Rustam Minnikhanov meets Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow

On 5 August, speaking at his meeting with National Leader of Turkmen People, the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow held in the traditional friendly atmosphere on the sidelines of the  Third Conference of the UN on landlocked developing countries held in the Awaza Congress Center of the City of Turkmenbashi, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov thanked  Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow for his attention to Tatarstan and expressed his gratitude for participation in the KazanForum, where the National Leader of Turkmen People is always welcome as the guest of honor. “Your speech at the plenary session enriched it with valuable and interesting thoughts. Our interaction proves that our friendly people are connected by deep historic spiritual and cultural ties and fruitful trade and economic relations. Please, accept my deep gratitude for your support and attention to issues of the development of Tatarstan-Turkmenistan interaction aimed at strengthening relations between our countries,” he said.

The Rais of the republic praised the level of organization of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the scale of which impressed all participants. He also noted with admiration the development of the national tourist zone "Awaza", which during his last visit was only just beginning to be built in a completely deserted area.  

During their conversation the parties of the meeting also briefly touched upon issues of trade, economic and cultural interaction between Tatarstan and Turkmenistan and, having mentioned many leading companies of the republic working together with Turkmenistan, Rustam Minnikhanov added: “But in our opinion, it is necessary to give even greater momentum to our economic interaction, which has declined slightly in recent years. There is considerable potential for developing ties in such areas as oil exploration and production; gas transportation; automobile, aircraft and shipbuilding; energy; chemical supply; pharmaceuticals and medicine; agro-industrial complex and culture and education.” He also informed that currently 8 439 young people from Turkmenistan study at universities of the republic and informed about planning the Days of Turkmenistan Culture in Tatarstan

In his turn, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow inquired about the health of the first President, the State Counselor of Tatarstan, the Hero of Labor Mintimer Shaimiev and asked to convey words of greetings and gratitude for all the congratulatory telegrams he receives from him. He also expressed hope that he would like to see Mintimer Shaimiev as an honorary guest in Turkmenistan. And the opening of the Central Cathedral Mosque in the City of Arkadag could be a good reason for his visit as the guest of honor. In his turn Rustam Minnikhanov promised to convey all these words to the addressee.

In conclusion, the Rais of the republic expressed his gratitude for the support given to 17 thousand Tatars living in Turkmenistan and for the attention attached  to their national and cultural demands and added that in its turn Tatarstan also attaches great attention to the national and cultural community of about 3 thousand Turkmens living in the republic.