Russian diplomatic service celebrates anniversary
This year 2022 is rich in round diplomatic dates. In April, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan will cross the thirty-year milestone of bilateral relations as independent and sovereign states, September will mark 220 years since the establishment of the Russian Foreign Ministry, and today, February 10, marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin as an official holiday of the Russian diplomatic service - Day of the Diplomatic Worker.
The modern Russian diplomatic service consists of more than 230 foreign missions around the world that put into practice the tasks set by the country's leadership. At the present time, when humanity is facing a whole range of new challenges and threats, Russia continues to play an important role in the international arena and bears a special responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
The priority direction of the foreign policy of the Russian Federation remains the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States, with which Russia is actively developing mutually beneficial political, economic and humanitarian contacts. Historically, we have developed traditions of coexistence and unique mutual understanding. This fully applies to Turkmenistan as well.
We are close to the approaches of Turkmenistan to international problems, the desire to solve them in the spirit of peace and trust. Therefore, we congratulate our Turkmen colleagues with special warmth on their professional holiday, which will be celebrated on February 18.
Today, when the world community is facing new challenges and threats, Russian diplomacy is implementing modern multilateral approaches. In this context, the equal cooperation of states on such “platforms” as the UN, OSCE, SCO, BRICS, CIS, as well as within other international and regional organizations remains in demand and has always been at the heart of the modern Russian diplomatic service.
We continue to develop public, cultural and scientific diplomacy in line with global trends. We continue to participate in organizing the supply of “Sputnik V” and “Sputnik Light” coronavirus vaccines, which have proven their effectiveness and safety.
Over the thirty years of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan, strong equal ties have been formed between our countries, secured by international agreements. In 2002, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, and in 2017, the Treaty on Strategic Partnership. In total, more than 100 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements have been signed.
The peaceful foreign policy pursued by Russia and Turkmenistan, based on the universally recognized norms of international law, ensures our productive cooperation on various multilateral platforms. Russia has repeatedly become a co-author of the UN General Assembly resolutions put forward by Turkmenistan. In turn, our Turkmen partners also supported a number of Russian initiatives, including the traditional resolution of the UN General Assembly "Combating the Glorification of Nazism."
Despite the pandemic, regular political dialogue continues at all levels. The Intergovernmental Russian-Turkmen Commission on Economic Cooperation at the level of vice-premiers and the High-Level Group for Trade and Investment Support functioning under it, as well as meetings of the IGC co-chairs determine the directions for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation and allow prompt resolution of any disputes.
The agenda of this anniversary year promises to be very eventful. We are actively preparing new visits, bilateral agreements aimed at expanding the potential for cooperation. Cooperation in the field of information and biological security is going well. Tatarstan, St. Petersburg and the Astrakhan region set a good example for the Russian regions in how to develop contacts with Turkmenistan.
Russian-Turkmen humanitarian ties remain an integral part of our cooperation. We will continue sending students to study who have entered universities within the quota allocated by the Russian Government. We plan to expand cooperation in the field of mass media.
The truly fraternal nature of Russian-Turkmen relations, which was founded thirty years ago, was once again confirmed during the pandemic. In this difficult time, Russia and Turkmenistan extended a helping hand to each other. We will continue to make every effort together with our Turkmen partners to bring our relations to new frontiers and fill them with new content.
Alexander BLOKHIN,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
Russian Federation in Turkmenistan
