Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, April 9 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sent a message to Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in connection with the 20th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of signing the bilateral treaty on friendship and cooperation.
"I am convinced that the further strengthening of multifaceted ties fully responds the interests of the citizens of both countries, promotes the peace and stability in Central Asia," the message says.
The Russian president said that it is important to work together to realize significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and economy, as well as in cultural and humanitarian sphere, regional and international affairs, including Turkmenistan's presidency in the CIS.
President Medvedev also said that over the years, Turkmenistan has achieved great success in socio-economic field. "Your country's positions and authority significantly strengthened in the world arena," the message says.
Multifaceted Russian-Turkmen relations become more meaningful. The treaty of friendship and cooperation covering the principles of mutual respect, the strengthening of good neighborly relations and the expansion of ties in a wide range of areas is significant for further dynamic development.
The cooperation in the field of fuel and energy complex is a strategic direction in the relations between the two countries.
Turkmen gas is supplied to Russia via the Central Asia - Center gas pipeline through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. "Gazprom" (Russia) is a customer. It signed a 25-year gas purchase agreement with Turkmenistan for 25 years in 2003.
At present, the Central Asia - Center gas pipeline does not work at full capacity. Russia has reduced the purchase up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas under the influence of the global recession since 2010, or 4 times less than in 2008.
Russian companies participate in the development of Turkmen hydrocarbon resources. Russian Itera and "Zarubezhneft" work on one of the blocks in the Caspian Sea shelf within the production sharing agreement.