Putin proposes talks on developing trade at meeting with Berdimuhamedow
ASHGABAT. Oct 2 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated the need to discuss the development of Russia-Turkmenistan trade ties at a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.
"We need to discuss what should be done to develop trade ties," Putin said.
The Russian-Turkmen trade is on decline, so the current meeting is timely, he said.
Putin also congratulated Berdimuhamedow on successfully holding the Asian Games in Turkmenistan, calling this sport competition a great event.
Ashgabat attaches great significance to Putin's visit, Berdimuhamedow said noting that a substantive legal base, "which has a strategic nature," has been worked out over the years of interaction between Russia and Turkmenistan. Current inter-parliamentary contacts between the two countries are also good, he said. Berdimuhamedow thanked Putin for his personal contribution into the development of bilateral relations and wished all the best to "the great Russian people."
Prior to the narrow-format talks, the two leaders met in a hall of the presidential palace in a solemn atmosphere. A military orchestra welcomed Putin by playing the Russian anthem, after which the Turkmen anthem was performed. The two leaders inspected the guard of honor, and the presidents welcomed members of delegations and took pictures in front of their countries' flags.