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Putin congratulates Turkmen leader on his victory in presidential elections

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, a candidate of the Democratic Party, won Sunday’s elections with more than 97% of the vote

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on Tuesday to congratulate him on his victory in Turkmenistan’s presidential elections, the Kremlin press service said.

"The Russian leader warmly congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on his convincing victory in the presidential elections and wished him further successful work at the highest state post," the press service said.

Read also

Berdimuhamedov wins Turkmenistan presidential elections with 97.69%

"Both sides confirmed the intention to broaden mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and Turkmenistan in various areas," the statement said.

Putin also noted the success of Turkmenistan’s diplomacy that had initiated the adoption by the UN General Assembly on February 2, 2017 of a special resolution on the International Day of Neutrality. "It was stressed that Russia, one of co-authors of the resolution, has great respect for Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy."

On Monday, Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Berdimuhamedov.

According to Turkmenistan’s Central Election Commission, Berdimuhamedov, a candidate of the Democratic Party, won Sunday’s elections with more than 97% of the vote.

Berdimuhamedov, 59, has served as the president of Turkmenistan since February 2007. He became acting president after the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov in December 2006 and won the presidential election. In February 2012, he was re-elected to the post. In October 2011, Berdimuhamedov was given the title "Hero of Turkmenistan." He also received many highest awards in the country and abroad and is an honorary academician in a number of foreign universities.

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