There is a wealth of archaeological and historical evidence attesting to the long-standing contacts between our ancestors. The Turkmen and the Tatars have common roots of Turkic history and culture, linguistic kinship and shared faith. Trade has always been an important connecting link since ancient times along the Volga and the Caspian Sea, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya rivers. Tatar merchants often acted as intermediaries for Russia and Western countries in trade with the peoples of Central and Middle Asia, with particularly active cooperation established with the Turkmen, Uzbeks and Iranians.
Many prominent Tatar scholars and religious figures studied and lived in the countries of the Muslim East, including the cities of Central Asia. The Tatars knew well the literary and philosophical works by the great sons of the Turkmen people – Dowletmammed Azadi, Magtymguly Fraghi, Seidnazar Seidi and others. The Kazan editions of the Qur’an, as well as other printed and periodical publications enjoyed great respect and popularity among the Turkmens.
The first representatives of the Turkmen diaspora appeared in Tatarstan in the early 1950s, when some 2,000 young Turkmens came to study at Kazan universities, as Turkmen SSR lacked qualified specialists for its developing gas, chemical and agricultural industries. The prestige and authority of Kazan’s universities have endured to this day. Around 8,500 students from Turkmenistan currently study in Tatarstan. Approximately 2,000 Turkmens reside permanently in the republic, united under the Regional Public Organization “National-Cultural Autonomy of the Turkmen of the Republic of Tatarstan.”
Tatarstan, in turn, maintains close ties with the Tatar diaspora in Turkmenistan. Today, large Tatar communities exist in Ashgabat and Turkmenabat, numbering around 15,000 people. Members of this diaspora actively participate in public life, attend official and festive events in Turkmenistan and frequently visit Tatarstan.
The traditional brotherly ties between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan are meant to strengthen Russian–Turkmen relations, providing a solid foundation for fruitful cooperation. Common culture, language and traditions foster trust and understanding, enabling active collaboration in the economy, education, science, culture and many other areas. This is reflected in the dynamic trade and economic relations, joint projects in the oil and gas sector, energy, automotive and machine-building industries, medicine and the humanitarian sphere – especially in education, as more than one-third of all international students studying in Tatarstan’s universities come from Turkmenistan.
Our strong ties are built, first and foremost, on deep mutual respect. We have established very warm relations with the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Myalikguliyevich Berdimuhamedov and with the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Gurbangulyyevich Berdimuhamedov. We can always call each other and discuss any matter of importance.
Viewed in a broader context, our cooperation is based on the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Government of Turkmenistan on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation, signed in 2008. It was on June 28–29, 2008, when President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid an official visit to Tatarstan, that we first met each other thanks to Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev. At that time, I served as Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan. I am pleased that this acquaintance grew into a strong friendship. Since then, I have visited hospitable Turkmenistan every year – sometimes several times a year. The National Leader of the Turkmen People and the President of Turkmenistan have likewise visited Tatarstan many times during their official trips to the Russian Federation. The Consulate General of Turkmenistan in Kazan and the Representative Office of the Republic of Tatarstan in Turkmenistan do a great job under this cooperation framework.
Mutual high-level visits play a crucial role. In 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Kazan. Both this year and last year, the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was an honoured guest at our International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, and he also participated in the meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia – Islamic World.”
Our partnership with Turkmenistan has significantly expanded and strengthened in recent years thanks to our joint efforts at the highest level. I am especially proud of the achievements of Tatarstan’s companies – KAMAZ PJSC, Tatneft PJSC, Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC, and KER Holding LLC – which successfully operate in Turkmenistan. We are actively developing joint projects in the oil and gas industry, mechanical engineering, chemical production and agriculture.
Our cultural and humanitarian ties continue to grow. We organize Days of Tatarstan Culture in Ashgabat and plan to hold Days of Turkmenistan Culture in Kazan. For me personally, the friendship between our peoples is of great importance, as it strengthens not only economic cooperation but also spiritual connection. I am confident that many new successful projects lie ahead that will bring tangible benefits to our citizens.
I would emphasize that cooperation in the oil and gas sector is actively developing today. Tatneft works with Turkmen partners in the areas of oil production and geological exploration. Joint projects are being implemented in the production of medical polypropylene and saline solutions.
Our automotive giant KAMAZ has delivered more than 10,000 trucks to Turkmenistan over the years. KAMAZ operates training and service centers in four regions of Turkmenistan. Tatarstan’s shipbuilders have supplied Turkmen customers with two high-speed vessels, with plans for further deliveries. The Kazan Helicopter Plant has repeatedly shipped various types of helicopters to Turkmenistan. Many of Tatarstan’s major industrial enterprises export products and provide service support to Turkmen partners. Tatarstan’s agricultural enterprises supply grain, sugar, dairy products and other goods to Turkmenistan, while Turkmen agro-industrial producers supply their agricultural products in return.
There are now excellent opportunities for cooperation in information technology. Tatarstan has developed numerous innovations that we are ready to share with our Turkmen partners.
Humanitarian cooperation between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan is of great importance, uniting our peoples through shared historical roots, culture and spiritual values. Reciprocal cultural days and joint artistic projects are regularly organized. One vivid example is the performance of the Galkynysh Folk Dance Ensemble at the International Festival of National Cultures “Eastern Bazaar in Kazan.”
Turkmen literary works are being translated into Tatar, and joint film projects are being developed. Cooperation is also expanding in sports and tourism.
In 2024, Turkmenistan celebrated the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fraghi, a classic of Turkmen literature. Tatarstan took an active part in this landmark event. The Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tatarstan hosted the international roundtable “Magtymguly Fraghi – Great Enlightener and Thinker of the Turkic World.” Moreover, a Tatarstan delegation – including myself – visited Turkmenistan to participate in an international forum dedicated to this great philosopher. I am confident that such consistent humanitarian engagement strengthens mutual respect and broadens bilateral ties at all levels.
I am pleased to repeat that every visit to such a remarkable country as Turkmenistan is truly a celebration. It is difficult to single out particular moments from my working trips there. I have visited Ashgabat and other regions of the country on many occasions - for Horse Day, Independence Day, inauguration of new cities and other important events. In early August this year, I took part in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Turkmenistan. It is always a great pleasure that whenever we come we are welcomed in Turkmenistan with unwavering warmth and hospitality – the best confirmation of our deep brotherly friendship.