State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan, the first President of the Republic Mintimer Shaimiev was awarded commemorative gold and silver badges of Turkmenistan "300 years of Makhtumkuli Fragi".

The awards were presented on May 15 by the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia Esen Aydogdyev on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

As reported on the website of the Turkmen diplomatic mission, this event became an indicator of recognition of the outstanding contribution of Mintimer Shaimiev to the foundation of relations of friendship, brotherhood and effective economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Tatarstan and Turkmenistan, his merits in strengthening and developing the interstate Turkmen-Russian strategic partnership.

Esen Aidogdyev, warmly congratulating Mintimer Shaimiev on the presentation of the commemorative signs, on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan and the National Leader of the Turkmen people wished him good health, inexhaustible energy and new successes in his multifaceted political and social activities, the source notes.