Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 11 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Turkmenistan is committed to the traditionally friendly constructive partnership with Russia, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at a meeting with Russian Ambassador Igor Blatov, who is completing his diplomatic mission.
"The Turkmen-Russian cooperation, built on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, has broad prospects for its further activation," the diplomat said.
Berdimuhamedov also stressed that Turkmen-Russian relations have been built on a long-term basis and have considerable potential.
The parties consider trade, energy, transportation, telecommunications, agribusiness, construction, education and others as the promising spheres for the partnership.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has appointed Alexander Blokhin as the new ambassador in Turkmenistan.
Blokhin previously served as ambassador to Azerbaijan, Belarus, Australia.
Russia is a major trading partner of Turkmenistan. Vooperation with Tatarstan, St. Petersburg and the Astrakhan region has recently intensified.
Multimillion-contracts have been signed with these regions to supply construction equipment, to repair ships and to modernize road and transport infrastructure.
Turkmen gas supplies to Russia were halted in April 2009 and resumed in early 2010.