OREANDA-NEWS. January 15, 2007. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, who had arrived in Ashgabat leading the governmental delegation.

Thanking for the heartfelt welcome extended in the Turkmen land the honorary Russian guest conveyed the warm greetings on behalf of President of Tatarstan Mintemir Shaimiev, who had expressed the wishes of happiness, peace, wellbeing and new accomplishments on implementing the large-scale reforms initiated n the country to Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the people of Turkmenistan. Speaking about the aims of his visit Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan was ready to intensify co-operation with Turkmenistan that it regarded as a reliable partner. The guests emphasized that he arrived to accomplish an important mission – to present the first book of Ruhnama in the Tatar language. Taking an opportunity he presented the Turkmen leader the souvenir edition of the book.

Thanking for the wonderful present Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed the best wishes to the President and people of Tatarstan emphasizing that hew was glad to meet with the representatives with one of the largest regions of the Russian Federation, which Turkmenistan was bound with the ties of friendship and co-operation and the joint plans to expand and intensify the relations.

The President of Turkmenistan noted with satisfaction that the year 2007 had offered a powerful incentive to develop the traditional Turkmen-Tatar relations and marked a new stage in the relations with Tatarstan. In this regard the Turkmen leader expressed belief that the documents to be issued upon concluding the bilateral talks would foster collaboration.

During the meeting held in the constructive atmosphere the interlocutors specified the priority fields of further mutually advantageous co-operation.

Speaking about the prospects of the Turkmen market the Russian guests expressed intense interest in intensifying bilateral relations in such fields as trade, agriculture, healthcare, ship building, petrochemistry, oil production.

The interlocutors were unanimous that partnership of Turkmenistan with Russia’s large company KamAZ could exemplify successful implementation of the profound co-operation potential. To date, partnership had been offered a powerful incentive to develop that was proved by construction of the KamAZ Training and Service Centre and the company’s intention to open a branch in Turkmenistan.

The Tatar partners said that they could offer their expertise in construction of bridges and tunnels and submit the relevant proposals to the Turkmen partners. The guests expressed the readiness to collaborate in the Avaza National Project.

The President and his guest emphasized that the vast opportunities of co-operation based on the centuries-old ties of friendship were provided in the humanitarian sphere. The interlocutors focused on training of Turkmen specialists at the higher educational establishments of Tatarstan.

Publication of Ruhnama in the Tatar language was an important step towards enhancement of humanitarian co-operation. The interlocutors emphasized that participation of the artistic groups from Tatarstan in the presentation would promote establishing close cultural ties.

RF Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan Igor Blatov took part in the meeting.