Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in an exclusive interview with TASS first deputy diector general Mikhail Gusman described his personal dialogue with Russian president Vladimir Putin as extremely trusting, open and always substantive.
"You know, I can say clearly: as extremely trusting, open, friendly, while always being very substantive and aimed at the final result," the head of state said, when asked how he would assess the current dialogue with Putin. Berdymukhamedov also called the Russian president a great man who has "a simple character and a wide soul". "A man who is always pleasant to talk to," the Turkmen leader pointed out.
According to the head of state, he got to know Putin while he was still deputy prime minister and accompanied him during one of his visits to Turkmenistan. "It was, if I'm not mistaken, in 2002," the Turkmen president said. - "So we have known each other for almost 20 years, and we always have an honest, direct and open dialogue on all issues".
"We regularly communicate with the president of Russia - both in person and by phone, we exchange views and consult on topical issues of international politics and the bilateral agenda," Berdymukhamedov added. - "And every time I feel his attitude toward constructive joint work and commitment to close cooperation with Turkmenistan, and his respectful attitude toward our country and our chosen course".
Berdymukhamedov stressed that he was deeply grateful to Putin "for the unwavering support of Turkmenistan on the world stage, our neutrality and international initiatives" and appreciated it. "All the issues we discussed, of course, they are for the benefit of our peoples," he said.
Cooperation between the countries
Cooperation between Ashgabat and Moscow is comprehensive, long-term and not subject to external conditions, Berdymukhamedov noted.
"The relations between Turkmenistan and Russia are the relations of two strategic partners. And this characteristic shows that Turkmen-Russian cooperation is comprehensive, long-term, not subject to external conditions," he said.
"We cooperate in maintaining peace and security at international and regional arenas, in major international organizations, primarily in the United Nations, and we coordinate our steps there if necessary," Berdymukhamedov noted.
The president stressed that this interaction is based on proximity or commonality of approaches, which are based on the recognized norms of international law, the UN Charter, the principles of equality, respect for the sovereignty of states, non-interference in their internal affairs.
Berdymukhamedov also noted the cooperation of the two countries in the economic sphere. "In the economic sphere, Russia has for many years been among the leaders in the volume of foreign trade with Turkmenistan and [is] one of the leading investment partners of our country," he said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS