President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov awarded his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan the Order of Turkmenistan Hyzmatdaşlygy ösdürmäge goşandy üçin (“For Contribution to Development of Cooperation”). The award ceremony took place today after the end of the Turkmen-Turkish talks in Ashgabat, the Vatan news program of the Turkmen television reported.

The Turkmen leader stressed that this decision is a recognition of the merits of the President of Turkey in the development and strengthening of Turkmen-Turkish relations, his significant contribution to ensuring peace and expanding international cooperation, as well as training highly qualified specialists for the Turkmen state.

Berdimuhamedov noted that Recep Tayyip Erdogan is known and deeply respected in Turkmenistan as a wise and far-sighted statesman.

"His fruitful work in the highest state office, great political experience and high professionalism have won not only popular support in his country, but also well-deserved authority and respect throughout the world," the head of Turkmenistan emphasized.

Having presented the order to his colleague, the President of Turkmenistan wished him good health, success in responsible state activities, as well as welfare, peace and prosperity to the fraternal people of Turkey.

In turn, Erdogan thanked for this honor and called the award an indicator of developing ties between Turkey and Turkmenistan.

We add that the Order For Contribution to the Development of Cooperation was established in 2017. The first President of Russia Vladimir Putin was awarded this state award of Turkmenistan.