President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov became a knight of the Russian Order of Friendship. The corresponding Decree of President Vladimir Putin has been published on the official portal of legal information, Russian mass media report.

Serdar Berdimuhamedov was honored with the award “for his great contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan”, the document says.

The Order of Friendship is an equivalent of the Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples. It is awarded to Russians, as well as citizens of foreign states for special merits in strengthening peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between peoples, fruitful activities for the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and nationalities, active activities for the preservation, enhancement and popularization of the cultural and historical heritage of Russia, labor successes in industry, agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

Earlier, Vladimir Putin invited Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Russia with an official visit. In a telephone conversation, the leaders exchanged warm congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and also discussed further strengthening of Turkmen-Russian cooperation, especially within the framework of the “Caspian Five”.