OREANDA-NEWS. November 12, 2008. The official dinner on occasion of the 17th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan was given at the Embassy of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation in Moscow. The honorary guest including First Deputy Chairman of the RF Government, Co-Chairman of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian commission for economic co-operation Viktor Zubkov, Secretary of State, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin and Chairman of the RF Central Electoral Commission Vitaly Churov and the other high-ranking officials participated in the ceremony. The meeting brought together the cultural workers and scientists, the representatives of the public organisations, students and our compatriots – the representatives of the Turkmen diasporas residing in different regions of the Russian Federation and the Turkmen young people studying at the educational establishments in Moscow.

Addressing the meeting on behalf of the RF Government Viktor Zubkov congratulated President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan on the remarkable date and highly appreciated the traditionally friendly dialogue between two countries at the new historical stage. The First Deputy Chairman of the RF Government said that Turkmen-Russian co-operation was dynamically developed that was proved by the trade turnover which was expected to increase to US\\$ in 6.5 billion in 2008. Viktor Zubkov noted that this increased was conditioned by successful implementation of joint fuel and energy projects as well as the Russian businessmen’ interest in the very promising Turkmen market.

V. Zubkov noted that construction of the building of A. S. Pushkin Turkmen-Russian School and the department of I. M. Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas in Ashgabat vividly testified to enhancement of Turkmen-Russian humanitarian co-operation.

Speaking at the meeting the participants noted that the relations of mutual understanding and confidence between the leaders of two countries profoundly contributed to dynamic development of co-operation between Russia and Turkmenistan. Turkmen-Russian partnership in the fuel and energy industry, the spheres of trade and economy, science and culture and other sectors of Turkmenistan’s and Russia’s national economy acquired the new content and quality in recent years. The participants highly appreciated the policy initiated by the Turkmen leader and aimed at developing wide international co-operation, constructive dialogue and enhancing the friendly relations with different countries all over the world.

A performance presented by the Turkmen young people studying in the high schools of art in Russia added bright colours to the palette of the festivities.