President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a telephone conversation with President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Cordially greeting each other, the leaders of the two states expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss the issues of the Turkmen-Russian relations, built on the equal basis and developed on the principles of mutual respect, longevity and strategic partnership. Underlining the constructive character of the interstate dialogue, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Russia specified the key areas of the bilateral cooperation, including in the trade and economic sphere, emphasizing the considerable potential for mutually beneficial efforts in various sectors. In this regard, the joint Intergovernmental Commission and regular business contacts play an important role. Thus, a regular meeting of the High-Level Group on Trade and Investment Support under the auspices of the above-mentioned commission was held in Ashgabat last week. The work of the group is designed to facilitate the implementation of the agreements achieved by the parties and diversification of the Turkmen-Russian partnership with a long-term perspective. The close interaction between our country and the largest regions of Russia, including the Republic of Tatarstan, the Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk regions, the city of St. Petersburg and other subjects of the Russian Federation successfully develops. The leaders of the two states underlined the importance of the traditional Turkmen-Russian humanitarian dialogue, the fruitful ties in the field of education and science, culture and arts. Wide opportunities are opened up for the further intensification of the contacts in the field of sports and tourism. During the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged the views on a number of important issues of the regional and global agenda. The leaders of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation reaffirmed the willingness of the two countries to strengthen the effective cooperation in the framework of the authoritative international organizations and structures that meet the goals of the universal peace and prosperity. In this regard, it was underlined the importance of the adoption of the Resolution on Extending the Mandate of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, adopted during the recent meeting of the UN Security Council. This document testifies to the UN support to the major infrastructural projects on the development of Afghanistan, including the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline, TAP transmission lines and fiber-optic communication lines, as well as the Kerki-Imamnazar-Akin railway - the initial link of the steel corridor Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan. It was emphasized that neutral Turkmenistan makes a significant contribution into the international efforts for the peaceful revival of the neighboring state, its involvement into the positive regional and interregional integration processes. During the conversation, the Turkmen leader expressed the hope that the people of the Russian Federation would make the right decision at the presidential elections on March 18. Taking the opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited RF President Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to Turkmenistan. At the conclusion of the telephone conversation, the leaders of the two states reaffirmed the continuous commitment of Turkmenistan and Russia to the traditional ties of friendship and fruitful cooperation, and addressed the best wishes to each other and the peoples of the both countries.