Dear Rashid Ovezgeldyevich,
Dear friends,
We are glad to welcome you to Moscow in the development of our strategic partnership, a trusting dialogue, the tone of which is set by our presidents. I would like to emphasize the importance of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in October 2017 at the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan G.M.Berdimuhamedov. It has not just remained a document, but is actually being implemented. I am convinced that today we will be able to discuss in detail what additional tasks we need to solve in accordance with the principles of our leaders.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. We agreed to mark this date with significant events. We supported the proposal of our Turkmen friends to coordinate the action plan, which we will sign today. There is a solid list, including exchanges of messages at the highest level, conferences, round tables, exhibitions. I am convinced that this will be well received by our peoples. At this stage, we have prepared a small exhibition of archival documents, starting with the establishment of diplomatic relations and continuing until today. It reflects contacts between the presidents and at the level of foreign ministers.
Humanitarian cooperation is developing closely. We have a mutual interest in educational exchanges. We would like to sincerely thank you for the attention paid to the Russian language in Turkmenistan. More and more young people are making a choice in favor of Russian higher education. We are ready to contribute in every possible way to the satisfaction of their interests.
A number of cultural events were planned. Unfortunately, the coronavirus infection has shifted the timing somewhat. I am convinced that we will be able to hold the planned Days of Russian Culture in Turkmenistan, the Week of Russian Cinema, as well as exchange tours of the leading theaters of our countries.
We have good cooperation on healthcare. Turkmenistan was among the first to register Russian vaccines. We have established the supply of these vaccines to Turkmenistan. We know that they are successful because they really solve the issues of protection against coronavirus infection.
Trade and economic cooperation between us is developing steadily. The Intergovernmental Commission works rhythmically. Today we will discuss this area, as well as exchange views on topical international and regional issues.
We work closely in the UN, within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. With the active support of Turkmenistan and R.O. Meredov personally, the format of the “Central Asian five plus Russia” was held at the level of foreign ministers. We are interested in its continuing to serve as a platform for a confidential exchange of views, especially on the problems that are currently developing around and inside Afghanistan. Like Turkmenistan, we are interested in our Afghan neighbors developing within the framework of a peaceful, independent, neutral State, free from terrorist threats and drug trafficking. We welcome the contribution that Ashgabat consistently makes to the overall international efforts to achieve peace in and around Afghanistan.
Another topic that unites us among many others is the Caspian Sea. Preparations for the Sixth Caspian Summit in Ashgabat are coming to the finish line. We hope that this year we will be able to gather in hospitable Turkmenistan and make the decisions that are currently being negotiated. We perceive the negotiation process equally. I am sure that we will be able to agree on a good package of final documents.
