Русский
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with the Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who flew to Kazan to participate in the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World”. The conversation between the politicians was reported by the Kremlin press service.
“Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated each other on the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and exchanged views on the further development of mutually beneficial relations of strategic partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan.”
“Our multinational country for centuries has been open for wide interaction with the states of the Islamic world” – these words of greeting from President Vladimir Putin were read out by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin after reading the Quran at the plenary session of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”. Russia’s head of state expressed his willingness to expand cooperation with Islamic countries in all areas. “And today, despite the difficult situation, we continue to successfully and consistently expand economic, scientific, educational, humanitarian and interregional contacts,” read out Marat Khusnullin.
At the same time, Vladimir Putin emphasized the special role of Tatarstan in maintaining contacts with Muslim states. ‘For centuries, our multinational country has been open for interaction with the countries of the Islamic world. And today, despite the difficult international situation, we continue to successfully and consistently expand economic, scientific, educational, humanitarian and interregional contacts.’ the Russian President noted.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the national leader of the Turkmen people, speaking about the prospects of co-operation with Russia, said: ‘The Islamic world has every opportunity to become one of the locomotives of global development. But Turkmenistan would like to co-operate on an equal basis, not in a one-sided manner’. According to him, in the conditions of geopolitical tension, it is necessary to rethink ‘the roles of our countries as the basis of a new world order’ and move to implementing major breakthrough projects, to take more decisive steps towards economic integration with Turkmenistan. ‘Our countries have brilliant indicators in demography, geographical location and trade resources. The technological level is growing, the scientific and educational sphere is being strengthened. All these are prerequisites for initiating major breakthrough projects in various spheres,’ Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said. – In a strategic sense, such a belt can become a bridge with Asia.
The Turkmen leader spoke in favor of reviving the Great Silk Road, referring to the need to activate commodity flows along the eastern bypass of the Caspian Sea through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. ‘Turkmenistan’s approach to international economic cooperation is based on priority of transport and logistics. Islamic countries are called upon to organize a unified energy, transport and technological belt of Eurasia. This approach will ensure the shortest routes in energy supply,’ he believes. In this sense, the Islamic world will show an example of an efficient and attractive model, and is ready to help strengthen logistics links.
On the other hand, he warned against making unequal decisions when choosing transport routes. ‘Turkmenistan’s position is to see equality in global processes. In particular, our country opposes lopsidedness in energy and logistics and insists on the need for their diversification for broad international participation,’ the Turkmen leader stressed.
Further Reading
Direct Rail Freight Service Launched From Ulyanovsk to Turkmenistan onto Iran & Pakistan
