The official visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Russian Federation has begun today, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported on Friday.

 “The all-round strengthening of political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia, our country has always, from the first days of gaining state independence, attributed to the category of the main vectors of its foreign policy,” Agency notes.

 “Demonstrating commitment to the centuries-old traditions of friendship and good neighborliness, at the present stage, both countries are building a fundamentally new model of interstate cooperation based on a balance of mutual national interests and key priorities of socio-economic development,” the news agency said in a commentary.

 It is also noted that a constructive political dialogue successfully developed on a bilateral and multilateral basis – within the framework of major international organizations and authoritative regional structures, primarily the UN  and CIS.

 It is emphasized that in recent years the “Central Asia and the Russian Federation” format has also proved its effectiveness, which also contributes to the strengthening of traditional trade, economic and cultural ties.

 As noted, individual regions of Russia, its largest industrial and cultural centers, including the Republic of Tatarstan, Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk regions, the northern capital of Russia – St. Petersburg and other subjects of the Russian Federation are also involved in the orbit of the Turkmen-Russian partnership today.

 A special role in the activation of bilateral relations is given to the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission for Economic Cooperation.  Among the most important areas of bilateral partnership are trade, economic and fuel and energy sectors, industry, transport, communications and telecommunications, education and healthcare, advanced technologies, agriculture and many others.

 It is expected that the first visit of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Russian Federation as the head of the Turkmen state will give a new impetus to the development of a multifaceted, equal and highly trusting Turkmen-Russian dialogue in the interests of both states and their fraternal peoples.