Zardari and Putin promise to improve two-way ties.

On Friday, President Asif Ali Zardari and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised the need to further develop their bilateral ties.

The breakthrough occurred during a casual meeting between the two presidents in this city of Turkmenistan, at a two-day international symposium on the theme “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations-Basis for Peace and Development.”

The 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly Faragi, a renowned Turkmen philosopher, poet, and thinker, was celebrated with the moot. In a statement released by the President’s House, both leaders wished each other well.

Earlier, the president, who arrived here on Thursday for a two-day visit, addressed the forum, which also included Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rehmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, and others. In his speech, the president emphasised the importance of boosting regional connectivity and fostering cultural and economic cooperation. He stated that Pakistan and Turkmenistan share a profound link of brotherhood based on mutual respect, common faith, and a shared goal of a better, more peaceful future.

President Zardari stated that his participation in the Forum demonstrated his country’s commitment to improving bilateral relations. The president expressed his profound gratitude to Turkmenistan’s administration and people for organising such a prominent event to promote cultural understanding, peace, and discussion.

President Zardari expressed his satisfaction to learn that our national poet, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and the great figure of Turkmen literature, Makhdum Gulli Fraghi, share significant similarities in their poetry and ideas about Sufism and nationality.

He praised Turkmenistan’s president, Sardar Berdi Muhammedov, for organising this event to promote Makhdum Gulli Fraghi’s works while also offering an opportunity to connect with the leaders of regional countries, which will help enhance our friendship. The president also congratulated the Turkmen nation on the announcement of 2024 as the “Year of the great poet and thinker of the Turkic world- Makhdum Gulli”.