On the instruction of the President of Turkmenistan, the delegation of our country, headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the meeting of the European Intergovernmental Council, held in the Republic of Kazan (Tatarstan, Russian Federation) on April 29-30.

The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council is a supreme body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), an international economic union, established in 2015.

Speaking at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, the head of the delegation of Turkmenistan conveyed greetings and wished successful work to the forum participants on behalf of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and expressed his gratitude to the host side for the invitation and warm welcome. As noted, our country had participated in the meeting of the European Intergovernmental Council for the first time as a guest of honour, which is a landmark event reflecting mutual interest in establishing long-term multifaceted cooperation, understanding its prospects and opportunities.

It was emphasized that, despite the pandemic, last year the GDP in Turkmenistan grew by 5.9 percent, which indicates the stability of the national economy. The modern legislative framework created in recent years allows foreign business to feel confident and comfortable in the Turkmen market.

The wide support of the world community, including the UN, as well as other large international organizations, financial institution provided to the initiatives put forward by the President of Turkmenistan in the field of energy and transport promoted the stability of the economic development of our country. That provides the platform for building long-term, systemic multilateral cooperation in these areas.

The important point was also highlighted that our country is united with all the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union by close historical ties, long-term partnerships based on friendship, good neighborliness, equality and mutual respect. All this serves as a powerful additional factor for mutual rapprochement on understandable and open principles, forging a competent professional dialogue, for moving to the substantive development of directions and models of cooperation.

It was underlined that development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union could not only bring the parties mutual economic and commercial benefits, give new powerful impulses and incentives for development, but also contribute to the dynamic and high-quality course of economic processes in the Eurasian space, promote to creating additional conditions for the effective integration of our states into continental and world economic ties based on modern criteria.

In its foreign economic strategy, Turkmenistan relies on the principle of "open doors", equal and constructive business partnership. Therefore, the invitation to participate in this meeting is to become an important starting point in this process. Our country is always open for cooperation and is ready to provide the necessary conditions for its further development and expansion. In this regard, it was reaffirmed the willingness of Turkmenistan for constructive joint work.

Within the framework of the visit programme to Kazan, on April 30, head of the delegation of our country, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber Serdar Berdimuhamedov had a meeting with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin.

During the conversation, it was underlined the sincere interest of Turkmenistan and Russia in strengthening relations of friendship, good neighborliness and mutually beneficial partnership, which is based on progressive character both in the trade and economic sphere, and in the humanitarian and cultural areas. In this aspect, the significant role of the joint Intergovernmental Commission in the practical solution of issues of cooperation and the development of its promising directions was emphasized.

It was emphasized that the open, friendly political dialogue that has developed between the leaders of the two countries had become the main factor in the dynamic development of the Turkmen-Russian relations. A solid legal basis has been created for building up interstate partnership.

It was noted that the volume of foreign trade turnover of Turkmenistan with the Russian Federation last year amounted to about 1.380 billion US dollars.

The dynamic nature is inherent in cooperation between Turkmenistan and large subjects of the Russian Federation, such as the Republic of Tatarstan, Astrakhan region, the city of St. Petersburg, etc.

In the context of bilateral humanitarian cooperation, it was noted that various cultural events were regularly held in both countries, traditional educational contacts developed actively, and the number of Turkmen students studying at Russian universities grew with every passing year.

On the same day, in Kazan, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov.

As noted, fruitful bilateral contacts testified to the efficiency of the Turkmen-Russian cooperation. A solid package of documents signed between the two countries promoted to building up cooperation in a wide range of industries.

Among the priority areas of the Turkmen-Tatarstan partnership are the supply of automotive equipment, aircraft construction, shipbuilding, maintenance services, etc. Productive contacts have been established with PJSC KAMAZ, PJSC Tatneft, JSC Kazan Helicopter Plant, JSC Shipbuilding Corporation “Ak Bars”.

It was underlined the solid potential for the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres of the economy, and an increase in the volume of mutual trade.

Humanitarian ties invariably occupy a special place in relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.

According to President Rustam Minnikhanov Turkmenistan is a strategic partner for Tatarstan.

At the end of the meeting, the head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation presented the medal "100 years of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic" to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Within the framework of the visit to Kazan, members of the delegation of our country held bilateral meetings with Russian, including Tatarstan colleagues. Meeting participants discussed the prospects for cooperation in the trade, economic and banking spheres, oil and gas sector, agriculture, in the field of air and water transport, along the line of business structures.