The Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, held a meeting with the Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, Natalya Kochanova, on the sidelines of the meeting of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly. This was reported by the IIC. The sides noted the steady development of Turkmen–Belarusian cooperation both in bilateral format and on international platforms, emphasizing the importance of interstate interaction based on trust and equality. During the talks, the expansion of interparliamentary ties was discussed, including the exchange of experience in lawmaking, the activation of friendship groups, and the development of contacts between relevant committees. Special attention was paid to cooperation between young parliamentarians and women deputies through both in-person meetings and online formats. Natalya Kochanova invited the Turkmen side to an international forum in Belarus dedicated to family issues and demographic security. In response, Dunyagozel Gulmanova invited her Belarusian counterpart to take part in parliamentary events in Avaza, scheduled for October as part of Turkmenistan’s CIS chairmanship.
On May 21, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Japan, A. Bayramov, held a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Japan, Eisuke Mori. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The sides discussed the development of political and interparliamentary dialogue between Turkmenistan and Japan and highly appreciated the current level of bilateral relations. Speaker Eisuke Mori noted the positive dynamics of cooperation in political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Special emphasis was placed on the significance of the visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow to Japan in 2022, as well as the visits of the President of Turkmenistan in 2025. These contacts gave an additional impetus to the development of relations. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues of expanding interparliamentary cooperation, including the work of the Turkmen-Japanese Interparliamentary Friendship Group and the holding in Ashgabat of the first interparliamentary forum “Central Asia + Japan”. Initiatives were also considered to develop contacts between women parliamentarians of the two countries in the fields of healthcare, education, culture, and charity. At the end of the meeting, the sides confirmed their interest in further strengthening Turkmen-Japanese cooperation.
On May 20, a meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, A. Annaev, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Oana-Silvia Țoiu. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of Turkmen-Romanian relations. Mutual interest in expanding cooperation in political, trade-economic, transport, cultural, and educational spheres was confirmed. Particular attention was paid to cooperation in multilateral formats, including collaboration within the United Nations, as well as the promotion of Turkmenistan’s international initiatives. The sides also discussed the development of transport and transit links, expansion of trade and economic partnership, strengthening interparliamentary contacts, and cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries. They also emphasized the importance of cultural, humanitarian, and educational cooperation. Following the meeting, Turkmenistan and Romania reaffirmed their readiness to further strengthen friendly and partnership relations.
On May 20, a working meeting between the Minister of Intellectual Property of the Republic of Korea, Kim Yong-sun, and ambassadors of Central Asian countries was held at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. The Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea, B. Durdyev, took part in the event, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The discussion focused on the development of cooperation in the field of intellectual property within the framework of preparations for the First “Central Asia – Republic of Korea” summit and the possible signing of a memorandum of understanding. Minister Kim Yong-sun presented the Republic of Korea’s experience in the field of intellectual property, noting its role in the country’s economic development. He stated that the Republic of Korea ranks 4th in the world in terms of the number of patent applications. According to him, the combination of Central Asian resources and Korean technologies opens broad prospects for cooperation. The initiative was given the working title “Silk Road of Intellectual Property.” Ambassador of Turkmenistan B. Durdyev thanked the Korean side for organizing the meeting and noted the importance of the upcoming summit. He stated that Turkmenistan supports the initiative to prepare a memorandum on cooperation in the field of intellectual property. Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their interest in developing cooperation between Central Asia and the Republic of Korea and strengthening dialogue ahead of the summit.
On May 20, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Japan, A. Bayramov, held a meeting with Princess Takamado, a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The sides discussed the current state of Turkmen–Japanese relations and exchanged views on the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The high level of interaction between the two countries was noted. The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for Princess Takamado’s contribution to the development of intercultural dialogue and the strengthening of friendly ties. It was emphasized that Turkmenistan attaches priority importance to expanding cooperation with Japan based on mutual respect and partnership. Special attention was given to the meetings between the President of Turkmenistan and Emperor Naruhito of Japan, which took place in 2025 and provided additional momentum to bilateral relations. During the conversation, issues of humanitarian cooperation were also addressed. The ambassador briefed Princess Takamado on the activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of education, sports, environment, and green energy. At the conclusion of the meeting, readiness for the further development of bilateral cooperation was reaffirmed.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the United States, Esen Aydogdyyev, held talks with U.S. Senator Steve Daines in the U.S. Senate. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. During the meeting, the sides discussed key areas of Turkmen-American cooperation, including political dialogue, trade and economic relations, energy cooperation, and issues of regional connectivity. Special attention was given to the significance of the “C5+1” format, according to the press service of the Embassy of Turkmenistan, which reported this on social media. The talks took place amid intensified contacts between Ashgabat and Washington. Earlier, on 25 November 2024, Senator Daines visited Turkmenistan, where he was received by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The American side emphasized the importance of developing mutually beneficial cooperation with neutral Turkmenistan, while the Turkmen leader expressed confidence that the dialogue would create additional opportunities to expand interstate partnership.
Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov arrived in Turkmenistan on May 21 on a working visit to participate in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS. This was reported by Turkmenportal, citing the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan. At Ashgabat International Airport, the Azerbaijani Prime Minister was welcomed by Turkmenistan’s Minister of Finance and Economy Mammetguly Astangulov and other official representatives. It should be noted that diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan were established on June 9, 1992.
On May 21, consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Belarus were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The delegations were led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Pavel Utyupin. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The sides discussed the development of political and diplomatic dialogue and the importance of regular contacts between the foreign ministries. Special attention was given to strengthening the legal and contractual framework of cooperation. The diplomats noted effective interaction within the United Nations and the CIS, and confirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives in the areas of peace, stability, and sustainable development. Trade and economic relations and opportunities for expanding economic partnership, including with the participation of the private sector, were also discussed. Cultural and humanitarian areas — education, science, and culture — were likewise addressed. At the conclusion, the sides confirmed their readiness to further develop friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Belarus.
Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev will visit Turkmenistan on a working visit on May 21–22. This was reported by Turkmenportal, citing the press service of the Kyrgyz government. During the visit, Kasymaliev will take part in a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which will be held in Ashgabat on May 22. Talks with the leadership of Turkmenistan are also planned. The parties will discuss issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Earlier, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed officials to ensure the meeting is organized at a high level.
On May 21, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Pavel Utyupin. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The parties discussed cooperation in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The high level of interaction between the two countries within the framework of the United Nations was noted. The importance of cooperation within the CIS was also emphasized. The participants of the meeting discussed issues related to expanding cultural and humanitarian ties, including the organization of joint events in 2026.
On May 20 in Beijing, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the People’s Republic of China held a presentation dedicated to the results of the Turkmen–Chinese business forum and exhibition held in April in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The event was attended by diplomats from the embassy, representatives of the trade mission, the China Overseas Development Association, the China–Turkmen Cultural Center, as well as government bodies and business representatives from both countries. Ambassador P. Durdyev presented key investment projects of Turkmenistan, products of national manufacturers, and the outcomes of negotiations held within the framework of the forum. He called on the Chinese side to become more actively involved in investment and trade projects and to expand export-import cooperation. Information was also provided on upcoming events of Turkmen ministries and agencies. From the Chinese side, representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the administration of Jiaozhou City, the China Overseas Development Association, and the China–Turkmen Cultural Center spoke. They noted the high level of organization of the forum in Ashgabat and discussed new areas of cooperation. The parties emphasized that the business meetings featured projects on production modernization and digitalization, and a number of cooperation memorandums were signed. The China Overseas Development Association stated its readiness to support the regular holding of the Turkmen–Chinese business forum and exhibition in order to strengthen trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Turkmenistan and the United States are preparing a visit by a U.S. business delegation to Ashgabat. The issue was discussed during a meeting between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Washington, Esen Aydogdyev, and the Executive Director of the U.S.–Turkmenistan Business Council, Eric Stewart, as well as representatives of member companies of the Council. This was reported by Turkmenportal, citing the press service of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the United States. The parties reviewed prospects for expanding cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, transport, agricultural, energy, and industrial sectors, as well as in the private business sector. The ambassador presented Turkmenistan’s economic priorities, taking into account the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence. Participants of the meeting noted the role of the U.S.–Turkmenistan Business Council in developing direct business dialogue between the two countries.