Ï Outcomes of the meeting of the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation
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Outcomes of the meeting of the Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation

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Working visit of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Sochi, the Russian Federation on August 15, where he had an informal meeting with President Vladimir Putin, has confirmed the commitment of two countries to traditional relations of friendship and good neighbourliness, mutual intent to continue consolidating constructive interstate dialog that meets the goals of common wealth.

Relying on the years of experience in cooperation, Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation demonstrate the willingness to further improvement of peace-making basis of bilateral relations in the context of global sustainable development goals declared by the United Nations, the intent to give new stimuli for beneficial partnership, which has strategic character.

Welcoming high-ranking guest, the Head of Russia expressed the gratitude to Turkmen colleague for accept of the invitation to visit Sochi and have informal meeting for exchange of the opinions on condition and perspectives of development of Turkmen – Russian relations in economic and social spheres, humanitarian field, to discuss the cooperation in international arena where the positions of the sides are the same or similar.

Having expressed the gratitude to President Vladimir Putin for cordial welcome, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that Turkmenistan and Russian Federation are strategic partners and build their interstate relations on the principles of mutual respect.

In this regard, efficient activity of joint Intergovernmental Commission for realization of the plans of bilateral cooperation has been highlighted.

Taking the opportunity, the Head of Turkmenistan congratulated his Russian colleague on an excellent organization of the world football cup 2018, which was held on high level.

Having noted significant activity of the Head of the Russian Federation in international arena for the provision of stability and security, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also expressed the gratitude to President Vladimir Putin for personal contribution to the consolidation of friendship relations between our countries, having wished him great success in his important government activity and prosperity and wealth to the people of Russia.

After, the leaders of two countries exchanged the opinions on priority objectives of interstate partnership in its key directions in the context of practical realization of achieved agreements and future plans.

Considerable legal and regulatory framework of bilateral relations, which consists of more than 100 interstate and intergovernmental and more than 70 interdepartmental agreements, visually indicates the commitment of Turkmenistan and Russia to the course toward long-term cooperation.

Last year, it was supplemented by big package of important documents signed by the outcomes of the talks in Ashgabat under the official visit of President Vladimir Putin to our country, which were to support the improvement of beneficial relations in all directions.

Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Vladimir Putin confirmed the inviolability of Turkmen – Russian strategic partnership, having noted the importance of relevant Agreement signed by Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.

Such documents as the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in industry, agriculture, maritime transport, sports and tourism, the Programme of cooperation in 2018 -2020 between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Agreement between the Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Health Protection of the Russian Federation on cooperation in health protection sphere, the Memorandum of Understanding in cooperation in standardization and metrology between the General State Service «Türkmenstandartlary» (Turkmenistan) and the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (the Russian Federation), Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Ministry of Finances and Economy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Finances of the Russian Federation, which were signed under participation of the heads of the states, indicate the multidimensionality of bilateral cooperation.

Regarding the trade and economic partnership, it was mentioned that there are great opportunities for diversification and intensification of productive contacts, increment of the trade turnover volumes and expansion of the variety of goods and stimulation of business and investment activity.

In this case, considerable role is given to the activity of Intergovernmental Commission, Turkmen – Russian and Russian – Turkmen business councils as well as to joint business forums. At the same time, steadfast dynamics, which is inherent to direct cooperation between Turkmenistan and largest regions and constituencies of the Russian federation including the Republic of Tatarstan, Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk regions, Saint Petersburg and other, has been stated

The Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Administration Krasnodar region of the Russian federation on trade and economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation, the Agreement between the Hyakimlik of Mary (Turkmenistan) and the Administration of the Municipal Division of Orel city (Russian Federation) on establishment of fraternal relation between the cities of Mary and Orel indicates the expansion of such direct relations.

Relevant Intergovernmental Programme for 2017 – 2019 – some sort of the roadmap for three years period, which practically covers all directions of Turkmen – Russian partnership in this sphere including trade, industry, energy, agriculture, transport, high technologies, service sphere, etc. is also aimed at optimum realization of the potential of economic cooperation.

Integrated reform programmes and large infrastructural projects in Turkmenistan oriented to the industrialization of national economy, fundamental modernization of industrial sector and establishment of scientific based productions open wide opportunities for efficient consolidation of efforts in different spheres, for development of new forms of cooperation meeting modern realities.

All of these, including favourable investment climate, stimulates the interest of foreign including Russian business circles in perspective Turkmen market, where the number of Russian companies efficiently work for many years.

Transport sphere, which is one of basic segments of the world economy, is also priority vector of cooperation. As is known, using its favourable geographic and geopolitical location, Turkmenistan initiates and steadily implements large-scale projects for formation of multimodal transit and transport corridors of regional and continental significance.

Opening of new International Seaport in Turkmenbashy was an important step in this direction. In this aspect, the use of port infrastructure of both countries in Caspian Sea including ferry line between Turkmenbashy and Astrakhan seems to be very perspective.

Speaking of the cooperation between Turkmenistan and Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, it is worth to mention the opening of new modern school on May 18 this year, which was built in the village of Funtovo, Privolzhsk area of this region by Turkmenistan according to the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

This event became another excellent page in the history of development of traditional Turkmen – Russian humanitarian contacts, enrichment of the principles of good neighbourliness, which are invariably inherent to interstate relations.

Energy sphere that has strategic importance for both states, which are the world energy powers and have huge hydrocarbon resources, is among topical directions of bilateral cooperation.

Having outlined integrated modernization, increment of production and processing rates, diversification of the delivery routes of energy carriers to the world markets, creation of high technology petrochemical productions making ready competitive goods, training of highly qualified specialist as the utmost objectives, Turkmenistan is always open for beneficial cooperation with all interested foreign partners.

During current meeting in Sochi, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Vladimir Putin also spoke for further development of traditional collaboration in humanitarian sphere, which is an integral component of interstate relations, by the consolidation of fruitful educational, scientific and cultural relations. In this case, A. S. Pushkin secondary comprehensive school in Ashgabat as well as efficient contacts in high education sphere can be brought as visual example.

Cultural events like festivals, forums, exhibitions, Movie Days, concerts of the art masters, performance of circus artists and other events regularly organized in Turkmenistan and Russian Federation are the kind of the friendship and understanding bridges.

The cooperation in scientific and educational sphere, which is implemented on systematic and long-term base, is expanding every year. This is indicated by the Agreement on cooperation between the number of leading universities and scientific centres of Turkmenistan and Russia, which create good perspectives for scientific work, students exchange and formation of joint educational programmes and projects.

There are also good opportunities in sport sphere. The development of this field as well as the assertion of the healthy and active life style have priority importance in both countries. At the same time, favourable perspectives for cooperation and exchange of practice are open in the tourism sphere.

Having given high appraisal to the level and content of Turkmen – Russian dialog, the sides also shared the visions on the number of topical objectives of regional and global agenda, having highlighted the commitment of Turkmenistan and Russia to constructive partnership under the UN and other competent international organizations for the provision of universal peace, security and wealth.

Having focused on the collaboration in Caspian Sea, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Vladimir Putin highlighted the importance of the V Summit of the Heads of Caspian States in Aktau on August 12, which resulted in the signing of the Convention on Legal Status of Caspian Sea, which marked the beginning of new milestone in the history of relations of the coastal states.

The commitment of both countries to close cooperation in Caspian Sea based on the principles of good neighbourliness, equality, respect and interests of all Caspian states has been confirmed. Turkmenistan and Russia welcome and support the signing of multilateral agreements on cooperation in Caspian Sea in trade, economic and transport spheres and in other directions.

In this regard, the necessity of efficient implementation of the provisions of the Convention on Legal Status of Caspian Sea, for which the creation of five-sided mechanism of political consultations under the aegis of foreign ministers has been stipulated, was mentioned. As is known, on his speech at the Summit, the Head of Turkmenistan suggested to entrust the foreign ministers of the Caspian states to review the issues of practical realization of relative provision in near future.

The signing of other important documents including intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in trade, economic and transport spheres initiated by Turkmen side, which are to give new impulse and content to the cooperation in Caspian Sea, indicated the efficiency of the V Caspian Summit.

The proposals of the Leader of the Nation on the first Caspian economic forum in 2019, which is to be permanent platform for multilateral dialog with the participation of the governments, business and academic circles, representatives of international organizations, as well as on the drafting of the agreements related to scientific studies and search and rescue works in Caspian Sea are aimed at the achievement of these goals.

Having touched upon the subjects of the session of the Council of the heads of the states of the Commonwealth of Independent States in September, which is co-chaired by the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan this year, Turkmen leader highlighted that our country would chair the Commonwealth in 2019 and would continue supporting the development of constructive multi-vector partnership in the CIS, which meets common interests.

Cooperation under the Commonwealth of Independent States has always been and remains one of priority directions of foreign course of Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted. Being an associated member of the CIS, our neutral country makes real contribution to the development of interstate cooperation that has considerable potential and capabilities in different spheres.

Turkmen side intends to make all necessary the efficiency of activity of the statutory bodies and profile structures of the Commonwealth aimed at specific result for designated period under its coming chairing. For these purposes, Turkmenistan has developed the draft Concept using positive practice of the chairing of the country in 2012.

In this context, it is remarkable that in 2012 and 2016, Turkmen cities of Mary and Dashoguz were announced as the cultural capitals of the Common wealth. The events held in these cities under this honourable status were considerable contribution of Turkmenistan in the development of cultural dialog in the CIS, enrichment of traditional humanitarian relations, in protection and popularisation of valuable historical and cultural heritage of the nations of the CIS countries.

Regularly participating in various events under the CIS, our country also hosted important meetings and forums of the CIS inducing the session of the Council of the heads of the Governments and the Council of the heads of the states.

At the same time, Turkmenistan invariably occupies initiative position in the objectives of cooperation, paying great attention to the realization of existing multidimensional potential for successful consolidation of the efforts in such priority directions as trade and economic spheres. Transport and communication sector, energy, humanitarian and cultural filed as well as ecology, sports, tourism, etc.