President Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to the Russian Federation to participate in the informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, traditionally held on the eve of the New Year.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met by officials at Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg.

In the afternoon, the President of Turkmenistan went to the Ice Palace of the Igora Winter Sports Games Complex. This large compound is a multifunctional venue aimed for competitions and training of professional and amateur athletes, active recreation, as well as for hosting events of various levels.

In the foyer of the Ice Palace, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The participants of the Summit were invited to the Olympic Hall of the Ice Palace, where the informal CIS Summit took place.

Opening the meeting, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin once again warmly greeted his foreign colleagues, expressing his gratitude to all for accepting the invitation to visit St. Petersburg to participate in the informal Summit.

During the Summit the results of the Commonwealth’s activities for the current year were analyzed, priority areas of cooperation and tasks for the upcoming period were outlined. The positive indicators of economic partnership were noted with satisfaction. Current issues of the regional and global agenda were also discussed.

It was emphasized that all these years the Commonwealth countries have been consistently following the course of equal mutually beneficial cooperation based on unchanging goodwill, mutual respect and trust.

This Summit has become yet another confirmation of the common determination of the CIS countries to bring fruitful cooperation to a new level.

Undoubtedly, the trade and economic sphere is a priority area of partnership in the Commonwealth. Turkmenistan pays great attention to deepening and diversifying fruitful ties in this field. This is confirmed by the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States adopted at the Summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Ashgabat in October 2019.

This conceptual document was developed upon the initiative of the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The key principles of this Declaration are laid down in the CIS Economic Development Strategy for the period till 2030.  Among the priorities of partnership in this regard emphasized by Turkmenistan are such areas as transport, fuel and energy complex, communications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovations and technology.

Developing mutual trade, increasing trade turnover, strengthening long-term ties in the industrial sector, digital transformation, stimulating investment and business activity are the key objectives.

The humanitarian sphere has been and remains an important area of cooperation in the CIS format.

President Vladimir Putin invited the CIS heads of state to take part in the upcoming celebrations in Moscow next year on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was emphasized that during the severe years of war our peoples demonstrated exceptional heroism and courage on the fronts and in the rear, and the Commonwealth countries sacredly honor this unforgettable feat.

The President of the Russian Federation also took the opportunity to convey to all citizens of the CIS countries heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the coming New Year.

An informal dinner was held in honor of the distinguished guests on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation.

At the end of the program of the working visit to the Russian Federation, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, from where he left for his Homeland.

The head of state was met by officials at the International Airport of Ashgabat.