President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov: President Putin,
Welcome to Turkmenistan. We are truly delighted to host you here in Ashgabat today.
We extend our sincere gratitude for accepting our invitation to this forum, which celebrates the International Year of Peace and Trust, observes International Neutrality Day, and marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
Your participation in this international forum is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to strengthening the foundations of peace, trust, and mutual understanding. We are deeply grateful for your active participation in this international forum dedicated to peace and trust.
It is both a great honour and a privilege to welcome you on Turkmen soil.
Welcome!
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Berdimuhamedov, and first of all, for the kind invitation.
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the today’s event and the 30th anniversary of neutrality. This is a significant event for Turkmenistan – one made possible by Turkmenistan’s initiative, which led the United Nations to adopting a corresponding resolution on neutrality.
This policy of neutrality is fully justified. As I noted in my public remarks today, it plays a vital role in stabilising the region and creates favourable conditions for developing bilateral relations with many countries – including, I am pleased to say, the strong partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan.
Our relations continue to advance successfully in a spirit of friendship and neighbourliness. Much has already been accomplished across all areas of our cooperation, and I am confident that even more can be achieved, given our many mutual interests.
Our economic ties are becoming increasingly diversified. Trust continues to grow in the political sphere. And we work together closely and effectively on all international platforms. We are grateful to you for the trust that has been established between us in all these areas.
Later, we will have an opportunity to discuss briefly what steps we might take in the near future. And of course, we very much look forward to welcoming you in St Petersburg, as agreed, at the end of this month.
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