OREANDA-NEWS. March 19, 2010. The state visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Tajikistan has started today.

This is the second visit that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pays to the neighboring state in recent years in compliance with the foreign policy strategy of the Turkmen state for strengthening the age-old traditions friendship and good neighbourliness which stand as a critical factor of regional and global security in the new epoch. However, particular emphasis is put on the expansion of bilateral relationships with the neighbouring countries including Tajikistan.

The top level meeting in Dushanbe that promises the new, quite important positive steps toward each other and the common future will evidence it. The leaders of the friendly states are expected to discuss the progress in implementing the bilateral agreements and exchange views on a wide range of the issues relating to the prospects for further expansion of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in the regional and international formats, in particular in the framework of the international organisations.

Built during the years of independence the firm legal framework providing all conditions conducive to implementing effectively the top level and government agreements serves as the reliable platform for consistently maintaining the intergovernmental dialogue, the modern history of which is traced back to January 1993 when Turkmenistan and Tajikistan established the diplomatic relations. The package of the documents signed upon the results of the summit held during the Turkmen leader’s visit to Tajikistan in October 2007 – the visit which became a key landmark in the history of dynamically developing intergovernmental relations is quite illustrative in this regard. These documents include the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation between Turkmenistan and Tajikistan which has strategic importance for further enhancement of the traditional partnership built on equality and mutual benefit.

The reciprocal visits by the leaders of the states, the regular meetings of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Tajik commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation established on Turkmenistan’s initiative and the exchange visits of the delegations of two countries – all this conclusively evidence the mutual interest of Turkmenistan and Tajikistan in steadily enhancing political, economic and humanitarian cooperation based on the long-standing, centuries-old traditions of friendship and the profound potential of partnership.

Because of geographical proximity the two neighbouring countries are bound not only by economic cooperation, which is successfully developed today in several key fields, but also the age-old historical ties, the mentality of the Turkmen and Tajik peoples, the common cultural and spiritual values. Standing steadfast today to the fundamental tenets of good neighbourliness Turkmenistan come at the first summons providing substantial support to the neighbour. That is proved by the humanitarian aid sent in severe winter weather conditions last month to Tajikistan.

The high level of understanding between the leadership of two countries, effective long-term cooperation and convergence of views on major international and regional issues allowed forecasting the brilliant future of the constructive and fruitful Turkmen-Tajik dialogue, which will certainly receive a powerful impetus to develop during the Turkmen leader’s visit to the Republic of Tajikistan.