Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, a statement of the Russian foreign ministry distributed on Friday reads.
As the ministry pointed out, the messages praised the level of development of Russian-Turkmen relations, which have been elevated to the rank of strategic partnership since 2017. "It was noted that a solid foundation of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has been laid for the 30-year period, a solid legal and treaty base of over 100 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements has been created," the Russian diplomatic office stressed.
"In accordance with the statement of the foreign ministers of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations a number of joint activities, timed to this date, including exhibitions, scientific conferences and cultural exchanges, are planned. The Russian and Turkmen foreign ministries will make their contribution to this work," the foreign ministry reminded.
The diplomatic mission underlines that the relations between Moscow and Ashgabat are characterized by equality and mutual respect, as well as careful consideration of each other's interests. "Their core elements are dynamic trade and economic relations, mutually beneficial cooperation in the regions, constructive cooperation at key international and regional platforms, including the CIS, the "Caspian Five", as well as the UN, OSCE and the dialogue mechanism "CA5 + Russia," the ministry added.
Besides, Moscow and Ashgabat have established effective cooperation on the Afghan issues both on bilateral level and within the framework of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan. "Our positions on topical international issues largely coincide or are very similar. Russia highly appreciates the neutral status of Turkmenistan, which really shows itself as a factor of peace, security and stable development in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea region," the ministry stressed.
"The 30-year milestone is a significant occasion not only to analyze the extensive work done at the interstate level but also a stepping-stone to new heights of cooperation and strategic partnership of Russia and Turkmenistan," the ministry pointed out.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS