On May 13, 2026, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov departed for a visit to the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.At the Kazan Gabdulla Tukay International Airport, the National Leader of the Turkmen people was warmly welcomed by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov and members of the official delegation of Turkmenistan.In the afternoon, a one-on-one meeting was held between the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and the Head of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.Once again warmly welcoming the distinguished Turkmen guest, Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the Hero-Arkadag for accepting the invitation and noted the significance of bilateral cooperation, which has been steadily developing over many years.Expressing gratitude for the invitation and the hospitality shown, the Hero-Arkadag emphasized that Turkmenistan and Tatarstan are bound by deep historical roots, as well as shared cultural and spiritual values.The interlocutors paid special attention to the effectiveness of joint projects being implemented in various fields. At the same time, emphasis was placed on the importance of expanding the scope of cooperation. As highlighted, regular visits and negotiations conducted at the highest level provide a powerful impetus to identifying new areas of collaboration.Following the conclusion of the one-on-one meeting, an official meeting took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag, and the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov, with the participation of delegation members from both countries.Once again expressing gratitude to the distinguished guest for accepting the invitation, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the current visit of the Hero-Arkadag to Tatarstan is viewed as an important event, destined to become another testament to the inviolability of friendly relations and strategic cooperation.Along with this, the Head of Tatarstan emphasized that the large-scale transformations initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and now successfully implemented under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov serve as a reliable foundation for combining efforts for the benefit of the two peoples, and, taking this opportunity, extended warm greetings and best wishes to the Head of Turkmenistan.Expressing gratitude for the invitation and the hospitality shown, the Hero-Arkadag noted that participation in international forums organized in Kazan has become a fine tradition for the Turkmen side. In the capital of Tatarstan, we are always welcomed with special respect and warmth, the National Leader of the Turkmen people continued, and, taking this opportunity, conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to Rustam Minnikhanov from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.The XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum–2026", currently taking place, clearly confirms the steadily growing international prestige of Tatarstan, said the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, cordially congratulating Rustam Minnikhanov and the people of the friendly country on the designation of Kazan as the cultural capital of the Islamic world this year and wishing success to the forum.Special attention was paid to the partnership in such promising areas as digitalization and high technologies.Along with this, it was emphasized that cooperation is successfully developing in sectors such as the oil and gas industry, manufacturing, and transport logistics. The operation of regular flights between Ashgabat and Kazan was cited as a key factor in boosting business and people-to-people contacts.Speaking on the need to further strengthen direct contacts between the educational institutions of the two countries, the Hero-Arkadag spoke in favor of the feasibility of holding the final of the "Tatar Kyzy – 2026" contest in Ashgabat.The Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov, noting the significance of bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation, said that he supported this proposal of the Hero-Arkadag.At the conclusion of the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag and the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov expressed confidence that the current visit will make a great contribution to strengthening strategic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Russia, wishing peace, well-being, and prosperity to the peoples of the two countries.The visit of the Hero-Arkadag continues.