for their wonderful performance, Hero Arkadag and Speaker of the Upper House of the Russian Parliament had their photos taken as a keepsake.

In the given context, one should note that Turkmenistan attaches special attention to its growing generation for whom all conditions are created for realization of their gift and abilities and engagement in creative arts. Our young compatriots displaying amazing skill in music and other arts perform in national and international contests and festivals.

All this also opens good opportunities to strengthen Turkmen-Russian contacts through the youth policy and encouragement of exchanges in creative arts.

The official visit of the Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation continues.