On October 8, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States Sergey Lebedev, who arrived in our country to take part in the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet, Sergey Lebedev stressed that the Commonwealth highly values Turkmenistan’s support for developing cooperation and multifaceted dialogue within the CIS. In this regard, it was noted that our country takes an active and proactive stance in strengthening economic and humanitarian relations across the Commonwealth. The CIS Secretary General took the opportunity to convey warm greetings to Hero-Arkadag, noting the significant contribution of the National Leader of the Turkmen people to expanding traditional cooperation among the organization’s member states.
Warmly welcoming the guest, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished success to the upcoming meeting of the Commonwealth’s Council of Heads of State, which will serve as a platform for exchanging views on a wide range of international issues, and expressed confidence that its outcomes would make a significant contribution to the further development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation across the CIS.
It was noted that partnership within the Commonwealth of Independent States is one of the important areas of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. As an associate member of the CIS, Turkmenistan advocates stepping up effective cooperation within the Commonwealth, which has solid potential and opportunities in a wide variety of fields.
Our country actively participates in summits, meetings and events held within the CIS, cooperates broadly in the economy, trade, culture and sports, and advocates further coordination of efforts in transport and energy.
As part of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States this year, our country has hosted important events, including the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government, the 84th meeting of the Council for Railway Transport of the CIS Member States, and meetings of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers and the Council for Cultural Cooperation of the CIS Member States.
Our country supports strengthening direct contacts between figures in culture, the arts and science, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted, adding that special attention during Turkmenistan’s CIS chairmanship this year has been paid to developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
In this context, the Avaza National Tourist Zone is currently hosting a meeting of the heads of state and public television and radio broadcasting organizations of the CIS, an awards ceremony for the winners of the Interstate Television Film Competition “Flight of the Steed: Power and Grace”, and a Festival of National Cuisine, including an exhibition of the CIS member states. These events are intended to showcase the rich cultural and historical heritage and strengthen humanitarian ties between the peoples of the Commonwealth countries.
The Head of State expressed his conviction that further expanding cultural and humanitarian contacts and regularly holding joint festivals, Days of Culture and film weeks will deepen the traditional relations of friendship and mutual respect between the peoples of our countries. It was emphasized that Turkmenistan intends to continue actively developing these ties to achieve constructive results that will make a significant contribution to strengthening friendship and good-neighborliness among the CIS member states.
President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the entire staff of the CIS Executive Committee, and Sergey Lebedev in particular, for their joint work and successful coordination of efforts in organizing the upcoming Commonwealth Summit.
At the end of the meeting, the Head of State and the CIS Secretary General exchanged good wishes, expressing confidence that multilateral cooperation within the CIS will continue to develop successfully and be filled with new substance.
State News Agency of Turkmenistan
