Rustam Minnikhanov meets with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. The meeting took place in Ashkhabad in the Palace complex of Turkmenistan President “Oguzkhan”.

Rustam Minnikhanov arrived in Ashkhabad today’s afternoon to participate in solemn opening of international conference “Nawruz – the holiday of peace and humanism”.

Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov welcomed Rustam Minnikhanov and said that Nowruz is a big holiday that was included in UNESCO non-material heritage list in 2009 and since then has been celebrated as the international holiday.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov continued that good bilateral relations had been established between Turkmenistan and Russia, including the Republic of Tatarstan.

“We have much in common with Tatarstan,- similar culture, language and traditions,” he said. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for participation in solemn events dedicated to Nowruz holiday.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Turkmenistan President for invitation to visit the country and take part in Nowruz celebrations. He also conveyed greetings to Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that on March 19 Vladimir Putin visited Kazan in order to attend events dedicated to preparation for summer Universiade 2013.

Rustam Minnikhanov said that there are all opportunities for developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan in economic, educational and cultural spheres.

Delegations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tadjikistan, Turkish Republic, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan will participate in Nawruz celebrations in Ashkhabad.