By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday met with his counterpart from Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov in Russia’s capital Moscow and discussed bilateral relations.
Opening the meeting, Lavrov thanked Turkmenistan for "respect for the Russian language and Russian culture in Turkmenistan."
The minister said that work is underway to implement joint initiatives in the humanitarian sphere, including the construction of a new building of the Russian Drama Theater in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat and the establishment of the Russian-Turkmenistan University.
For his part, Meredov said the meeting will contribute to the development of bilateral relations.
The minister noted that only this year the presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan held five bilateral meetings, which is a sign of strengthening ties, friendship and partnership.
Meredov added that Russia and Turkmenistan are also developing parliamentary relations, as the head of the Turkmen parliament visited Moscow earlier this year. A Russia-Central Asia parliamentary forum was also held for the first time.
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers signed a plan of cooperation for 2023-2024.