Eight years ago, Vladimir Putin, who had just become the president of the Russian state, made his first international visits to the CIS countries. The new Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev, preserving his predecessor’s preferences in the foreign policy, did not start “discovering Americas” in the direct and indirect sense of a word, and in fact followed Vladimir Putin’s route he had made eight years before. Like eight years ago, visiting Ashgabat was among the priority trips in the itinerary of the Russian president.

Not only is the stability of the foreign policy course of Moscow considering Ashgabat its strategic partner important. Present-day Turkmenistan is one of the most promising partners in the long-term cooperation not only for Russia. A country with the richest hydrocarbon resources, rapidly developing economy and permanent stability of the society is a preferable object for developing international cooperation. And the customary openness and impartiality that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demonstrated in the foreign policy in the last one year and a half arouse interest of many members of the world community. It is not difficult to assume that favorable economic prospects push many of them to look for a place under the sun in the favorable Turkmen market. Today, Ashgabat that does not accept gaining a momentary political advantage is ready to consider various economic cooperation development proposals and reserves the right to select the most beneficial and effective ones.

In its cooperation with Ashgabat, Moscow has some undisputable advantages before numerous international competitors. According to the annually growing trade turnover rates, Russia remains Turkmenistan’s biggest international partner. The common economic and technological past simplifies the scientific, technical and trade dialogue between these two countries today. Nowadays, 113 enterprises with Russian capital are operating in Turkmenistan and 116 projects are being implemented with participation of Russian companies in the country. The high level of interpersonal trustworthy relations with the Turkmen president that Dmitriy Medvedev “inherited” from Vladimir Putin is an important winning circumstance. The current Russian leader has managed to make the most of the whole number of these advantages and consolidate the firmness of positions of Moscow through the constructive dialogue with Ashgabat during the July visit to the capital of Turkmenistan.

Knowing in advance about the dates of the visit that fell on the hottest month of summer, one could assume that Dmitriy Medvedev and numerous members of his team would have to stand the test of the Ashgabat heat. However, the weather, as if in token of special disposition to the event, unexpectedly had mercy on the guests and instead of usual 45 degrees in the shade lowered the temperature by some ten points.

The previous meeting between Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev had taken place not long before the Ashgabat meeting - during the CIS summit in St. Petersburg. That meeting was constructive to the highest extent. It served as a prologue to the businesslike and maximum saturated negotiations of the sides under the hospitable dome of the President’s Palace in Ashgabat.

It is important to note that heads of relevant ministries and departments maintaining active business relations with the Turkmen partners as well as a number of CEOs of such major companies as Gazprom, Lukoil, Tatneft, Itera accompanied Dmitriy Medvedev to Ashgabat. Besides, the heads of Russian regions interested in maintaining solid trade, economic and cultural ties with Turkmenistan were members of the imposing Russian delegation – President Mintimer Shaimiev of Tatarstan, President Kirsan Ilumzhinov of Kalmykia, Governor Alexander Zhilkin of Astrakhan Oblast, and Governor Valentina Matvienko of St Petersburg. All of this demonstrated the Russian side’s serious intentions and lay reliable foundations for the long term program of cooperation in the wide range of areas.

Both presidents had enough time to discuss the most urgent important issues of cooperation and set specific measures for implementation of joint plans in the face-to-face format and in the presence of delegations. The Turkmen side confirmed its commitment to the assumed obligations to supply natural gas to Russia till 2025. Having paid special attention to the plans of realization of the Caspian gas pipeline construction project, which commissioning will substantially increase Turkmen natural gas supplies to Russia, the sides stressed the necessity to boost the capacity of transport links. They agreed to open direct railway and ferry services between the port of Turkmenbashi and Russian ports of Astrakhan and Mahachkala.

Stirring up of activities of intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian commission on economic cooperation should promote further growth of the trade turnover. First Vice-Premier of the Russian Government Vladimir Zubkov heads the Commission from the Russian side.

Special attention during the talks was paid to the cultural and humanitarian aspects of cooperation. It was decided to hold Days of Russian Culture in Turkmenistan and Days of Turkmen Culture in the Russian Federation in 2009-2010.

Having discussed important international issues, the sides shared common views and stances on the main problems of the contemporary world. President Medvedev highly appreciated the international importance of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asian countries opened in Ashgabat. He emphasized this unique structure may become an effective instrument of maintaining peace and security in the region.

Upon concluding the negotiations, two states signed the Protocol between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and Federal Agency for Education of the Russian Federation on establishment of the branch of I.M.Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas in Ashgabat, Memorandum on cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation for 2008-2010, Intergovernmental Agreement on the mutual protection of secret information, Program of Cooperation between two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2008-2009, and Interdepartmental Agreement on cooperation in the sphere of education.

A series of business negotiations at the interdepartmental level, in which the members of government delegations and representatives of business circles participated, took place after the official talks. For instance, at the meeting of the chairman of Turkmenneft State Concern with OAO Tatneft, the sides discussed introduction of advanced technologies to the sector and use of the experience of the Tatar oilmen.

Having visited the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan, Governor of St Petersburg Valentina Matvienko expressed readiness to provide assistance in training of qualified medical personnel in the relevant higher educational establishments of the northern capital of Russia.

The leadership of the biggest Russian motor car construction holding UK Group GAZ discussed opportunities of large-scale supplies of buses of different modification in the Ministry of Motor Transport of Turkmenistan.

Participation of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev in the opening ceremony of the KAMAZ Training and Service Center in the Turkmen capital became a special occasion of the visitation program. The service center of the biggest Russian manufacturer of trucks designed to provide annual overall maintenance for 1000 trucks has been constructed in less than a year. This Center has no match in Central Asia with regard to its technical equipment and production capacity. In addition to the deliveries of state-of-the-art machines and its technical maintenance, including diagnostics and overhaul, the Center will train Turkmen specialists – drivers and repairmen.

As is known, during the recent visit to the Republic of Tatarstsan the Turkmen President personally drove a rally KAMAZ truck. Speaking to the participants of the ceremony, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov shared his impressions from driving the mighty truck and expressed confidence these machines would easily solve the most complicated tasks in the conditions of the extreme Turkmen climate.

In turn, Dmitriy Medvedev noted that the Training and Service Center is an excellent example of how a Russian enterprise should establish its presence in the Turkmen market. He stressed that the technological capacities of Russia will always be open for such an interested partner as Turkmenistan.

Speaking about the significance of the first trip of Dmitriy Medvedev to Turkmenistan, one can’t help noticing the business and practical result-oriented atmosphere of the visit as a whole. The summit did not produce sensations, and it was not aimed at it. The leaders of two countries met to “synchronize watches” in the regime of permanent interaction. The watches are not slow.

FIRST TIME IN ASHGABAT

The Turkmen capital’s charm and beauty received worthy appreciations of the members of the imposing Russian delegation

In the frames of Dmitriy Medvedev’s first visit to the Turkmen capital, the program of stay envisioned a tour of the city. The Russian President did not hide his genuine interest in Ashgabat, on which beauty he could judge by the opinion of others.

It is noteworthy that the guest directly contributed to landscaping works in the Turkmen capital. After Dmitriy Medvedev laid flowers to the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, he walked to the Guests of Honor Alley where he planted a tree, having added the green color to the emerald framing of Ashgabat’s parks and streets.

The exposition of the Museum of the first president of independent Turkmenistan aroused the Russian president’s great interest. Dmitriy Medvedev paid tribute to the founder of the Turkmen state by visiting Kipchak village and laying wreaths to the family mausoleum of the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi.

The Russian president will likely to remember the Equestrian Sports Complex near Ashgabat where he not only watched the colorful performance of Turkmen djigits (jockeys) on Ahalteke horses but became an owner of the elite golden-bay three-year-old stallion Gerchek. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made this wonderful present to his Russian counterpart in token of sincere friendship and respect.

A large group of Russian officials accompanying Dmitriy Medvedev also received an opportunity to go sightseeing, visit the picturesque corners of the Turkmen capital and get acquainted with its places of interest. They willingly shared their impressions with the correspondent of the Turkmenistan magazine.

BELOW IS WHAT THE TURKMEN CAPITAL’S GUESTS SAID:

Valentina Matvienko, Governor of Saint Petersburg:

“My first visit to Ashgabat was four years ago. Now I am astonished how many changes have been made in the city in such a short period, how many new modern buildings, streets and park complexes have appeared. I am very glad the specialists from St Petersburg will, probably, soon take part in the improvement of Ashgabat’s service infrastructure. Just recently, we have received Ashgabat’ mayor in St Petersburg and offered the advanced technologies of road construction and water treatment systems. The expertise and experience of our companies may be useful for the Turkmen capital”.
Mintimer SHAIMIEV, President of the Republic of Tatarstan:

“Nowadays, Ashgabat is one of the most beautiful and landscaped capitals of the world. Don’t think I am flattering you. It’s my life experience that allows me to talk about town-building as an expert. I’ve seen many cities and have never come across that the single construction standard was applied for office and residential buildings. In Ashgabat all new buildings are coated with marble! To my mind, it is the first case in the world town-building practice. I am visiting the Turkmen capital for the first time and looking forward to my new trip to Ashgabat soon to have an opportunity to familiarize with this wonderful city in more details”.

Alexander ZHILKIN, Governor of Astrakhan Oblast:

“It is pleasant feel the friendly atmosphere of the Turkmen capital. Every time I come to Ashgabat is if to see my relatives and sincere friends. The annually improving appearance of the city only adds to the atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Each such meeting is like a dearest gift of fate. As a return present, I have brought the good news for the Turkmen friends: soon the Astrakhan shipyard will finish the construction of two vessels for Turkmenistan. We will launch and deliver them to the Turkmen shores this fall. I believe I will come to the Turkmen capital with such good news many times”.

Kirsan ILUMZHINOV, President of the Republic of Kalmykia:

“My first visit to Ashgabat was about 15 years ago. This time I could not believe my eyes. How could it possible to build such a big beauty and garden city in such short historical time?! Every edifice is a palace! Every architectural decision is a true work of art! I hope a palace for chess amateurs will emerge in the Turkmen capital eventually. I am sure there are many admirers of this most ancient of highly intellectual games among citizens of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan as a whole. It can’t be otherwise: the land, where the name of outstanding ancient chess player, As-Suli, is revered, must preserve centuries-long chess traditions by definition”.

Mikhail PEREPLESNIN, Ashgabat-Moscow