The oil tanker "Dostluk", gifted by the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, has arrived at the International Seaport of Turkmenbashy. A welcoming ceremony for the vessel was held in a festive atmosphere, the "Watan" news program reported.

As previously reported, the tanker was built at the Baku Shipyard and presented to the Turkmen side as a gesture of friendship on June 22, during the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of the official vessel handover ceremony, the heads of the two states took part in the symbolic commissioning of the tanker: the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan simultaneously pressed a symbolic button, after which the tanker’s departure was displayed on a monitor.Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presented the corresponding certificate to the head of Turkmenistan in a formal ceremony.

Speaking to representatives of the media, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov thanked the Azerbaijani side for the vessel provided and highlighted the personal contribution of President Ilham Aliyev to strengthening bilateral relations.

"We accept this modern vessel as a symbol of the fraternal relations between our peoples," the head of state declared, expressing confidence that the tanker would serve the cause of prosperity for both countries and stand as a testament to successful Turkmen-Azerbaijani cooperation.

Participants in the ceremony at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport noted that the commissioning of the tanker would contribute to increasing cargo turnover volumes and expanding international transit freight transportation across the Caspian.