On 29 June 2026, a telephone conversation took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matviyenko.

The Speaker of the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament cordially congratulated Hero-Arkadag on his birthday, wishing him robust health, longevity, and continued success in his responsible state activities. Emphasizing the significance of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan’s contributions to the development of Turkmen-Russian relations, Valentina Matviyenko conveyed to Hero-Arkadag and the President of Turkmenistan warm greetings and best wishes for success and well-being from President Vladimir Putin.

Expressing his gratitude for the kind words, Hero-Arkadag extended his best wishes to the President of the Russian Federation, noting that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the deepened strategic partnership with the Russian Federation.

It was noted that the constructive dialogue established at the highest state level plays a key role in the development of multifaceted Turkmen-Russian cooperation.

Hero-Arkadag also noted that, thanks to the tremendous efforts of Valentina Matviyenko, the inter-parliamentary dialogue between Turkmenistan and Russia has been developing successfully.

As emphasized during the conversation, it is precisely her active work as the head of the Russian Senate, Chairperson of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and a prominent figure in the international parliamentary movement that serves as the foundation for advancing important initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the legislative bodies of many countries.

Hero-Arkadag also noted that the extensive joint work carried out together with the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, aimed at implementing noble initiatives in the public, political, and humanitarian spheres, will continue in the future.

In this context, confidence was expressed that, under the leadership of Valentina Matviyenko, international forums dedicated to enhancing the role of women in society, as well as issues of demography and healthcare, will be held in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in October of this year.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people also expressed confidence that the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth, to be held in Turkmenistan in November this year, would be conducted at a high level.

Continuing the conversation, Hero-Arkadag noted that great importance is attached to the joint work carried out together with the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation aimed at studying and promoting the history of our peoples, which serves as a reliable foundation for further strengthening friendship between Turkmenistan and Russia.

In this regard, Hero-Arkadag reaffirmed the readiness of the Turkmen side to implement such projects as the expansion of the complex of buildings of the Joint Turkmen-Russian Secondary School named after A.S. Pushkin, the establishment of the Turkmen-Russian University, the construction of a new building for the A.S. Pushkin State Russian Drama Theatre, and the erection of a Monument to the Friendship of Our Peoples in Ashgabat.

Continuing the conversation, Hero-Arkadag noted that Valentina Matviyenko, as a sincere and reliable friend of Turkmenistan, has made an enormous contribution to the development of Turkmen-Russian relations, and expressed his gratitude to the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Turkmen people.

At the conclusion of the telephone conversation, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko wished each other soundt health and continued success in their responsible state activities, and wished the friendly peoples of the two countries peace, happiness, well-being and prosperity.