The Honorable President participated in the informal summit of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

On December 25, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov departed for the Russian Federation on a working visit to attend the informal summit of the heads of state of the CIS member countries, traditionally held ahead of the New Year. As an associate member of the CIS, Turkmenistan builds relations with the Commonwealth states based on historically established traditions of friendship and good neighborliness.

At Ashgabat International Airport, the President of Turkmenistan was seen off by officials.

Taking an active position on developing equal and constructive cooperation with all interested foreign partners, our independent and neutral Homeland contributes significantly to ensuring global peace and well-being. Under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan consistently implements a creative foreign policy strategy recognized and supported by the international community. Special attention is given to strengthening productive dialogue within authoritative international and regional organizations, including the CIS.

Our country regularly participates in important meetings and forums within the Commonwealth format and also hosts such events. For instance, in May of this year, the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government was held in Ashgabat. It was conducted in a business-like manner and at a high organizational level. Decisions were made on all issues on the agenda, and several important documents aimed at further advancing mutually beneficial interstate partnerships were signed.

As is known, this year marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy, whose creative legacy is included in the golden treasury of world culture. Events dedicated to this significant date are taking place in all CIS states. Monuments to Magtymguly have been erected in Commonwealth countries, streets named after the great poet-humanist, and his name graces a secondary school in the "Ergash Sultanov" farmers' association of the Dusti District, Khatlon Region, Republic of Tajikistan, which was ceremoniously opened on September 1 of this year. Thus, the anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy, a notable event in the cultural life of the Commonwealth, also contributes to strengthening ties of friendship and brotherhood among our peoples, united by shared spiritual and humanistic values.

This landmark date was also marked by the International High-Level Forum titled "Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – Basis of Peace and Development," held on October 11 in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The forum was attended by leaders and representatives from several countries, including CIS states.

Turkmenistan strives to actively promote effective cooperation within the CIS, enriching it with new content. Evidence of this commitment is President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s regular participation in CIS summits and the concrete initiatives and proposals put forward by our country. For instance, on October 8, the President of Turkmenistan attended the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting held in Moscow.

As for the traditionally friendly Turkmen-Russian relations, they are built on many years of experience and a solid potential for interaction in various spheres, based on the principles of strategic partnership that meet the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries. Key aspects include established close ties with major regions and entities of Russia, among them St. Petersburg – an important economic, scientific, and cultural center of the Russian Federation.

An integral part of the interstate dialogue is the cultural and humanitarian sphere. Issues of fruitful interaction in this area consistently remain at the forefront of the parties’ attention. A confirmation of this is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s participation in the aforementioned International Forum "Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – Basis of Peace and Development."

In his address at the Forum, the President of Russia particularly emphasized that Magtymguly, far ahead of his time, was always in creative pursuit, striving for knowledge and truth. With the force of his genius, the poet foresaw the future of his land and people. Through his work, Magtymguly consistently called for purity, justice, and equality. The thoughts expressed in the poet and thinker’s works remain relevant and comprehensible to people today.

In this regard, the President of Russia expressed special gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, for their significant contribution to preserving peace and stability in the region and expanding multifaceted cooperation, following the precepts of Magtymguly.

The works of Magtymguly Pyragy have been translated into various world languages, including Russian. In 2019, on the initiative of Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, a school named after Magtymguly was built in the village of Funtovo near Astrakhan, where a Turkmen diaspora has lived since the late 17th century. A monument to the outstanding wordsmith has been erected in Astrakhan, and in September of this year, a bust of Magtymguly Pyragy was unveiled at the Library of Foreign Literature in Moscow in a solemn ceremony.

...After a flight to St. Petersburg, the presidential aircraft landed at Pulkovo International Airport. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was welcomed by officials at the airport.

In the afternoon, the head of Turkmenistan proceeded to the Ice Palace of the Igora Winter Sports Complex. This large complex is a multifunctional venue for professional and amateur sports competitions and training, active recreation, and events of various levels. The Ice Palace, part of its infrastructure, includes an ice arena, a conference zone, and other facilities for sports and cultural leisure.

It is noteworthy that today in Turkmenistan, modern infrastructure and favorable conditions have been created for engaging in various sports, including winter sports such as hockey, figure skating, and other spectacular ice disciplines, as well as for hosting international competitions. One example is the international hockey tournament held in the capital in April this year. Incidentally, at the aforementioned CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting, a decision was made to declare Ashgabat the City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth. All this is the result of the successful implementation of Turkmenistan’s state strategy for the development of physical culture and sports, initiated by Hero-Arkadag and consistently pursued by Arkadagly Hero Serdar.

In the foyer of the Ice Palace, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly greeted by President Vladimir Putin.

The participants of the high-level meeting were invited to the Olympic Hall of the Ice Palace, where the informal CIS summit took place.

Opening the meeting, President Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed his foreign colleagues, expressing gratitude to all for accepting the invitation to visit St. Petersburg for the informal pre-New Year summit.

During the summit, the results of the Commonwealth’s activities for the current year were analyzed, and priority areas of cooperation and tasks for the upcoming period were outlined. Positive indicators of economic partnership were noted with satisfaction. Issues of regional and global agendas were also the subject of an interested exchange of views.

It was emphasized that over the years, CIS countries have steadily pursued a course of equal, mutually beneficial cooperation based on enduring goodwill, mutual respect, and trust.

This summit reaffirmed the shared commitment of CIS states to elevate productive interaction to a new level, corresponding to modern realities and the significant potential available.

Undoubtedly, a priority area of partnership within the CIS is the trade and economic sphere. Turkmenistan pays great attention to deepening and diversifying productive ties in this direction. This is evidenced by the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States, adopted following the CIS Summit held in Ashgabat in October 2019.

This conceptual document was developed on the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The key principles of this Declaration form the basis of the CIS Economic Development Strategy until 2030, whose adoption has added new substantive content to the entire partnership process. Among the priorities highlighted by Turkmenistan are transport, the fuel and energy complex, communication and telecommunications, industrial cooperation, trade, innovation, and technology.

Among the key tasks of our time is also expanding mutual trade, increasing trade turnover, developing long-term ties in the industrial sector, digital transformation, and stimulating investment and business activity.

Of course, an important area of interaction within the CIS remains the humanitarian sphere. The cultural connectivity and spiritual closeness of the peoples of our countries, as well as the centuries-old common history, form a solid foundation for integration processes within the Commonwealth.

President Vladimir Putin invited the CIS heads of state to participate in next year’s celebrations in Moscow on the occasion of the significant anniversary – the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It was emphasized that during the harsh wartime years, our peoples displayed unparalleled heroism and courage on the frontlines and in the rear, and the Commonwealth countries honor this immortal feat.

Taking the opportunity, the President of Russia also conveyed heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all citizens of the CIS countries on the occasion of the upcoming New Year.

In honor of the distinguished guests, an informal dinner was hosted by the President of the Russian Federation.

After completing the program of his working visit to the Russian Federation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, from where he departed for his homeland.

At Ashgabat International Airport, the head of state was welcomed by officials.

Source: State News Agency of Turkmenistan