President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov came to the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation on a two-day visit.

President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev and Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov and the cabinet ministers of Tatarstan greeted the Turkmen leader at the Kazan International Airport decorated with the national flags of Turkmenistan, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan.

The boy and girl dressed in the national costumes presented the bouquets of flowers to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Turkmen students of the institutions of higher education of the Republic of Tatarstan cordially greeted the Turkmen leader at the Airport. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mintimer Shaymiev talked to the students about their studies and living conditions. In conclusion of the conversation the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan wished the students accomplishments and success in gaining knowledge.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mintimer Shaymiev arrived to the Kazan Kremlin located in the historical part of the city, in the very heart of Kazan. The capital of Tatarstan cordially and hospitably welcomed the Turkmen leader. The streets on the way of the President’s cortege were decorated the national flags of Turkmenistan, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan as the symbols of unbreakable friendship.

Mintimer Shaymiev invited the President of Turkmenistan to enter the Fireplace Hall, where the talks were held.

Cordially greeting Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Mintimer Shaymiev said that this visit was regarded in Tatarstan as a new step towards enhancing and expanding co-operation with fraternal Turkmenistan that Tatarstan considered a very promising partner as well as a true friend.

Thanking the leader of Tatarstan for the heartfelt welcome and hospitality Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that developing the constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation Turkmenistan intended to enhance the direct reliable contacts with its largest regions. The Turkmen leader said that in this regard the relationships between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan vividly exemplified effective mutually advantageous partnership based on the successful experience and profound potential of co-operation as well as the centuries-old historical ties, common cultural and spiritual traditions of the Turkmen and the Tatar peoples. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited Mintimer Shaymiev to pay a visit to Turkmenistan. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.

During the talks held in the friendly and constructive atmosphere the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan considered the prospects and opportunities of bilateral co-operation specifying the spheres of trade and economy and industry, the fuel and energy sector, agriculture as the priority fields. The sides paid special attention to enhancement of the traditional humanitarian contacts, first of all the spheres of education and science calling for intensifying the fruitful contacts among cultural workers and artists.

The n the governmental delegations of the two countries joined in the talks.

Cordially greeting the Turkmen honorary guest and the members of the Turkmen governmental delegation Mintimer Shaymiev thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for accepting the invitation to visit the Republic of Tatarstan. The Tatar leader said that the visit of the representative Turkmen delegation was regarded in the country as a token of friendship and respect to the Tatar people. Mintimer Shaymiev emphasized that the meeting had became a landmark in the history of the bilateral relations making it dynamic and offering a new vector of development.

The leader of the Republic of Tatarstan expressed belief that bilateral co-operation based on the profound potential and, first of all, the goodwill of the leaders and peoples of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan would be successful. Similarity of national economies with the fuel and energy sector as a strategic sector would promote this process.

Mintimer Shaymiev said that modern Turkmenistan was known worldwide as the state, whose leader resolutely implemented the open door policy and the progressive reforms aimed at the country’s fundamental renovation, social and economic and cultural advance and successful integration into the global system. The leader of Tatarstan emphasized that this policy stood as the guarantor of developing and intensifying Turkmen-Tatar partnership. The fact that the Turkmen leader always backed his words by the concrete deeds and suited the actions to the initiatives was highly appreciated in Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaymiev emphasized. This position had won the Turkmen leader and his country the recognition and high prestige worldwide.

The Tatar leader focused on the fields of co-operation the partners intended to intensify, in particular the humanitarian sphere. In this regard Mintimer Shaymiev informed of Tatarstan’s intention to increase the quota for Turkmen students at the institutions of higher education. The Tatar leader said that the vast opportunities for bilateral co-operation were provided in the sphere of science that conformed to the modern realities. Reaffirming the willingness to expand collaboration with Turkmenistan the President of the Republic of Tatarstan gave the floor to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Thanking Mintimer Shaymiev for inviting to pay a visit to the Republic of Tatarstan and heartfelt welcome Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the wishes of peace, wellbeing and happiness to the people of friendly Tatarstan. The Turkmen leader congratulated the people of Tatarstan on the well-deserved victory – the decision to hold the 2013 World Summer Student Games in Kazan and wished success in hosting the large sport forum.

Touching upon the issues of bilateral co-operation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated with satisfaction the high dynamics of partnership established between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, and in this context intensification of the fruitful trade and economic and cultural contacts with Tatarstan. The Turkmen leader said that President Mintimer Shaymiev, who attach paramount importance to development and enhancement of the relations between the two fraternal peoples profoundly contributed to the process. That was vividly proved by the exchange of the regular visits of the high-ranking delegations and the positive outcomes of the bilateral talks.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued that the reforms initiated in Turkmenistan and aimed at diversifying national economy, first of all, establishing new profit-making sectors and manufacturing a broad range of high-quality and export-oriented products provided the vast opportunities for mutually advantageous partnership, the profound and multi-aspect potential of which was out of question. In this context the Turkmen leader focused on the prospects of collaboration in oil production and processing, petrochemical industry, machine building and put emphasis on Turkmenistan’ interest in co-operating with such companies as the Kazan motor works, the Kazan helicopter plant and the Kazan ship-building yards, Nizhnekamskshina and other large-scale enterprises of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that co-operation in agriculture, food and processing industries was deemed very promising. The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan stood ready to co-operate in the agricultural sector in the bilateral format as well as in the framework of the multilateral agreements that Turkmenistan and Tatarstan participated in. In particular, Tatarstan’s participation in the Forum of CIS Agricultural Producers in Ashgabat in 2009 the initiative of which Turkmenistan had put forward at the recent unofficial summit in St. Petersburg could be another good opportunity for expanding agricultural partnership.

Briefing on the reforms implemented in Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the ultimate goal was to improve the welfare of the Turkmen people, to create the favourable conditions for effective labour and worthy life of the people. In this regard the President mentioned the project on creation of the Avaza national tourism zone on the ecologically pure Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea as of paramount economical and social importance. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the Tatar partners to collaborate in the large-scale project.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov specified the sphere of healthcare as a priority of bilateral co-operation. Noting that Turkmenistan attached priority importance to training young highly qualified specialists the Turkemn leader thanked the Tatar partners for assistance in achieving this goal. The President said that Turkmenistan was interested in increasing the quota of Turkmen students at the educational establishments in the Republic of Tatarstan.

Touching upon the prospects of intensifying collaboration in such important sphere as science Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov called for establishing the direct close contacts among the universities of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan. Noting with satisfaction that the Tatar scientists regularly participated in the international forums and conferences held in Ashgabat Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov suggested that the scientists of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan should work on the joint research projects covering such important aspects as high technologies, applied developments in energy saving and the use of renewable energy sources. The historical and archeological aspects were of particular importance. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put emphasis on the significance on strengthening the cultural ties and good traditions of friendship and mutual understanding maintained by the peoples of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan from ancient times.

In conclusion the Turkmen leader expressed the best wishes to Mintimer Shaymiev and the people of friendly Tatarstan.

During the talks the sides considered in detail the steps towards intensifying strategic collaboration in the priority fields. Thus, to achieve the goals of the programmes on the re-establishment of the Academy of Sciences in Turkmenistan and modernization of national economy and the industrial sector in particular Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov informed of Turkmenistan’s interest in co-operating in the sphere of innovation techniques. Mintimer Shaymiev said that Tatarstan stood ready to offer Turkmenistan its potential and expertise in machine building including aircraft industry. The Tatar leader said that Tatarstan was interested in importing Turkmen textiles.

Emphasis was put on the necessity to maintain close collaboration in the framework of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian commission. The meetings of the groups for co-operation between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan in the framework of the commission were scheduled for this year.

Mintimer Shaymiev informed of Tatarstan’s intention to open the mission in Turkmenistan and suggested opening the mission of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Tatarstan. The sides noted that these steps would provide the new opportunities for intensifying mutually advantageous co-operation.

The ceremony of signing the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan on trade and economic, scientific and technical and cultural co-operation was held in the Hall of Receptions. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev affixed the signatures to the bilateral document.

Upon concluding the ceremony the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan hold the brief press conference.

Emphasizing that he was very proud and glad to receive the President of Turkmenistan in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev said that this visit was a token of profound respect to the people of Tatarstan. The Tatar leader said that Tatarstan supported and welcomed the policy of independent neutral Turkmenistan that played a key role in maintaining peace and security in the strategic region. To a larger extent Turkmenistan’s key role in Central Asia stood as a contributing factor of maintaining global security

Touching upon the outcomes of the top level talks Mintimer Shaymiev emphasized that the constructive exchange of views had taken place. The Tatar leader said that the important agreements had been achieved and the countries would follow this way in the interest of the two peoples.

The Tatar leader focused with satisfaction on the indissolubility of the centuries-old spiritual and cultural ties between the two nations that were enhanced for the common benefit in the new historical epoch. Touching upon the priority trends of bilateral partnership including the fuel and energy sector, in particular oil refining and petrochemistry, Mintimer Shaymiev put emphasis on the significance of humanitarian co-operation as the crucial factor for bringing the peoples together.

Speaking at the press conference Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the talks had been held in the atmosphere of friendship and mutual understanding typical of the bilateral relationships. Co-operation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan was actively developed and dynamically intensified in all the fields, the Turkmen leader said noting that Turkmenistan valued the bilateral relations and confidence between the two peoples.

Touching upon the outcomes of the top level talks Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the agenda included the approaches to development of trade and economic co-operation, fuel and energy partnership and intensification of the cultural and humanitarian contacts.

The Turkmen leader said that the agreement to expand effective collaboration, in particular oil refining and petrochemical industries, meeting the mutual interests had been reached during the talks.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the opportunities of establishing co-operation among private producers of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan were a focus of the talks. The Turkemn leader said that endeavouring to create the favourable conditions for foreign companies operating in the country Turkmenistan was interested in expanding Turkmen business abroad. These endeavours would make Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan financially and economically attractive for the business circles in the two countries. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Tatarstan’s expertise in machine building would be of particular interest to Turkmenistan that implemented the programmes on technology modernization of the industrial sector.

Co-operation in the sphere of education and science, and in this regard intensification of the contacts among the research centres and the institutions of higher education of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan creating a broad field for joint activities were put in the forefront. The Turkmen leader focused on the significance of expanding the cultural contacts between the two peoples bound with the common spiritual traditions. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan and Tatarstan had accumulated the profound positive experience of co-operation in archeology, history and ethnography, the artistic groups of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan took part in the international festivals and forums reaffirming the partners’ willingness to provide every possible support to the regular bilateral contacts in the sphere of science, culture and art.

In conclusion Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tatarstan had the profound potential of co-operation in the trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres and the approaches to effective implementation of this potential was a focus of the top level talks. Thanking President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the heartfelt welcome and hospitality expressed belief that the outcomes of the top level talks would promote bringing the partners together and strengthening mutually advantageous co-operation.

Upon concluding the office part of the bilateral talks President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev made an excursion to the Kazan Kremlin.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mintimer Shaymiev visited the Annunciation Cathedral and the Kul-Sharif Mosque. At the church and the mosque the clergymen cordially greeted the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan. They told about the history of these temples and their role in strengthening the foundations of peace and unity, stability and spiritual development of the Republic of Tatarstan. The people, tourists, newlyweds cordially greeted the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan, who wished them happiness and welfare.

Then the President’s cortege headed for the Kazan State University, where Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Nail Valeev and Chancellor of the Kazan State University Miaksyum Salakhov greeted the honourary guest.

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin made presentation of the 2013 World Student Games noting that the choice of the capital of Tatarstan testified to the international recognition of Russia’s Olympic Movement and development of physical culture and sport in the country.

The souvenir from famous Rubin FC was presented to the Turkmen leader as a token of profound respect to the President of Turkmenistan, who attached paramount importance to developing the national sport movement.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the sportsmen new accomplishments. Then the Turkmen leader made an excursion to the memorial auditory where L. Tolstoy and V. Ulianov had attended the lectures. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wrote an entry to the Book of Honorary Guests.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the members of the Turkmen delegation entered the assembly hall where the ceremony of awarding the President of Turkmenistan the diploma of the Honoured Doctor of the Kazan State University took place. The scientists, the teachers and students of the Kazan State University, numerous guests and journalists greeted the Turkmen leader with the storm of applause.

Opening the ceremony Chancellor Miaksyum Salakhov on behalf of those present cordially greeted the honorary guest and said that the scientific community of Tatarstan had gathered there on the remarkable occasion – at the recent meeting the academic council of the Kazan State University had taken the decision to award President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the high title Honoured Doctor of the Kazan State University as a token of recognition of the Turkmen leader’s services and outstanding contribution to development of education and science, democratic development and international co-operation.

The Chancellor of the Kazan State University briefed on the landmarks of the Turkmen leader’s life. Focusing on the Turkmen leader’s services Miaksyum Salakhov said that the large-scale progressive reforms offering the country a powerful incentive to dynamically integrate to the global economic system and win the profound worldwide recognition were implemented in Turkmenistan under leadership of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Speaking about Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s outstanding contribution to enhancement and development of the intergovernmental dialogue, in particular between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan, the Chancellor noted that the humanitarian contacts, in the sphere of education and science first of all, stood as a major component of Turkmen-Tatar co-operation

One of the best students of the Kazan State University greeted Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on behalf of the youth of Tatarstan and noted that this day would go down in history as an event of paramount significance for the Kazan University as well as Tatarstan that regarded Turkmenistan as a dependable long-term partner. Those present at the meeting focused on the necessity of establishing the closer contacts and put forward the initiative to hold the IV CIS International Forum of Students and Youth Organisations. The students of the Turkmen State University were invited to participate in the Forum. On behalf of the students of the Kazan State University the special diploma was awarded to the President of Turkmenistan as a token of profound respect to the Turkmen leader’s reform policy and personal contribution to development of science.

Addressing the audience Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude for the confidence and high appreciation of the science and education reforms implemented in Turkmenistan. The Turkmen leader emphasized that he considered it an honour to receive the title of Honoured Doctor of one of the most authoritative and largest educational and research centres of the Russian Federation and regarded this fact as recognition of the achievements of Turkmen science.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that science and education ranked among the key factor of development of a society, the welfare of any state.

The Turkmen leader noted that being aware of that the people of Turkmenistan implemented the large-scale reforms in the sphere of education and science, first of all. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the national policy in this field was based on introduction of the high standards of education, support and encouragement of applied and fundamental research, computerization of educational and research establishments throughout the country, an access to the internet, expansion of international co-operation in the sphere of education and science.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that nowadays Turkmenistan established the fruitful contacts with the colleagues in Europe, Asia and America, regularly held the international scientific conferences and workshops, symposiums and forums that involved the envoys from Tatarstan.

Putting emphasis on the importance of exchanging the scientific and technical advances and the existing profound potential in this important field Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put forward the proposal to establish the direct contacts between the Turkemn State University and the Kazan State University. The Turkmen leader mentioned designing the techniques of using renewable energy sources, producing technological materials from silicon, partnership in developing the humanities among the very promising fields.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that this co-operation was of paramount importance for developing the fundamental and experimental sciences, the new trends of research. The Turkmen leader noted that partnership between the leading institutions of higher education would play an important role in mutual enrichment of cultures, enhancement of friendship and fraternity between the two peoples.

Upon concluding the meeting Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the teachers and students of the Kazan State University successful studies and impressive accomplishments and scientific achievements.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mintimer Shaymiev visited the Kazan International Horse Complex, where Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov and Director of the Kazan Horse Complex Ravil Gataullin greeted the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan.

An open-air exposition of the machines and equipment produced in Tatarstan had been arranged at the Complex. The exposition included motor cars, minibuses, agricultural machines, drilling machines, specialized equipment, KAMAZ dump trucks and tractors, etc. The aircrafts and pilotless vehicles were of particular interest to the Turkmen leader. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov discussed the opportunities of procuring a consignment of helicopters to Turkmenistan

Then the guests entered the building of the Kazan Horse Complex that housed the exhibition of Tatarstan’s economic and industrial potential. A broad range of the goods produced by the largest enterprises of Tatarstan including the potential partner of Turkmen oil industry workers – the Tatneft Public Corporation was presented at the exhibition. A video film about the company’s activities and expertise and the prospects of co-operation with Turkmenistan was demonstrated to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Turkmen leader took keen interest in the exhibition that vividly presented the trends of development of various sectors of national economy including food and light industries, machine building, etc. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the minister of textile industry of Turkmenistan to establish co-operation with the Tatar partners in manufacturing high-quality goods from sheep’s wool.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mintimer Shaymiev watched the horse races held on occasion of the visit of the honorary guests – connoisseurs and admirers of race horses.

The winners of the horse competitions received the prizes and presents in honour of Turkmen horse breeders and on occasion of the Turkmen leader’s visit.

In the evening an official reception was given in honour Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on behalf of President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaymiev. During the reception the leaders of Turkmenistan and Tatarstan presented the speeches.