Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev plans to travel to Turkmenistan later this month amid persistent rumors that the Central Asian nation's autocratic leader has died.
Medvedev will visit Turkmenistan on August 11-12 to take part in the first Caspian Economic Forum, his press service said in a statement.
Medvedev is scheduled to meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov during his trip to discuss bilateral issues, the statement said.
Berdymukhammedov's failure to appear in public since July 5, not even during a July 6 visit to the capital, Ashgabat, by EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini, has fueled speculation about the state of his health.
Turkmen authorities have repeatedly said the president is on vacation until August 15 even though the long-planned forum starts earlier.
On July 15, state media released an undated video purporting to show 62-year-old Berdymukhammedov working on a new book, watching footage of himself performing a song, and taking a walk with his granddaughters.
Turkmenistan is described by rights groups as having one of the most closed societies and oppressive governments in the world, with all aspects of public life controlled by Berdymukhammedov and his associates.
