On 7 January, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with Elizabeth Rood, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. During the negotiations, a wide range of topical issues of Turkmen-American cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres were discussed. The parties noted the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including annual political consultations and meetings of the ‘Turkmenistan-US’ Business Council. Particular emphasis was placed on the effectiveness of the long-standing activities of American companies in Turkmenistan, as well as the implementation of joint projects and contracts in the fields of electric power, agriculture and transport with the participation of companies such as ‘John Deere’, ‘General Electric’ and ‘Boeing’. Particular attention was paid to the prospects for expanding cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture. In this context, the Turkmen side put forward an initiative to establish a ‘Turkmen-American’ cultural dialogue. In addition, an exchange of views was held on the development of cooperation in the field of high technology and in the banking and financial sector.
The President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, sent a congratulatory letter to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In the letter, Donald Trump congratulated the Head of Turkmenistan on Christmas and New Year. It should be noted that diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the United States of America were established on 10 April 1992.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received congratulatory messages on the occasion of the New Year 2026 from foreign leaders. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq sent New Year's greetings to the Head of State. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent his wishes. In addition, a congratulatory letter was received from Deputy Prime Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Fahd Al-Said. In his message, he expressed his wishes for health and well-being to the President of Turkmenistan and for progress and prosperity to the Turkmen people, noting his intention to continue developing friendly relations between the countries.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the occasion of his 70th birthday. This was reported by the internet resource AsmanNews. In his message, the Head of State noted the steady development of Turkmen-German relations and confirmed his interest in further expanding bilateral cooperation. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov also wished Frank-Walter Steinmeier good health and success in his public service for the welfare and prosperity of the people of the Federal Republic of Germany.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent his congratulations to Guy Parmelin on his inauguration as President of the Swiss Confederation. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, the Head of State noted this event and expressed his wishes for good health, personal well-being and success in his new position in the interests of the further development and prosperity of the Swiss Confederation.
The Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States, Kubanychbek Omuraliyev, sent a New Year's message to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. In his message, he noted Turkmenistan's contribution to the development of cooperation and strengthening of mutual understanding in the Turkic world, as well as the role of the President of Turkmenistan in promoting dialogue and expanding cooperation between Turkic states. Kubanychbek Omuraliyev emphasised the significance of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality, which was celebrated in 2025, pointing to the country's role in promoting peace, stability and constructive cooperation in the region. The Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States expressed confidence in the further development of cooperation within the organisation and wished the President of Turkmenistan good health and the Turkmen people peace and prosperity.
President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas sent New Year's greetings to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This is stated in a congratulatory message from the Head of the Palestinian State, reports TDH. In his address, Mahmoud Abbas noted Turkmenistan's achievements over the past year and emphasised the significance of the United Nations General Assembly's decision to declare 2025 the ‘International Year of Peace and Trust’. According to him, this initiative reflects international recognition of Turkmenistan's foreign policy aimed at strengthening Peace and Trust and the development of multilateral dialogue. The President of the State of Palestine also congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution on the country's permanent neutrality. He noted the special role of 12 December 1995 in strengthening Turkmenistan's international authority. In conclusion, Mahmoud Abbas wished the President of Turkmenistan good health and longevity, and the Turkmen people peace, well-being and prosperity.
In his New Year's address, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced that in 2025, at the initiative of the country, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Resolution ‘Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.’ The Head of State noted that this confirmed the consistency of the policy of neutrality, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’. As part of the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality, a number of international events were held in the country. The key event was the International Forum dedicated to International Neutrality Day. As a result, the Ashgabat Declaration was adopted. The President emphasised that in 2025, Turkmenistan became a platform for active political and diplomatic work, and the country's foreign policy course was practically enshrined in international documents. On the initiative of Turkmenistan, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted several resolutions. Of particular importance are the documents dated 15 December 2025 – ‘The Key Role of Reliable and Stable Energy Connectivity in Ensuring Sustainable Development’ and ‘The UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035)’. The first document focuses on the development of consistent energy networks, while the second focuses on strengthening regional and global transport connectivity. Both decisions form a long-term legal basis for economic development. The results of the International Year of Peace and Trust confirmed that neutrality remains a key element of Turkmenistan's internal development and its contribution to international dialogue.
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received congratulatory messages for the New Year 2026 from foreign statesmen and heads of international organisations. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. New Year's greetings to the Head of State were sent by the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mohamed Yunus Al-Menfi, and the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. In their messages, they noted the development of friendly relations, as well as the importance of Turkmenistan's foreign policy aimed at strengthening Peace and Trust and international dialogue. The role of the country in connection with the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust by the UN General Assembly and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality was highlighted separately. Congratulations were also sent by Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Warm wishes to the President of Turkmenistan and the people of Turkmenistan were expressed by Mintimer Shaymiyev, State Councillor of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, and Dmitry Kobitsky, Secretary General of the Council of the Interparliamentary Assembly of the CIS. New Year's greetings were also received from the heads of international organisations — Sultan Raev, Secretary General of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), and Kubanychbek Omuraliyev, Secretary General of the Organisation of Turkic States. The messages noted Turkmenistan's contribution to the development of cooperation in the Turkic world and the strengthening of regional stability. In addition, Alexander Beglov, Governor of the city of St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the New Year, expressing confidence in the further development of partnership relations. The authors of the messages wished Serdar Berdimuhamedov health and well-being, and the people of Turkmenistan peace and prosperity.
The Head of the Turkmen-Austrian Friendship Group, Neda Berger, sent New Year's greetings to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. In her message, she congratulated the Head of State on the arrival of 2026 and wished him new achievements and successes in his state activities, according to TDH. Neda Berger expressed her hope that the new year would contribute to the further expansion and strengthening of economic and cultural cooperation between Turkmenistan and Austria. In conclusion, she wished the President of Turkmenistan good health and prosperity, and the people of the country peace and stability.
The Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organisation of Turkic States, Binali Yıldırım, sent New Year's greetings to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by TDH. In his message, he conveyed his wishes for health, peace and prosperity to the people of Turkmenistan. Binali Yıldırım noted that the culture of solidarity and consultation is being strengthened within the Organization of Turkic States, which, according to him, contributes to the formation of a common future for the Turkic world. The Head of the Council of Elders emphasized his readiness to continue deepening cooperation in all areas, based on common history and values. He also stated that the Council's priority remains to promote sustainable interaction, strengthen unity and mutual trust between countries. In conclusion, Binali Yıldırım expressed his hope for the further development of inter-state relations and wished the President of Turkmenistan success in his state activities in the new year.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent New Year's greetings to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing confidence in the further steady development of bilateral relations between Yerevan and Ashgabat. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. In his congratulatory message, Pashinyan noted that in 2026, Armenian-Turkmen relations, built on the principles of mutual trust and respect, will continue to strengthen, opening up new opportunities for expanding cooperation. The Armenian Prime Minister also wished the President of Turkmenistan good health and new successes in the coming year, and the people of Turkmenistan peace, stability and prosperity.