On December 25, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left for a working visit to the Russian Federation to participate in the informal Summit of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States, traditionally held on the eve of the New Year. At the Ashgabat International Airport, the head of Turkmenistan was seen off by officials.

As reported by TDH, after flying to St. Petersburg, the presidential airliner landed at Pulkovo International Airport. Here, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was met by officials.

In the afternoon, the head of Turkmenistan proceeded to the Ice Palace of the Igora Winter Sports Complex. This large Complex is a multifunctional venue for competitions and training of professional and amateur athletes, active recreation, as well as for holding events of various levels. The Ice Palace, which is part of its infrastructure, includes an ice arena, a conference area and other facilities intended for sports and cultural leisure.

In the foyer of the Ice Palace, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The participants of the summit were invited to the Olympic Hall of the Ice Palace, where an informal CIS Summit was held.

Opening the meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin once again warmly greeted his foreign colleagues, expressing gratitude to everyone for accepting the invitation to visit St. Petersburg to participate in the informal pre-New Year Summit.

During the Summit, the results of the Commonwealth’s activities for the current year were analyzed, priority areas of cooperation and tasks for the coming period were identified. At the same time, positive indicators of economic partnership were noted with satisfaction. The subject of an interested exchange of opinions also became topical issues of the regional and global agenda.

It was noted that all these years the Commonwealth countries have been steadily following the course of equal mutually beneficial cooperation based on constant goodwill, mutual respect and trust.

The current Summit has become another confirmation of the common desire of the CIS states to bring fruitful cooperation to a new level that meets modern realities and the existing impressive potential.

Of course, the priority area of partnership in the Commonwealth is the trade and economic sphere. Turkmenistan pays great attention to deepening and diversifying productive ties in this area. This is confirmed by the Declaration on Strategic Economic Cooperation of the CIS Member States, adopted following the Commonwealth of Independent States Summit held in Ashgabat in October 2019.

Among the key tasks of the present time are also increasing mutual trade, increasing the volume of trade, developing long-term ties in the industrial sector, digital transformation, stimulating investment and business activity.

And of course, the humanitarian sphere has been and remains an important area of interaction in the CIS format. The cultural interconnection and spiritual closeness of the peoples of our countries, centuries-old common history are the solid foundation on which integration processes are built within the Commonwealth.

President Vladimir Putin invited the heads of state of the CIS to take part in the upcoming celebrations in Moscow next year on the occasion of a significant anniversary – the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. As was emphasized, during the harsh war years, our peoples demonstrated unparalleled heroism and courage at the front and in the rear, and the Commonwealth countries sacredly honor this immortal feat.

Using the opportunity, the head of the Russian Federation also conveyed to all citizens of the CIS countries his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of the upcoming New Year.

An informal dinner was given in honor of the distinguished guests on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation.

Upon completion of the program of the working visit to the Russian Federation, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the Pulkovo International Airport in St. Petersburg, from where he departed for his homeland.

At the Ashgabat International Airport, the head of state was met by officials.