“Round table” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality held in Astrakhan

On March, 20^th a “round table” dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality was organized at the Caspian Institute for Marine and River Transport (Astrakhan). “Shatlyk” Astrakhan-based regional non-governmental organization planned and promoted the event.

The “round table” was attended by Consul of Turkmenistan in the Russian Federation (Astrakhan) Mr. Ishankuliev M.A., representatives of executive authorities of Astrakhan region and national and cultural societies of the region as well as students from Astrakhan universities.

The spokespersons stressed that choosing neutrality status for the state played a significant role in shaping the modern-day Turkmenistan, having a salubrious impact on further development of the Turkmen nation. Summing up Turkmenistan’s foreign relations, the participants couldn’t leave out the visit by the President of Turkmenistan to Astrakhan to attend the 4^th Caspian Summit, held in Astrakhan last year, putting special emphasis on Astrakhan-Turkmen cooperation, which recently has been enjoying substantial growth.

The participants’ enthusiasm was particularly stirred by the news on the 2^nd Turkmen ferry to operate the “Turkmenbashi - Olya” lines in the nearest future, which will facilitate further growth of transport links between Turkmenistan and Astrakhan.