The development of Russian-Turkmen trade and economic cooperation, including in the oil and gas sector, was one of the main topics of the briefing held for journalists by the Russian Federation's Ambassador to Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin on Wednesday on the eve of Russia Day, celebrated on June 12."In 2019, the trade turnover between Russia and Turkmenistan increased 1.5 times and amounted to 695 million US dollars, and taking into account the supply of Turkmen gas reached about 1 billion US dollars," the diplomat said.Alexander Blokhin noted that the first half of 2020 also shows an increase in trade turnover. Thus, in the 1st quarter, the volume of trade increased 2.7 times compared to the same level in 2019.He noted that this growth is provided by new major projects. In particular, it was said that the company "Vozrozhdenie" won the tender for the construction of self-protective structures in Ashgabat, "KAMAZ" supplies automotive equipment for various sectors of Turkmenistan. “Tatneft” continues its cooperation with the state concern “Turkmennebit”. Russian factories have made large deliveries of pipe products, etc."We have good relations almost across the entire spectrum, including in the economic sphere, and in particular in the gas sector," the Ambassador said, noting that “Gazprom” continues to purchase Turkmen natural gas under a previously concluded contract with the state Corporation “Turkmengas”.The diplomat expressed gratitude to the Turkmen side for making a lot of efforts to maintain the level of strategic partnership between the two friendly countries."I would assess today's relations with Turkmenistan as being at the highest level, at least during my stay here," Alexander Blokhin said.Speaking about Russia's cooperation with Turkmenistan in the oil and gas industry, the Ambassador noted the successful partnership on the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline."We are ready to supply, and have already started to do so, pipes and equipment for this project. For example, a Russian company supplied 90% of large-diameter pipes to the Turkmen TAPI section, " A. Blokhin said.The diplomat also stressed the importance of this project for a number of positions, including, as noted, the Turkmen side that the TAPI pipeline would contribute to stabilization and growth of Afghanistan.It should be noted that on June 9, 2020, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a decree awarding the Russian ambassador to Turkmenistan, Alexander Blokhin, with the Order of Honor for his great contribution to the implementation of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation and many years of public service. A. Blokhin was appointed ambassador to Turkmenistan by decree of President Vladimir Putin in 2011.