“The current relations
between Russia and Turkmenistan are of a strategic nature, based on the principles of equality, good neighborliness and respect,” stressed the Chairman
of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
. “The development of mutually beneficial
cooperation with Turkmenistan is one of our priorities,” he added.
The Chairman of the State Duma recalled that in 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 20th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan. During this time, the countries had done a lot and gained considerable experience in the political, economic, humanitarian and other fields, as said Vyacheslav Volodin.
Common goals
“The dynamic of the development of relations between Russia and Turkmenistan was set by the leaders of our countries. It is important for us to follow their example, to do everything to provide legislative support to the agreements reached at the highest level,” emphasized Vyacheslav Volodin.
According to the Chairman of the State Duma, first of all, it is necessary to develop inter-parliamentary cooperation, as that task was set in the Declaration on Strengthening the Strategic Partnership, signed by the presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan in June 2022.
The meeting with the National Leader of people of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which took place in November 2022, had given impetus to the development of inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries, as stressed Vyacheslav Volodin.
“We expect that we have common goals: improving the well-being and quality of life of people, strengthening mutual understanding between Russia and Turkmenistan,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.
Possible new formats of cooperation
“The legal basis of cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan consists of about 200 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.
The Chairman of the State Duma noted the importance of enhancing trade and economic relations between Russia and Turkmenistan within the framework of the parliamentary dimension. Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that Russia was one of the five key trade partners of Turkmenistan.
“The implementation of the agreements reached between the presidents and governments of our countries will increase mutual trade,” added the Chairman of the State Duma. First of all, he mentioned the key area of bilateral cooperation — the oil and gas industry. Vyacheslav Volodin noted the need to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, including in the development of new fields.
“It is also important to increase the efficiency of joint projects in energy, transport infrastructure, industry and agriculture,” he added.
Interregional cooperation
The Chairman of the State Duma also noted importance of interregional cooperation. “Saint Petersburg, Tatarstan, Astrakhan region are successfully cooperating with Turkmenistan. We intend to expand this practice,” he said. The Chairman of the State Duma also noted the need to develop cooperation at the level of relevant committees.
Another priority of bilateral cooperation is strengthening educational and cultural ties. “We appreciate careful attitude to the Russian language in Turkmenistan. There are “Russian speaking classes” in 71 Turkmen schools where education is in Russian,” said Vyacheslav Volodin.
A vivid example of successful cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian fields is the Russian-Turkmen Pushkin secondary school in Ashgabat. Vyacheslav Volodin also noted the importance of the project of establishment of the Russian-Turkmen University.
“Russian education is getting more popular among the citizens of your country. About 30 thousand students from Turkmenistan are studying in Russia. That means a lot,” added the Chairman of the State Duma.
International agenda
Russia and Turkmenistan share the same views on issues on the international agenda. “We are grateful for supporting Russian initiatives at the UN, including those aimed at countering the glorification of Nazism and the falsification of the history of World War II,” said Vyacheslav Volodin, addressing the members of the Mejlis.
He added that Russia and Turkmenistan were effectively cooperating at other international platforms.
Parliamentary Dimension of the Caspian Five
The high geopolitical and economic significance of the Caspian Sea proved that cooperation within the framework of the so-called “Caspian Five” (Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran) played a special role, as said the Chairman of the State Duma.
“Practical implementation of the agreements reached by the leaders of the five states will be facilitated by the formation of the parliamentary dimension of the Caspian Five,” stressed Vyacheslav Volodin.
“We expect that the conference with the participation of the speakers of the parliaments of the Caspian countries will be held in each of the states alternately,” added the Chairman of the State Duma.
Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that the issue was discussed during the visit of the National Leader of people of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Moscow in November 2022. His proposal to hold such conference in 2024 in Turkmenistan was supported.
The Chairman of the State Duma also noted the necessity to develop cooperation between the relevant committees of the State Duma and the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on issues of Caspian cooperation.
“The issue of cooperation between the Caspian states is very important. A wide range of laws should be developed, taking into account the interests of each state,” he said.
“The centuries-old traditions of peacefulness, friendliness, respect for the interests of others have been reflected in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan, which has the status of permanent neutrality,” said the Chairman of the State Duma.
According to him, the path of peace, friendship and cooperation is a reliable basis for the development of cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan.
“Colleagues, our task is to find new opportunities for bringing our countries together through inter-parliamentary dialogue. It is necessary to do everything for development of Russia and Turkmenistan, growth of prosperity and improvement of quality of life of our citizens,” concluded the Chairman of the State Duma.
The delegation of the State Duma headed by the Chairman of the State
Duma Vyacheslav Volodin is paying an official visit to Ashgabat. This is the first visit of the delegation of the State Duma headed by the Chairman to Turkmenistan
in 11 years. Earlier, Vyacheslav Volodin met with President of the Republic
Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Gülşat
Mämmedowa.
