Kazakh Ambassador to Turkmenistan Murat Atanov passes away

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan, Murad Mardanovich Atanov, aged 56, suddenly died on 31 May 2008. M.M.Atanov joined the diplomatic service in 1992 bringing with him extensive experience in the field of science and state affairs.

"Working at the high diplomatic post in Turkmenistan as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan since December 2005, M.M.Atanov made a worthy contribution to further developing and strengthening the relations between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. An outstanding diplomat with academic background has passed away. He made a significant contribution to strengthening the international reputation of his country and increasing the productive Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation," Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and members of the Turkmen government said in an obituary.

"Offering our sincere condolences to the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relatives and friends of Murat Mardanovich Atanov, we will always remember and keep the blessed memory of him as a kind and sympathetic person, talented academic and flawless diplomat," the obituary said.

On June 1, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and members of the Turkmen government paid a visit to the family of the deceased and extended sympathies and words of support to the diplomat relatives, noting his contribution to strengthening the bilateral interstate relations, the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Ashgabat.

The president of Turkmenistan also noted that being a highly-educated man and a born diplomat, Murat Mardanovich Atanov represented his country in a perfect manner, making a great contribution to strengthening friendship and fraternity between the two peoples.

"Over the years of work in Turkmenistan, Murat Atanov has gained enormous respect and authority both among his colleagues and all those who he happened to meet and work with. We will remember him in our hearts as a true son of brotherly Kazakh people," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.