РУССКИЙ
17:10 11.10.2024 •
Photo: Kremlin.ru
Vladimir Putin attended the plenary meeting of the “Interrelation of Times and Civilisations – Basis of Peace and Development international forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the 300th birth anniversary of Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Pyragy”, October 11, 2024.
Before the meeting, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a welcome ceremony for the heads of delegations attending the international forum.
The Russian delegates attending the event included Deputy Prime Minister and co-chair of the Russian-Turkmen Commission on Economic Cooperation Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Executive Office and Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan Ivan Volynkin, and Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.
Photo: Kremlin.ru
Address by the President of Russia
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
Mr Berdimuhamedov, ladies and gentlemen, friends,
The Interrelation of Times and Civilisations – Basis of Peace and Development international forum, dedicated to the 300th birth anniversary of the outstanding Turkmen thinker, philosopher poet and public figure Magtymguly Pyragy, is of great importance today.
Magtymguly Pyragy is rightfully regarded as a great humanist and the founding figure of Turkmen poetry and literature, with his creative legacy forming an integral part of the world's greatest cultural treasures.
Magtymguly was one of the first to reveal the beauty of the Turkmen language in all its diversity and richness. He had a unique poetic style, expressing thoughts concisely, but with a depth of meaning and aphoristic clarity. Many of his poetic lines became popular catchphrases – aphorisms, proverbs, and sayings. Magtymguly’s books were not only read, they were kept at home as sacred relics.
There is something I would like to highlight: during the Second World War — or, as it was known in the Soviet Union, the Great Patriotic War, relatives of Turkmen soldiers would quote his poems in their letters sent to the frontlines, trying to reassure the warriors and inspire courage and valour. I will quote one of those phrases for you: “All our tribes are marching under the righteous banners from all sides.”
Magtymguly’s works have been translated into Russian. It is reliably known that the poet actually lived for a long time in the village of Funtovo near Astrakhan. The area has been densely populated by Turkmen diaspora groups since the late 17th century to the present day. In 2019, a school built there at Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s initiative was named after Magtymguly. Astrakhan has a monument to Magtymguly; in September, a bust of this outstanding poet was unveiled in Moscow.
Far ahead of his time, Magtymguly never halted his creative and spiritual search and always strove for knowledge and truth. Due to his genius, he was able to anticipate the future of his land and people. In his works, Magtymguly invariably called for purity, justice and equality, not only in relations between individuals, but also between states and nations. A visionary thinker, he advocated the high ideals of friendship and good neighbourliness, and tried to convey these thoughts to future generations, calling for harmony and responsibility, tolerance and understanding, respect and solidarity.
This message remains relevant and meaningful to reasonable people today, and it holds even greater significance amid the current global challenges, when unprecedented threats stem from civilisational divides and ethnic and religious conflicts. International relations have entered an era of profound transformation, and a new world order is emerging that reflects the world's diversity. This process is inevitable and irreversible.
Emerging powerful centres of economic growth, financial, and political influence are increasingly evident, particularly within the Global East and the Global South at large. These newly established centres are committed to preserving and strengthening their sovereignty and socio-cultural identity, while pursuing harmonious development in accordance with their traditions and based on national interests.
In the spirit of Magtymguly's philosophical views, the global majority nations, which both Russia and every other country participating in this forum are part of, advocate for a more equitable distribution of wealth and the consistent democratisation of the international landscape. We firmly believe that universal peace and comprehensive development can only be achieved if every nation's views are taken into account and every state's right to have its own sovereign policy, worldview, traditions, and religious beliefs is respected.
I’d like to emphasise that Russia endorses the broadest possible international dialogue concerning the parameters of interaction in our emerging multipolar world. It is open to discussing the establishment of a new world order with all our friends, partners, and like-minded people, including within the frameworks of the CIS, the EAEU, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and BRICS.
In this context, we are preparing for the forthcoming BRICS and BRICS Plus/Outreach format summits scheduled to be held in Kazan from October 22 to 24. We would most certainly welcome our host, Mr Berdimuhamedov, along with many other leaders attending this forum, to join us at the events in Kazan.
Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity to extend special gratitude to the current leadership of Turkmenistan – the President and the national leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov – for their commitment to the principles articulated by Magtymguly and their significant contribution to maintaining peace and stability in our shared region, as well as to expanding multifaceted cooperation and partnership.
Thank you for your attention.”
Vladimir Putin had a meeting with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian in the capital of Turkmenistan.
Photo: Kremlin.ru
The Russian delegation at the meeting included Deputy-Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office – Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.
The two leaders started their conversation in the presence of their delegations, after which the talks continued in a face-to-face format, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin:
“Mr President, colleagues, friends.
Mr President, I am delighted to have an opportunity to meet you in person and discuss the matters we have on our agenda today.
Our relationship with Iran is a priority for us, and it is developing very successfully. We are seeing growth in trade this year. Although it has not fully recovered from the decline observed last year, the overall trend is positive.
We are actively cooperating on the international arena, and often share close or even converging assessments of the ongoing developments. I am sure that we will discuss this today as well.
Iran became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and joined BRICS. I am looking forward to seeing you in Kazan on October 23 and 24 at the BRICS Summit, where we will also have a bilateral meeting.
Once again, I am very glad to meet you.”
President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian (retranslated):
“I am also delighted to meet with you today.
As you have said, our two countries have been sincere and committed in their efforts to expand their relations, and have been consistently improving their cultural, economic and people-to-people ties.
Considering the will of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, we must ensure that our relations improve and become stronger moving forward. We have many opportunities to achieve this objective, and it is our duty to assist one another in these efforts. We share similar visions, and there are many similarities in terms of our respective international standing.
We also look forward to attending the BRICS Summit, and will do everything needed to approve and sign the documents on its agenda.”
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