On December 26, 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to the Russian Federation, where he took part in the informal Summit of the Heads of the Commonwealth of Independent States, TDH reports.

 The summit was also attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

 Before the meeting, the heads of the CIS member states visited the sights of St. Petersburg, in particular, the Pavlovsk, Tsarskoe Selo and Peterhof museum-reserves.

 In the afternoon, an informal summit took place at the State Congress Palace complex, located in the Constantine Palace.  Opening the summit, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for the accepted invitation to visit St. Petersburg to participate in the Summit.  During the speech, a brief analysis of the results of the work carried out during the current year was given and the key areas of joint activities in the CIS format for the near future were identified.

 As noted, in general, 2023 was a fruitful and productive year for the Commonwealth.  This is confirmed by the fact that all the foreseen events were successfully carried out, and the agreements reached are designed to promote the further expansion of cooperation between friendly countries in all areas, the implementation of new mutually beneficial economic, transport, logistics, cultural, humanitarian and other projects.

 Considering the CIS as a unique platform for building long-term partnerships, our country regularly puts forward specific proposals, the main goal of which is to develop effective forms of interaction that are in demand over time.

 In this context, it should be recalled that during the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS, held on October 13 of this year, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov put forward new constructive initiatives, the practical implementation of which is designed to give impetus to interstate relations in the CIS format, as well as ensure security, stability and sustainable development  not only in the Commonwealth space, but also in the world.

The priority area of partnership within the Commonwealth is the economy.  Noting the importance of promoting the economic interests of the CIS beyond its geographical boundaries, integrating neighboring countries and neighboring regions into joint projects, the Turkmen side has repeatedly taken initiatives to diversify energy, transport and communication components in the context of the development of large-scale infrastructure corridors North-South and East-West.  The CIS states, united by geography and age-old relations of friendship and brotherhood, in the modern era have objective advantages, the optimal use of which is in the interests of general well-being.

 Recently, at the 49th plenary meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, held on December 19 this year, the Resolutions presented by Turkmenistan – “The key role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development” and “Strengthening connections between all modes of transport for  Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”, co-authored by Commonwealth partner countries.

 At the current summit, special emphasis was placed on the importance of giving the traditional partnership a qualitatively new content, based on the common goals and objectives.

 During the exchange of views on priority areas of interaction, the heads of state expressed their firm confidence that the decisions made and agreements reached this year within the framework of various forums, events and meetings will contribute to the deepening of interstate relations in the CIS space.

 In general, the current summit meeting in an informal format, at which issues of both the regional and international agenda were discussed, became another confirmation of the desire of the CIS member countries to continue to jointly build cooperation in the Commonwealth space in the spirit of strategic partnership, mutual benefit and consideration  interests of all states.

 At the end of the working visit, Serdar Berdimuhamedov flew to Ashgabat.  He was met at the airport by the Russian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin, who congratulated the President on a successful visit.  The diplomat noted that the participation of the head of Turkmenistan in the summit indicates productively developing relations between the CIS countries.  Confidence was also expressed in the further strengthening of the traditionally friendly Turkmen-Russian cooperation.