RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan received the delegation headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia Muhammetgeldi Ayazov. Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan also participated in the meeting.

Highlighting the importance of friendly ties between Armenia and Turkmenistan, Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, sports and youth occupies a special place in the relations between the two countries. According to the Minister, the implementation of joint projects and the opportunity for experience exchange contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

In terms of the advancement of inter-university cooperation, the ESCS Minister highlighted the possibility of ensuring its sustainable development through the implementation of joint educational and research programs, as well as exchange programs for students and teachers, underlining that 30 citizens of Turkmenistan are currently studying at RA higher educational institutions.

Zhanna Andreasyan expressed willingness to advance and strengthen cooperation in the field of science by implementing joint research programs with partner structures of Turkmenistan.

The Minister emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation between the Institute of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology after Nazarov of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and the Institute of Seismology and Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. According to the Minister, such cooperation is promising for the implementation of new programs and initiatives in the field of science.

The sides also considered cooperation in the field of culture and creativity with the participation of masters of theatre art, solo performers, creative groups and cultural organizations at international events held in both countries. According to Zhanna Andreasyan, the 120th anniversary of the great Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian will be celebrated in 2023, and the participation of Turkmen cultural figures in the anniversary events will be desirable.

The Minister also informed that the draft program on “Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of Turkmenistan in the field of culture and art for 2022-2024” passed the procedure of internal coordination, which in June 2022 was handed over to the Turkmen side for mutual coordination. The parties agreed upon changing the terms of the project for 2023-2024.

Regarding cooperation in the fields of youth and sports, Zhanna Andreasyan proposed to hold joint training camps in freestyle wrestling, weightlifting, Greco-Roman wrestling, judo and boxing in the main sports complex of Tsakhkadzor and Olympavan in Yerevan. It was noted that such programs will contribute to the creation of new platforms and opportunities for communication between younger generations.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia Muhammetgeldi Ayazov, in turn, thanked for the support of the initiatives of the Turkmen side, noting that much attention is paid to the cooperation with the Ministry of ESCS.

The Ambassador touched upon the joint events of Armenia and Turkmenistan, in particular, it was noted that on November 5-7, 2019, Days of Armenian Culture were held in Turkmenistan, within the framework of which a number of exhibitions, exchange of experience and master classes were held. On May 4-6, 2020, it was planned to implement the program “Culture Days of Turkmenistan in Armenia”, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the program was postponed, and it will be held in Armenia this year.

Muhammetgeldi Ayazov also spoke about enhancing cooperation between the Yerevan State Conservatory after Komitas and the National Conservatory of Turkmenistan, the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the Turkmen Agricultural University after S. A. Nyyazow, Institute of Geophysics and Engineering Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia and the Institute of Seismology and Physics of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Mesrop Mashtots Matenadaran, as well as Yerevan State University and Magtymguly State University of Turkmenistan.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.