On February 18, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with the leader of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, Rustam Minnihanov, who came to our country on a business visit.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude to our leader for taking the time to meet, the guest conveyed his warmest greetings and best wishes to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.

The Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan cordially welcomed the distinguished guest to the Turkmen land and expressed his wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity to the Leader of Russia. As it was mentioned, Turkmenistan is currently promoting positive initiatives aimed at ensuring global peace and sustainable development, which are recognized by the world community. Turkmen diplomats play an important role in the successful implementation of the country's foreign policy based on mutual advantage, equality, kindness, and love of peace. In this regard, the great contribution of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, established in 2008 at the initiative of our Heroic Friend, should be emphasized. Every year on February 18, the country celebrates the Day of Diplomatic Staff of Turkmenistan. The fact that the meeting of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan with the leader of the Russian Federation coincides with this important date is of great significance.

Our dear friend sincerely congratulated all the employees of the diplomatic service of the country on their professional holiday and wished them success in their responsible work.

Using the opportunity, Rustam Minnihanov heartily congratulated the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov on the Day of Diplomatic Staff and said that it was a great honor for him to visit Turkmenistan on the day when this professional holiday is widely celebrated. In his turn, Vice-Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov expressed his deep gratitude to our Heroic Comrade and Comrade Heroic Serdar, as well as to the leader of the Tatar Republic of the Russian Federation.

As mentioned, the peoples of our countries have maintained close and friendly relations for many centuries. Those relations are based on the similarity of cultures, language, religion, traditions, mutual respect, and principles of equality.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, emphasized that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the development of relations with the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation. Regular high-level meetings contribute to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. Over the past years, a lot of work has been done in the economic, political and other fields. As a result, bilateral relations have been raised to a high level. We are conducting effective work in various fields to further develop Turkmen-Tatar relations. Our Heroic Friend noted that we are achieving good results in this regard.

The favorable investment situation created in Turkmenistan and the growing reputation of the country as a reliable partner in the international space open up great opportunities for continuous promotion of mutually advantageous trade and economic cooperation. The National Leader of the Turkmen people emphasized that we attach great importance to relations with the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation and expressed satisfaction that bilateral cooperation is being developed on the basis of good neighborliness, friendship and equality.

Cultural-humanitarian, scientific-educational, sports relations are also strengthened. In this regard, our Heroic Comrade thanked Rustam Minnihanov for his concern for the students studying in Tatar higher education institutions and confirmed the readiness of our country to further expand cooperation in this field.

The Chairman of the People's Council pointed out that 2025 was declared the "Year of International Peace and Trust" in accordance with the Resolution of the UN General Assembly on the initiative of Turkmenistan, and said that on December 12 of this year, a representative forum will be held in the capital in honor of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. The National Leader of the Turkmen people expressed his sincere respect and invited the guest to participate in this forum and expressed confidence that Rustam Minnihanov's participation in it will greatly contribute to the success of this major international event.

At the end of the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the Leader of the Tatar Republic of the Russian Federation, Rustam Minnihanov, said that this visit will become another important step in strengthening the Turkmen-Tatar relations.

After the meeting, our Heroic Friend and the distinguished guest went to Ashgabat International Airport together. The leader of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnihanov, left here for his homeland.