Russia to bolster strategic partnership with Turkmenistan, Tajikistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that Russia's strategic partnership with Turkmenistan and Tajikistan will further develop as he extended congratulations to the two neighbors on the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties on Saturday.

In two letters respectively to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Putin praised the fruitful cooperation and bilateral agreements in various fields that Russia and the two countries have achieved over the years, underlining that their constructive ties will keep on "contributing to peace and stability in Central Asia."

"I am confident that by working together we will further enhance our mutually beneficial partnership for the benefit of the people of Russia and Turkmenistan." Putin's letter to Berdimuhamedov read according to the Kremlin's website.

In the letter to Rahmon, Putin also spoke highly of the strategic partnership between Russia and Tajikistan, calling for joint efforts in fighting international terrorism.

"I firmly believe that Russia and Tajikistan will continue to strengthen their strategic partnership in all areas, coordinate their efforts in countering international terrorism, extremism, cross-border crime and other challenges to regional security," Putin said.

Both Turkmenistan and Tajikistan established diplomatic ties with Russia in 1992, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Source: Xinhua