Moscow seeks dialogue with Turkmenistan on situation in Central Asia - Lavrov

ASHGABAT, February 3. /TASS/. Russia is interested in a dialogue with Turkmenistan on the situation in the Central Asian region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday at talks with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov. Earlier on Tuesday, Lavrov held talks with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow during which the sides focused on bilateral relations in the context of presidents’ agreements and discussed further contacts. "We appreciate our dialogue and its political, trade and economic as well as investment emphasis," Lavrov said, also noting that Russia particularly seeks to talk the situation in international affairs. This discussion should focus on the common region, cooperation as part of the United Nations and events related to the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Victory in World War II, as well as the 70th anniversary of the UN and the 40th anniversary of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). "This is a good chance to assess where the mankind stands so that the world should become more fair and predictable," Lavrov said. In his turn, Meredov said Lavrov’s visit to Turkmenistan allows the sides to exchange views on cooperation and also bilateral and international issues. "We regard your visit as a very important and significant moment in relations," Meredov said, noting progress in bilateral ties. Lavrov arrived in Turkmenistan following his visit to China. The Russian foreign minister’s previous visit to the former Soviet republic took place in April 2013. Read more