President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on award of the Russian Order of Friendship.

"Let this event, symbolizing strong mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan, inspire you to further active creation in the name of multiplying good traditions of fruitful interstate cooperation, which is of strategic importance both for the peoples of the two countries and for the consolidation of universal peace. I am sincerely glad for you and sincerely wish you great success in your responsible activities for the benefit of your country, good health and happiness," the congratulatory message reads, the text of which is published in the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan today.

At the end of the message, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation expressed hope for steady expansion of multifaceted ties between fraternal peoples within the framework of Russian-Turkmen relations.

To recap, last week, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed a Decree awarding the President of Turkmenistan with the Order of Friendship. As noted in the document, Serdar Berdimuhamedov was awarded it "for his great contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan."