Dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the poet Magtymguly Fragi, this international forum in Turkmenistan brought together the presidents of over 10 countries.
A bridge through eternity
Magtymguly was a “great humanist, the founder of Turkmen poetry and literature” and “one of the first people to have revealed the beauty of the Turkmen language in its entirety and diversity”, Vladimir Putin reminded, quoting lines from the poet: “All our tribes are marching beneath righteous banners over them arching”. His works are included in the “golden collection of world culture”, his books “were not only read, but they were kept at home as a sacred relic”. People quoted his poems during the Great Patriotic War in letters to Turkmen soldiers of the Red Army.
Poetry imbued with humanistic ideas
Paying tribute to Magtymguly’s creative heritage and poetic gift, the president also expressed his views on the development of society: “With his work, Magtymguly invariably called for purity, justice and equality, not only in relations between people, but also between entire states, between nations. He advocated for the establishment of high ideals for friendship and good neighbourliness and prophetically tried to convey these thoughts to future generations, calling for harmony and responsibility, tolerance and understanding, respect and solidarity”.
Today, all these categories are as important as ever in the interaction between peoples, cultures and civilizations. “International relations”, Vladimir Putin stressed, “have entered an era of fundamental global change when a new world order is being formed, reflecting the diversity of the entire planet, and this natural process is irreversible”. The new centres of this world are “here, in the Global East, in the Global South as a whole”. They are “striving to preserve and strengthen sovereignty and socio-cultural identity, seeking ways of harmonious development in accordance with their traditions and based on their national interests”.
On the international stage, Russia and other states of the world majority advocate for “a more equitable distribution of wealth and the consistent democratisation of international life”, since “universal peace and comprehensive development can be ensured only by taking into account the opinion of each people while respecting the right of each state to its sovereign course, worldview, traditions and religious beliefs”.
Our country stands for “the widest possible international discussion on the parameters of interaction in the emerging multipolar world and is open to discussing issues of building a new world order with all our friends, partners and like-minded people, including within the framework of the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS”, the President summarised.
Literature and life
Magtymguly is an iconic figure for the Turkmen people. The anniversary date was prepared for long in advance; 2024 was declared the year of Magtymguly Fragi in the country. The initiative of the thematic year was also supported by the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). The 300th anniversary of the poet is included in the list of memorable dates in the calendar of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Commemorative events are held not only in Turkmenistan, but also abroad. In Moscow, in September, a bust of Magtymguly was celebratorily unveiled on the territory of the Margarita Rudomino All-Russia State Library of Foreign Literature. By the way, for a long time the poet lived in the village of Funtovo near Astrakhan. In 2019, a school was named after him there.
In Ashgabat during these days all flags were welcome. The forum was attended by the heads of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Iran, Pakistan, high-ranking representatives of Türkiye, China, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq and international organisations (including UNESCO, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Economic Cooperation Organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Organisation of Turkic States, TURKSOY), public figures, researchers and cultural figures. V. V. Putin held separate meetings with the leaders of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and the speaker of the Turkish parliament, Numan Kurtulmus. They exchanged views on key international issues.
Neutrality is no obstacle to partnership
Relations between Russia and Turkmenistan are defined by the 2017 Strategic Partnership Agreement. The parties maintain regular contacts, develop economic cooperation and collaborate on environmental issues in the Caspian region. During his visit to Ashgabat, Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the national leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan (Halk Maslahaty) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who served as the country’s president in 2006-2022. The development of relations within CIS, interparliamentary exchanges and ties between the regions of the two countries were highly appreciated. Detailed talks with S. G. Berdimuhamedov took place earlier in Moscow during the CIS summit. In Ashgabat, the current Turkmen leader also presented Vladimir Putin with a commemorative medal in honour of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly’s birth.
Turkmenistan has officially declared a policy of neutrality, but this is in no way an obstacle to the development of strategic partnership. On the contrary, the fact that the state adheres to the principle of non-alignment with any military blocs makes it an attractive and stable partner. The Russian leader thanked Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for their “significant contribution to the preservation of peace and stability in our common region, to the expansion of multifaceted cooperation”.
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In sum, one may say that at the Ashgabat forum, the world heard a concise, simple and understandable form of the Russian manifesto for a new era. It is symbolic that it was mentioned at an international humanitarian event in a CIS country, i.e. the states that are our closest neighbours in the region, with which we are historically very close and connected by many cultural threads. Vladimir Putin invited the heads of state present at the forum to participate in the BRICS summit in Kazan. As for relations between Russia and Turkmenistan, this partnership, tested by time and based on long-term historical ties, mutual understanding and respect, in today’s multipolar world and in the light of the expansion of cooperation between Turkmenistan and regional international structures, will receive new opportunities for growth and a fresh impetus for development.
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, exclusively for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”
