Russia Forges Strategic Partnership Deal With Turkmenistan

Today, Russia and Turkmenistan became strategic partners. The respective agreement was signed by the Presidents of the two states. Vladimir Putin arrived in Ashgabat on an official visit. There are almost no disagreements on international issues between the two countries. The main topic of the talks is cooperation, first of all, economic. The Turkmen authorities are now waiting for large Russian companies to appear on the market. Alexander Balitsky reporting.

Hospitality in Turkmenistan is expressed by, of course, flat bread from the tandoor and national carpets laid right from the stairway. Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow meets Vladimir Putin at the entrance to the Oguzkhan Presidential Palace.

This visit is official, therefore, it’s mandatory to play the hymns. Although Putin visited Turkmenistan five years ago, the relationship has never been suspended.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow: "Of course, we attach great importance to your visit. It’s symbolic because this year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations".

Vladimir Putin: "It seems to me that we’re meeting right on time, since, unfortunately, we have, for a number of objective reasons, a certain decrease in turnover. And we need to discuss what needs to be done to reverse this trend, to develop, in the first place, our trade and economic relations progressively, as it was in previous years".

In the first half of the year, the countries’ turnover was just $200 million. Today, the volumes of mutual trade between Turkmenistan and Russia are relatively modest, but the potential is visible on local counters.

The Ashgabat market, which has everything from nuts to black caviar, is even called the Russian bazaar.

- It's as sweet as honey. It’s natural, unique, it’s Turkmen.

One of the 16 current agreements is about cooperation in agriculture. Putin gives Berdimuhamedow the Order of Alexander Nevsky. This high distinction is for the personal contribution to the strengthening of partnership and security in the region.

Vladimir Putin: "Largely due to your efforts, bilateral cooperation is developing on the solid foundation of friendship and mutual understanding, on the principles of equality, respect for each other's interests. And, of course, your caring attitude to the Russian language deserves special words. Today, it's taught in most Turkmen schools. Russian is widely used in Turkmenistan as a means of international communication".

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow: "Let me thank you for such an important award and, of course, wish you much success in your government activities. And, of course, the best blessings to the people of all Russia represented by you".

In response, the Russian President was awarded the Turkmen order. It’s called "For Contribution to the Development of Cooperation." And this is the first such award in history, it was approved only on the eve.

Vladimir Putin: "The Turkmen proverb says: the source of abundance is in action. Just in recent years, Turkmenistan has made an impressive leap in its development. And the city of Ashgabat has turned into one of the pearls of Central Asia, and has become a place for holding major international forums. In September, the 5th Asian Games were held in Ashgabat with great success".

It’s a tradition to show the guests all the best in Turkmenistan, what the country is proud of. Pride, glory and one of the main symbols of Turkmenistan, which is depicted even on the coat of arms, Akhal-Teke. This is the oldest breed, which was bred here more than 5,000 years ago. Paradise or heavenly horses are cared for and cherished here, and at the highest level. The President is an experienced rider himself. By the way, it’s prohibited by law to export Akhal-Teke from the country. Maybe only as a gift to the dearest friends.

- This is the great-great-great-great-grandson of the stallion that Nikita Khrushchev gave to the Queen of England. And his name is also Meleguş.

As thousands of colorful threads are woven into knots in unique patterns of Turkmen carpets, so the ties between the countries are inseparable. Another symbol of them is a wreath from the Russian President laid to the People's Memory memorial complex. It has several monuments, the central of which is the stele to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

Alexander Balitsky, Vladimir Ozerov, Ignat Gareyev, Stanislav Ponomarenko, Gennady Gordeyev, and Valery Glushakov, Vesti from Ashgabat.