"We knew Saparmurat [Niyazov] as a friend of Russia, and I am convinced that the continued strengthening of our partnership is in line with the true interests of the peoples of Russia and Turkmenistan," Vladimir Putin said in his message.
"The establishment of a sovereign Turkmenistan, the strengthening of the country's international position and the development of its economy are all connected with his [Niyazov's] name," the message said.
Putin expressed his deep condolences to relatives and close friends of Niyazov, as well as to the Turkmen authorities and people.
Niyazov, who was declared president-for-life of the Central Asian ex-Soviet republic in December 1999, passed away at the age of 66 following a heart attack at 1:10 a.m. local time (8:10 p.m. GMT Wednesday), following several years of heart trouble which had been kept secret from the gas- and oil-rich desert nation's population.
Niyazov's funeral will take place on the morning of December 24 in the presidential palace. He will then be taken to a mausoleum, which has already been built in his home village, Kipchak.
Following a decision by the Turkmen Security Council, the mourning period in the country, which holds the world's fifth-largest natural gas reserves as well as substantial oil resources, will continue until December 28.
