Yesterday, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has received Governor of the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation Igor Babushkin.Expressing his sincere acknowledgment for the given time to meet, the guest conveyed warm greetings of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and his wishes of wellbeing to the entire Turkmen people.
As Igor Babushkin noted, Russia highly appreciates traditionally friendly relations with Turkmenistan which displays high indicators of economic growth and attaches a great significance for further strengthening of long-term strategic cooperation.
Availing of the opportunity, the Governor of the Astrakhan region congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and all Turkmen nationals on significant dates, the 30th anniversary of independence and upcoming 26th anniversary of neutrality status of Turkmenistan and wished further success on the path of progress and development.
As was pointed out, this status, which has been twice recognized by special Resolutions of the United Nations, reflects an active and positive role of our country in development of good neighbourhood and friendly relations with all interested countries.
Having thanked the guest for his warm words, the leader of the nation also conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the President of the Russian Federation and marked a stable level of bilateral relations.
Expansion of cooperation with Russia, its regions and leading industrial centres acts as key vectors of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan, the head of the state said.It confirms adherence of our country to the all-round strengthening of traditionally trusted and fruitful dialogue with the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation with which Turkmenistan enjoys long-term economic and cultural relations.
In the course of the interested exchange of views of the current state of affairs and priorities of cooperation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the head of the regional administration of the Russian Federation with satisfaction pointed out presence of sound potential for enhancement of fruitful contacts which are based on principles of mutual respect and bear a strategic character.
As was noted, the close relations established in key areas, including the trade and economic spheres, have differed with a good dynamics of development in recent years.Further, developing upon the topic, it was pointed out that the maximum realization of the potential of Turkmenbashi international seaport will be highly demanded in future.
In this connection, appropriateness of conduction of regular passenger and cargo transportations to the ports of a number of Caspian states, including to the port of Olya (Russian Federation), was singled out.
Further development of traditionally humanitarian contacts which have a special significance taking into account the large Turkmen diaspora living in this region of the Russian Federation, also became a subject of discussion.
The Russian Governor spoke for continuance of practice of study of students from Turkmenistan in the higher and specialized vocational schools of the Astrakhan region.The opening of the monument to Magtymguly Fragi, an outstanding thinker and philosopher of the East in 2009 and construction of a new modern school equipped with advanced technologies by the Turkmen side in the Astrakhan region can serve as a bright example of a fruitful dialogue in the spheres of culture and education.
Availing of the opportunity, Igor Babushkin expressed sincere acknowledgement to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the great attention given to bilateral cooperation as well as for the humanitarian aid given by Turkmenistan to the region to control the coronavirus infection.
As the guest noted, this step serves as a bright reflection of firm friendly and good neighbourhood links between our countries.In conclusion, the sides expressed mutual confidence that the business dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Astrakhan region will be further strengthened to facilitate development of bilateral relations.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin took part in the meeting.Within his visit to Ashgabat the Governor of the Astrakhan region also met Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov and Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan S.Berdimuhamedov.
In the course of the constructive talks, the significance of joint work within the framework of the Turkmen-Astrakhan Entrepreneurship Council was singled out.Besides it, the prospects of cooperation in trade, construction, shipbuilding, and marine logistics were pointed out.
The sides also underlined efficiency of inter-port cooperation of regions of the two countries.In this context, the fruitfulness of partnership of the Turkmen side with the economic actors of the Astrakhan region, in particular, with the OJSC “Pervomaisky Shipyard” for the repair of dry cargo ships and oil tankers was stated.
The parties also underlined the need of further development of contacts in the fields of science, education, culture, health service, sports and other spheres having vast potential for joint implementation.