A telephone conversation took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko.

First of all, Hero Arkadag congratulated the Speaker of the upper house of the Parliament of the Russian Federation on the anniversary and the award of the title of Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people stressed that this highest award is recognition of Valentina Matvienko's excellent work over many years in various government positions, as well as her feasible contribution to the comprehensive development of Russia, and, taking this opportunity, expressed great gratitude to the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for her sincerely friendly and trusting attitude towards Turkmenistan.

The Arkadag hero sincerely wished Valentina Matvienko good health, happiness, great success in a high state post, and prosperity and progress to the friendly people of the Russian Federation.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that Russia has always been and remains a good neighbor, friend and strategic partner for Turkmenistan.

Expressing gratitude to the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan for congratulations and good wishes, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko stressed the high importance of Turkmen-Russian relations, noting the firm commitment to the course of deepening traditionally friendly ties between the peoples of the two states.

The heads of the highest representative bodies of the people's power of both states paid special attention to further building up the interstate dialogue in a wide range of areas. In this context, it was noted that in recent years bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, transport and agriculture has received a new development.

Active partnership in the cultural and humanitarian sphere and consistently implemented interparliamentary contacts became separate topics of discussion.

At the same time, it was emphasized that the established direct ties between Turkmenistan and the largest constituent entities of the Russian Federation increase the potential of interstate cooperation and fill it with new content.

At the end of the telephone conversation, noting that Valentina Matvienko is a long-time friend and honorary citizen of the city of Ashgabat, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty once again expressed sincere gratitude to the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for the constant friendly and trusting attitude towards Turkmenistan.

He expressed firm confidence in strengthening a full-scale strategic partnership in the interests of the two friendly countries, the interlocutors exchanged best wishes to each other and the fraternal peoples of both states.