Russian president Vladimir Putin holds bilateral meeting with Turkmen counterpart

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan, October 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit, held a bilateral meeting with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Following the official dinner, Putin held a bilateral meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The heads of state discussed key current issues concerning the dynamically developing bilateral Russian-Turkmen relations," Peskov said.

The two leaders met at the Avaza complex.

Avaza is a national tourist zone on Turkmenistan’s Caspian coast, located near the city of Turkmenbashi.

Putin and Berdimuhamedov are in regular contact. Their latest phone conversation took place just recently, when the Turkmen president personally congratulated the Russian leader on his birthday the previous day.

Despite their frequent phone contacts, Putin and Berdimuhamedov invariably take the opportunity to compare notes during in-person meetings as well.

The Russian president last visited Turkmenistan less than a year ago. Putin then took part in the major international forum "Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future," held to mark the 30th anniversary of the republic’s permanent neutrality.