Today, in the morning, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov has left for the Russian Federation with an official visit. Officials saw the head of the state off in the Ashgabat international airport.

This visit has become the next step on the path of further all-round development of the constructive interstate dialogue, which bears a character of strategic partnership and principles of equal mutually beneficial cooperation based upon traditions of friendship and mutual goodwill.

Having made a flight to Moscow, the presidential airplane landed in the Vnukovo-2interntional airport, where on the occasion of the high guest, state flags of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation were raised on the flagpoles and the Guard of honour was lined. In the airport, officials welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Here, an official ceremony took place to welcome the high guest. The commander of the Gard of honour solemnly reports. State hymns of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation play.

The state delegation of our country, which arrived in Moscow a day earlier, also took part in the ceremony.

The solemn march of soldiers of the Guard of honour completed the ceremony.

In the first half of the day, the head of Turkmenistan headed to the Grand Kremlin Palace. Here, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Having exchanged friendly greetings, heads of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation had their photos taken against the background of state flags of the two countries.

Further, Turkmen-Russian high-level talks in the face-to-face format followed.

Having welcomed the high guest, President Vladimir Putin noted that President Serdar Berdimuhamedov makes his first foreign visit to Russia. It once again underlines a special character of bilateral relations, which thanks to his predecessor at the highest state post –Gurbanguly Malikguliyevich Berdimuhamedov, have been brought to the true strategic level.

Having marked that today a very important document concerning development of interstate relations will be signed, the Russian leader with satisfaction stated that in spite of all the external difficulties, for the first quarter of the current year, the bilateral goods turnover has increased by 45 per cent. And this is a very serious advancement.

As President Vladimir Putin said, recently we have marked jubilee dates, including the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In this connection, the head of Russia underlined that relations between the two countries, which are developed in all areas, in fact, not formally, but by essence, are strategic.

Having pointed out that they are glad to see the President of Turkmenistan in Russia, President Vladimir Putin also conveyed his best regards to his good and kind friend –Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Having expressed his gratitude to the leader of the friendly country for the invitation to visit the Russian Federation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that it is his first visit to Russia as the head of the state.

Having availed of the opportunity, the President of Turkmenistan congratulated President Vladimir Putin and in his person, all the people of the friendly country with the upcoming Day of Russia and wished peace, wellbeing and progress.

This year, the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation is marked. All these years the interstate dialogue has been developed successfully in a wide range of areas. The current year the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the Ashgabat Declaration on friendship and cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation is also marked. This document has become an important landmark in the history of bilateral relations based on mutual respect, trust, and mutual interest and facilitated their development.

In this regard, availing of the given opportunity, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated President Vladimir Putin with these jubilee dates and thanked him for his personal contribution to the development and strengthening of Turkmen-Russian cooperation. Having expressed his acknowledgment to the Russian leader for the warm welcome and hospitality, the head of Turkmenistan also conveyed him warm greetings from Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Having thanked for his kind words, President Vladimir Putin noted that within the framework of the present visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation, a great and active work is carried out. As known, on the day before, bilateral meetings at the level of members of the Governments took place. Speaking of it, the Russian leader expressed confidence that besides the Declaration being signed today, all the complex of joint work will serve the cause of development of interstate relations.

Further, during the talks, the head of Turkmenistan underlined the high level of interstate political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation based on the strategic partnership. Up to date, 288 international documents have been signed between the two countries. In this connection, the Agreement on friendship and cooperation and Agreement on strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation serve their basis.

Having touched upon the topic of trade and economic cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov marked that Russia is one of the large trade partners of Turkmenistan. Economic cooperation concerns not only energy but also industry, transport, infrastructure construction and other spheres.

Today, Turkmenistan buys not only a great number of vehicles, marine and aviation equipment from the Russian Federation, but also provides an opportunity for companies of Russia to take an active part in implementation of large economic projects in our country.

Joint activities in the cultural and humanitarian sphere are one of the main areas of bilateral cooperation. First of all, it concerns spheres of education, culture and health care.

Partnership relations with regions and subjects of the Russian Federation also take an important place in interstate cooperation. Here as a concrete example for it, one can cite successful cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan, Saint Petersburg, Astrakhan oblast and other regions of the Russian Federation.

The inter-parliamentary relations were also outlined among key vectors of partnership. In this area, fruitful contacts between deputies of the Mejlis of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and members of the Federation Council, deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation have been established.

At that, successful organization of the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the States of Central Asia and the Russian Federation and the Dialogue of Women of the States of Central Asia and the Russian Federation, which took place in Ashgabat on May 12-13, this year, was also pointed out. The inter-parliamentary forum presented a good opportunity for closer cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries.

Having underlined that Turkmenistan attaches great attention to cooperation with the Russian Federation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited President Vladimir Putin to visit our country with an official visit at any convenient time for him.

The invitation was accepted with gratitude by the Russian leader.

During the talks, the sides confirmed their adherence to the deepening of Turkmen-Russian strategic partnership.

Further, the awarding ceremony of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov the state award of the Russian Federation –Order of Friendship took place in the Malachite Foyer of the Grand Kremlin Palace.

In accordance with the Decree of President Vladimir Putin, this high award was given to the head of Turkmenistan for his great contribution in the strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries.

Having announced this decision, the Russian leader underlined the service of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in development of friendly, true close partnership interstate relations. President Vladimir Putin marked that the head of Turkmenistan even earlier before his election to this post, at different state posts, personally took part in preparation and realization of a number of joint initiatives and important agreements.

As the head of Russian said, as co-chairman of the joint Inter-governmental commission, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was actively engaged in practical issues of development of bilateral trade and economic relations. Having congratulated the head of Turkmenistan with the award, the Russian leader wished him further successes in his activities at the highest state post for the benefit of sustainable and stable development of the country, ensuring of wellbeing of its citizens.

In the solemn atmosphere, to the applauds of the present, President Vladimir Putin handed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov the Order of Friendship.

Addressing the Russian leader, the head of Turkmenistan noted that it is a great honour for him to be presented with this high award, which he considers as a token of respect for our country.

Relying upon a firm basis of friendship, good neighbourhood and deep historical relations, Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation steadily strengthen the inter-state dialogue and confidently build joint plans and programs for cooperation in economy, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and in many other spheres. In their relations, our countries see clear goals and are ready for their achievement. We have all possibilities for it.

Let this high award become another symbol of inviolability of strategic Turkmen –Russian partnership, friendship, good neighbourhood and cooperation of our peoples and states, the head of Turkmenistan underlined at the end of his words of gratitude.

Then, the signing ceremony of the bilateral document took place in the Malachite Foyer.

To the applause of those present, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Vladimir Putin signed the Declaration on deepening the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.

It should also be noted that during the visit, members of the Government delegation of Turkmenistan held meetings and negotiations with Russian colleagues in Moscow, during which topical issues and prospects for bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed. As a result, a large package of documents was signed.

Among them are documents concerning cooperation in the economic sphere, in particular, the financial and banking sector. It is the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on prevention, detection and suppression of doubtful financial operations of participants of foreign economic relations and the Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Central Bank of Turkmenistan and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in the field of banking supervision.

A number of documents are called to facilitate development of bilateral cooperation in the communications, transport and logistics spheres. Among them are the Memorandum of mutual understanding between “Türkmenaragatnaşyk” Agency at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of communications and information technologies; Memorandum of mutual understanding between the Transport and Communications Agency at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of transport and transit; Memorandum of mutual understanding between “Türkmendemirýollary” Agency of the Transport and Communications Agency at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and “Russian Railways” Joint Stock Company; Memorandum of cooperation in international and transit goods transportation between “Türkmenistanyň Ulag-logistika merkezi” Joint Stock Company and “RZD Logistics” JSC.

The Agreement on cooperation between the Turkmen state university named after Makhtumkuli and the Federal state budget educational establishment of higher education “Astrakhan state university”; Memorandum of scientific cooperation between the scientific production centre of the Turkmen agricultural institute and the Federal state budget research institute “Federal research centre for rice”; Agreement on scientific and research cooperation between the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Environmental Protection Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment Protection of Turkmenistan and All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Melioration named after A.N. Kostyakov are aimed at intensification of fruitful cooperation in the spheres of education and science.

The strengthening of mutually beneficial relations in agriculture is called to facilitate the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of plant quarantine.

Besides it, the Memorandum of cooperation in the construction sector between the Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan and Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation was signed.

Among the documents signed are also the Plan of action for realization of the Agreement between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in sports for 2022–2024.

Cooperation between neighbouring regions of two countries also got a new impulse. So, the agreement between khyakimlik of Turkmenbashi city of Turkmenistan and Astrakhan city municipal administration of the Russian Federation on establishment of brotherly relations between Turkmenbashi and Astrakhan cities and the Agreement between khyakimlik of Balkan region (Turkmenistan) and the Government of the Astrakhan oblast (Russian Federation) on maintenance of international and foreign economic relations in the spheres of trade and economy, scientific and technical, social and cultural and humanitarian areas were signed.

Representatives of Turkmen business also held a meeting with their Russian partners. By its outcome, the Contract on cooperation between a chain of supermarkets “Halk market” (Turkmenistan) and “Rusagro” Agricultural Holding (Russia), aimed at intensification of bilateral economic relations, including those in the field of food sphere by ways of business circles.

Thus, contractual and legal basis of interstate cooperation, along with the Declaration on deepening the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, was supplemented with a large package of 15 documents, which cover a wide range of areas and confirm commitment of Turkmenistan and Russia to mutually beneficial long-term cooperation.

At the end of the signing ceremony, the heads of the two states addressed the representatives of the mass media.

Commenting on the results of the summit, President Vladimir Putin noted the substantive nature of the negotiations, which took place in a businesslike, friendly atmosphere, and emphasized the truly partnership and mutually beneficial nature of interstate cooperation.

This year is significant for bilateral relations, the Russian leader said. April marked the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, as well as the 20^th anniversary of the signing of the fundamental Treaty between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan on Friendship and Cooperation, which serves as a solid foundation for the entire complex of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

The Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership, which has just been signed, sets out the priorities of joint work for the future in the political, trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian fields, in the spere of security, including biological and informational one.

In this context, President Vladimir Putin noted that Russia is one of the main economic partners of Turkmenistan. Last year, the bilateral trade turnover amounted to $ 865 million, and by the end of the first quarter of this year, mutual trade has increased by another 45 percent.

The bilateral Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation is working productively on the diversification of commodity and investment exchanges and investment opportunities. Not so long ago, its co-chairman from the Russian side visited Ashgabat to discuss promising joint projects and expand the practice of using national currencies in mutual settlements between the two countries.

One of the key sectors of the interstate partnership is traditionally energy, the head of Russia said, noting that special attention was paid to this topic today. Both sides expressed interest in establishing cooperation between relevant departments, in supporting initiatives of the business community aimed at continuing the implementation of mutually beneficial initiatives.

In this regard, President Vladimir Putin mentioned, in particular, that Gazprom cooperates with Turkmengaz State Concern to organize the export of Turkmen gas under a long-term contract providing for the possibility of Russia’s purchases of blue fuel in Turkmenistan.

LUKOIL is negotiating the terms of participation as an operator of Dostluk Oil and Gas Condensate Field Development Project in the Caspian Sea.

Tatneft has been successfully operating in Turkmenistan for a long time, engaged in the repair and maintenance of oil wells. The introduction of modern Russian technologies has significantly increased the productivity of oil fields and created new jobs.

Other major Russian energy and industrial companies are also showing interest in implementing projects in Turkmenistan.

As the head of Russia further noted, such an important topic as the further development of industrial cooperation was also touched upon during the negotiations. It was stated that a number of major joint projects are being successfully implemented. Among them is the construction of a multipurpose cargo ship for Turkmenistan by the United Shipbuilding Corporation. Two high-speed passenger ships have already been handed over to the Turkmen side, and there are plans to build several cargo and passenger ferries.

Russian Transmashholding has manufactured two diesel locomotives for the railways of Turkmenistan, and in March a contract was signed for five more such machines. Deliveries of KAMAZ products to the Turkmen market are expanding: about two thousand trucks were delivered last year, a new training center of the company was opened in Turkmenbashi city.

President Vladimir Putin also highlighted that both sides expressed readiness to implement new large-scale initiatives in the construction field. By the way, the Russian company, Vozrozhdenie has been successfully operating in Turkmenistan, which has built road transport infrastructure facilities totaling more than $ 1.5 billion over the past 10 years, and is now erecting a system of self-protective structures near Ashgabat. This work is being completed.

It is gratifying that Russia and Turkmenistan are cooperating in partnership in the fight against the spread of coronavirus infection, the Russian leader continued. Last year, 330 thousand sets of Sputnik V vaccine were delivered to the Turkmen side, in January of this year – 800 thousand doses of Sputnik Light, 300 thousand of which were free of charge.

President Vladimir Putin also noted that he and the President of Turkmenistan agreed to further promote the comprehensive development of bilateral humanitarian contacts between the citizens of our countries, to encourage scientific, educational, cultural and sports exchanges.

Russian Federation is grateful to the leadership of Turkmenistan for the careful attitude to the Russian language and Russian culture. The Joint Russian-Turkmen Pushkin General Education School has been successfully operating in Ashgabat for 20 years, one of the leading educational institutions in the country with instruction in Russian, where teaching is carried out according to Russian state educational standards and textbooks. In this regard, the head of the friendly state expressed gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his expressed interest in expanding this school, noting that the Russian side will do everything possible to facilitate this.

It was also noted that Russia actively contributes to Turkmenistan in the training of highly qualified personnel of various profiles. The popularity of Russian education among Turkmen youth is consistently high. Currently, more than 30 thousand students from Turkmenistan study in Russia more than 4.3 thousand of which are on a budget basis. In this context, President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the idea of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to create a Joint Russian-Turkmen University.

As the head of Russia noted, the most pressing regional and international issues were also touched upon during the talks, on most of which the positions of the two states are traditionally close or coincide.

President Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia respects Turkmenistan’s neutral status and the desire of the country’s leadership to promote sustainable and stable development in the Central Asian region and in the world as a whole.

Based on this, cooperation on multilateral platforms will continue. The Russian side is grateful to the Turkmen partners for the consistent support of many of its initiatives at the United Nations.

Russia welcomes the growing interest of Turkmen colleagues in the integration processes developing through the Eurasian Economic Union and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with the participants of which Turkmenistan has close trade and economic relations.

Moscow and Ashgabat cooperate closely within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Cooperation in the format of the “Central Asian five plus Russia” seems also promising.

The Russian leader also noted that during the talks, the topic of strengthening cooperation in the Caspian Sea region was discussed in detail. Russia and Turkmenistan attach great importance to joint work with the Caspian States in the field of ensuring security, deepening economic partnership, preserving natural resources and maintaining environmental well-being. Active preparations are underway to hold the next, Sixth Caspian Summit in Ashgabat, as well as the Second Caspian Economic Forum in Moscow.

The Russian leader also noted that he asked the distinguished guest to convey the warmest greetings and wishes of health and success to Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov.

“Over many years of working together, he and I have developed truly friendly, comradely and partnership relations. As President of Turkmenistan and now, heading the upper house of the country’s Parliament, he has always promoted and today is contributing to the development of partnership and mutually beneficial Russian-Turkmen cooperation,” the head of the Russian Federation underlined.

In conclusion, President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the results of today’s talks will facilitate the further strengthening of relations between Russia and Turkmenistan for the benefit of our friendly and fraternal peoples.

Addressing the media representatives, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, voicing the results of the talks, noted that during the current official visit, the progress and prospects of Turkmen-Russian cooperation were discussed.

As for bilateral ties, they are on the rise, demonstrating a dynamic and consistent nature. Thanks to joint efforts, relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation are developing along an increasing line. Their distinctive features are equality, mutual respect, openness and trust, mutual understanding of the importance of further strengthening friendship and cooperation between the two nations and states.

Our countries, the head of Turkmenistan highlighted, have sufficient potential to increase the volume of mutual trade, investment, implementation of joint projects in such areas as industry, transport, energy, agriculture and a number of other areas.

Recently, ties in the cultural, scientific, humanitarian and educational fields have noticeably intensified. Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation provide comprehensive support to these processes, create the necessary conditions to satisfy the growing mutual interest in the history, culture, and art of both countries, encouraging broad contacts in these areas.

During the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, our states have shown a brilliant example of solidarity. Turkmenistan is grateful to the leadership of the Russian Federation for the prompt response to the request for the supply of vaccines, medicines, medical materials, and support for Turkmen citizens who found themselves on Russian territory during this difficult period.

Noting that a package of bilateral documents on topical areas of cooperation was signed, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the current meeting will give a serious impetus to strategic interstate partnership, creating new opportunities for strengthening and developing political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties.

Our countries will continue close cooperation on the Caspian Sea both bilaterally and multilaterally. Turkmenistan highly appreciates Russia’s active participation in the work of the Summits of the Caspian States, its contribution to the achievement of key agreements.

The head of the Turkmen state also noted that the parties agreed to continue the political and diplomatic dialogue, the key goal of which is security and stability supporting assistance in the regional and global dimensions.

Expressing the conviction that the current visit confirmed the strength of the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said that he invited President Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to our country at any time convenient for him.

Taking this opportunity, the head of Turkmenistan once again thanked the Russian leader for his tireless attention and huge personal contribution to the strengthening of bilateral ties.

At the end of the press conference, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the memorial complex located in the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin Wall. Paying tribute to the heroes who fell in the battle against fascism on the fields of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, the head of Turkmenistan laid flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

In memory of the brave soldiers having sacrificing their lives to the cause of the Great Victory, including thousands of our compatriots, a minute of silence is announced. The National Anthem of Turkmenistan is being played. The soldiers of the Honor Guard solemnly marches, hammering a step, in front of the memorial.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Government delegation of Turkmenistan and official representatives of the Russian Federation.

In the afternoon, as part of the program of the official visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the State Tretyakov Gallery – one of its buildings, which houses an exposition composed of modern fine art works. In this building of the largest museum complex representing the national art of Russia, a large-scale collection is collected, distinguished by a variety of genres and directions.

Here, at the main entrance, the head of Turkmenistan is cordially welcomed by the leadership of the State Tretyakov Gallery.

At the beginning of the tour, the distinguished guest was presented with a general overview of the museum, which contains the most complete permanent exhibition of Russian art of the 20^th century – from the avant-garde to the latest trends, from famous masterpieces to works that have replenished the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery in recent years. It also hosts retrospectives of outstanding Russian artists, and organizes experimental exhibitions of young authors. The museum’s Lecture Hall and Creative Workshop offer a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical classes for children, students and adults on the art of the last century – the beginning of this century.

Then President Serdar Berdimuhamedov got acquainted with the works of fine art created in various periods of the 20^th century and constituting the main exposition. In the halls of the gallery there are works by such famous Russian masters such as K.Malevich, V.Kandinsky, M.Chagall, N.Goncharova, P.Filonov, P.Konchalovsky, V.Mukhina, A.Tyshler, T.Mavrina, A.Plastov, M.Kantor, T.Yablonskaya and many others.

The development of fruitful cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is one of the key directions of the foreign policy of the neutral Motherland. In this regard, the strengthening of direct contacts through museums provides a good opportunity for organizing mutually beneficial cultural exchanges and enriching their content.

Thanking the management of the State Tretyakov Gallery for the informative tour, the President of Turkmenistan left the museum.

After completing his official visit to the Russian Federation, the head of state proceeded to Moscow Vnukovo-2 International Airport.

The official ceremony of the distinguished guest farewell took place here. After the report of the commander of the Honor Guard, the National Anthems of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation are performed.

After warmly saying goodbye to the official representatives of the Russian side, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov boarded the airliner on which he left for his Homeland.