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Russia's Lavrov Meets Turkmen President In Ashgabat


Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has met with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov in Ashgabat.

Lavrov made a rare visit to Turkmenistan on February 3, following a trip to China.

After the talks, Lavrov said that he and Turkmen leader had focused on the situation in Central Asia and the surrounding region, including current developments in Afghanistan.

He said they had "stressed the importance of marking the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War," as Russia calls World War II.

With the anniversary of the Nazi surrender approaching in May, Russia has stepped up accusations that the West is trying to rewrite history and belittling the Soviet contribution to the war.

Lavrov said implementation of agreements reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Berdymukhammedov at a meeting in September were discussed, but did not describe the agreements.

Russia's ties with isolated, gas-rich Turkmenistan are weaker than with other Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Both countries are eager to supply to natural gas to China.

Based on reporting by RIA and Interfax

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