Russia, Turkmenistan hold intensive high-level talks - FM

ASHGABAT, February 3. /TASS/. Russia and Central Asia's Turkmenistan are engaged in intensive political dialogue at the highest level, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday after talks with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov. "We have held good talks in Ashgabat with the Turkmen president and the foreign minister," Lavrov said. "We have discussed the whole complex of relationships, including political dialogue, being intensively conducted at the highest level, alongside trade and economic cooperation," he said, noting good work of an intergovernmental commission. "Particular emphasis has been placed on further development of mutually satisfying relationships in humanitarian and cultural spheres," the minister said. The parties discussed international issues and developments in Central Asia, particularly Afghanistan, co-operation within the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Lavrov said, adding that special attention had been paid to celebrations marking 70 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, as well as the 70th anniversary of the UN and the 40th anniversary of the OSCE. "I am very satisfied with the talks and that schedule of foreign ministry consultations we have signed," he said, noting plans for future negotiations aimed at practical coordination of the countries’ positions. Lavrov arrived in Turkmenistan following his visit to China. The Russian foreign minister’s previous trip to the former Soviet republic took place in April 2013. Read more