The Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament of Turkmenistan – Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council), Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, paid an official visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation of Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matvienko.
In Moscow, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held talks with Valentina Matvienko at the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. During the meeting, the sides discussed the pace of development of the inter-parliamentary cooperation between Turkmenistan and Russia. In particular, the sides noted that an agreement on establishment of an Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation between the Federation Council of Russia and the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, scheduled for signing after the talks, will mark a qualitatively new stage of interaction in this area.
In this regard, Valentina Matvienko stressed that the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation is characterized by exceptional stability of political dialogue based on the principles of mutual respect and consideration of each other’s interests. The Speaker of the Federation Council noted that the decision by the President of Russia to award Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a high state decoration of the Russian Federation – the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree – is a recognition of the contribution to this process.
Expressing gratitude to Valentina Matvienko for the invitation to visit Moscow, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the parliamentary cooperation makes an important contribution to the development of the strategic Turkmen-Russian partnership, strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two states, united by deep historical, cultural and humanitarian ties. In this regard, the Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty supported the proposal of the Russian side to establish an Inter-Parliamentary Commission on Cooperation.
According to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, against the backdrop of aggravation of the situation in the world, it is important to unite efforts in the affirmation of international law, the principles of the UN Charter in the fight against legal nihilism, erosion of the functions and mandates of the core international institutions.
The meeting finished with the ceremony of signing an agreement between the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan and the Federation Council of the Russian Federation on establishment of an Inter-Parliamentary Commission for Cooperation. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Valentina Matviyenko put their signatures under this document.
Then, the sides made statements for the mass media. It was followed by the performance by young artists of the children’s music theater “Domisolka”. Thanking the children for the wonderful performance, the Speakers of the Upper Houses of the parliaments of Turkmenistan and Russia posed for a photograph with them as a keepsake.
As part of his official visit to the Russian Federation, Speaker of the Upper House of the Parliament of Turkmenistan – Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov delivered a keynote speech at the Federation Council of the Russian Federation and held talks with State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.
Speaking at the Upper House of the Russian parliament, Berdimuhamedov noted that close proactive interaction between the legislative bodies of Turkmenistan and Russia is an essential and integral part of development of comprehensive cooperation between the two states. According to him, a lot has been done in recent years through the joint efforts of parliaments of the two countries. A stable inter-parliamentary dialogue has been established. Mechanisms for professional communication have been launched, and exchange of delegations takes place on a regular basis. The Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty expressed confidence that parliamentary diplomacy is called upon to make a significant contribution to the cause of peace, trust and predictability in the international arena, give positive impetus to the entire international political agenda, prevent the erosion of internationally recognized legal norms, the provisions of the UN Charter, basic international treaties and conventions. “Populism, pursuit of momentary political benefits, blind imitation have never benefited either the state or society in the long term,” he stressed.
Among the main areas of joint work, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov singled out energy, transport, high technology, industry, trade and agriculture. “We have always favored strengthening trade and economic ties between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, giving them a new quality, bringing these relations to the level of multifunctional economic partnership in which investment, financial and technological components would play a key role,” the Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty said.
In his opinion, the parliamentarians of the two countries should make their contribution to addressing the above tasks, that is, adopt new laws regulating modern economic relations, harmonizing national legislation in this part. “Our current meeting provided a good opportunity to focus on the cultural and humanitarian ties between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Russia. Their deep history, commonality of civilizational roots and ideological vision, traditions and customs based on the ideals of peace, goodness and justice are a solid foundation for development of multifaceted bilateral relations,” the Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan said.
According to him, it is through culture, art, science and education that the strategy and content of bilateral partnership can be enriched. In this regard, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that there are dozens of schools teaching in Russian in Turkmenistan, including one of its kind Joint Turkmen-Russian General Education School named after A. S. Pushkin. The Russian language is taught in all secondary educational institutions and universities. Work is underway for construction of the Russian Drama Theater in Ashgabat. Establishment of the Turkmen-Russian University is being discussed.
After speaking at the Federation Council, the ex-president of Turkmenistan visited the State Duma of Russia, where he held talks with the Speaker of the Lower House of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin. The sides discussed issues relating to interaction in the inter-parliamentary sphere, the economy, the scientific and educational field and sports. The topics covered in the discussion included the prospects of participation of the delegation of Turkmenistan in the meeting of heads of parliaments of the countries of the Caspian region for review of the key aspects of interregional cooperation. The sides also exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest.
On the final day of his official visit to the Russian Federation, Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty (upper house of the parliament of Turkmenistan) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, a wide range of issues related to the development of Turkmen-Russian cooperation was discussed.
“We are always happy to see you, because you have made a huge contribution to the development of our bilateral interstate relations. This applies to all spheres of work – both humanitarian and economic. With your direct participation, relations between Russia and Turkmenistan have reached a very high, nearly allied level of strategic partnership,” the Russian leader emphasized during the talks.
Noting the good results achieved in previous years, the President of Russia stressed that these dynamics did not slow down with the coming of new President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, with whom he also established good personal relations. In this regard, he expressed confidence that the policy of Turkmenistan towards Russia would continue in the traditional way.
Speaking about the decision to award the Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan the state decoration of Russia – the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree, the President of the Russian Federation noted that this high award corresponds to the contribution made to the development of interstate relations.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked the Russian leader for the high appreciation of his work. “This once again proves that the bonds of friendship and good neighborliness have always been the basis for interaction between the peoples of Turkmenistan and Russia. I am pleased to note that together we also made a historic contribution to strengthening traditional cooperation,” the ex-president of Turkmenistan said.
The meeting was concluded with the ceremony of awarding the Speaker of the Upper House of the Turkmen Parliament, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, IV degree.
Upon completion of the program of the official visit, the Speaker of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan left for his homeland.