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Turkmen-Kazakh cooperation discussed in Ashgabat
23.05.2026President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on 22 May received Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. This was reported by AsmanNews. Olzhas Bektenov expressed gratitude for the reception and noted that Kazakhstan views relations with Turkmenistan as fraternal and partnership-based. He also conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The President of Turkmenistan thanked him for the visit and emphasized that the Kazakh side’s participation in the CIS meeting confirms its commitment to the development of multilateral cooperation. It was noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to cooperation with Kazakhstan based on equality and mutual respect. The two sides cooperate both bilaterally and within international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, CIS, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Cooperation is also developing in regional formats such as “Central Asia” and “Central Asia +”. The head of state recalled his participation in the Regional Environmental Summit RES2026 EXPO, held in Astana on 22 April 2026, highlighting its significance for the development of cooperation. The parties confirmed their readiness to further strengthen Turkmen-Kazakh relations and expand cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan confirm course toward strengthening partnership
23.05.2026On May 22, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. This was reported by AsmanNews. Ali Asadov conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and noted a high assessment of Turkmenistan’s socio-economic development. He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet and discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation. The President of Turkmenistan returned reciprocal wishes to the Azerbaijani leadership and emphasized that the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in the CIS meeting confirms a commitment to developing multilateral cooperation. He also noted that the decisions adopted could strengthen cooperation within the Commonwealth. During the talks, the sides confirmed the stable nature of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations based on friendship and good neighborliness. It was noted that cooperation is developing amid political will and the significant potential of both countries. Cooperation within international organizations was discussed, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the CIS. Special attention was given to the work of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Azerbaijani Commission on Economic Cooperation. Priority areas were identified as energy, transport, and logistics, taking into account the geographical position of both countries. The importance of expanding cultural and humanitarian ties and continuing regular high-level dialogue was also emphasized. The Prime Minister of Azerbaijan invited the President of Turkmenistan to pay an official visit to the country. At the end of the meeting, the sides expressed confidence in the further development of cooperation across a broad range of areas.
President of Turkmenistan received CIS Secretary-General Sergei Lebedev
23.05.2026President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov on May 22 received the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Sergei Lebedev, who arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. Sergei Lebedev expressed gratitude for the reception and noted that within the CIS, Turkmenistan’s contribution to the development of cooperation and dialogue among the member states is highly appreciated. The President of Turkmenistan, in turn, wished the meeting success and expressed confidence that the issues discussed would help strengthen cooperation and prepare new agreements between the countries. During the meeting, it was emphasized that cooperation within the CIS remains an important direction of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. The country, holding the status of an associate member, continues to participate in the work of the Commonwealth and promote projects in the fields of transport and humanitarian relations. It was also separately noted that Turkmenistan is consistently implementing the Concept of its CIS Chairmanship in 2026. All planned activities are being carried out within the established deadlines. Preparations were also discussed for the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting, which will take place on October 9 on the Caspian Sea coast. The summit is expected to consider proposals for further development of cooperation within the Commonwealth. At the end of the meeting, the sides expressed confidence in the continued strengthening of multilateral cooperation in the CIS format.
New decisions on CIS development agreed in Ashgabat
23.05.2026On May 22, a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS was held in Ashgabat. Participants reviewed 12 agenda items and signed a package of documents aimed at expanding cooperation within the Commonwealth. The results of the meeting were announced by CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev, according to the IIC. He noted that the meeting was held in an open and constructive format. Sergey Lebedev thanked the Turkmen side for organizing the event. Special attention was paid to the 35th anniversary of the CIS, which is being celebrated this year. During the discussions, the parties addressed issues related to the economy, transport, digitalization, and industrial cooperation. Following the meeting, the participants approved the CIS Strategy for Congress and Exhibition Activities through 2030, the Concept for the Digital Transformation of the Mining and Metallurgical Industry, and the Concept for Integrating the Main Transport Arteries of the Commonwealth states. They also reviewed the results of the program on geodesy, cartography, and spatial data. As part of this initiative, a unified geoportal for CIS countries has been created. Decisions were also adopted on environmental issues, personnel cooperation, and several previously existing documents. The extension of the mandate of Sergey Zubkov, Deputy Head of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Center, was confirmed. The status of CIS Youth Capitals was also announced separately: Minsk will hold the title in 2027, and Karaganda in 2028. The next meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government will take place in Moscow in December 2026.
Results of the CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting summarized in Ashgabat
23.05.2026A meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government was held in Ashgabat on May 22. The forum was opened by Turkmenistan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Khojamyrat Geldymyradov. This was reported by the IIC. Prime ministers of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting, along with heads of governments and delegations from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Armenia, as well as CIS Secretary General Sergey Lebedev. In a narrow-format session, the parties discussed economic cooperation and reviewed the results of the program in the field of geodesy and cartography. The main outcome was the creation of a unified CIS Spatial Data Infrastructure Geoportal. It will provide access to digital maps and cadastral databases of the Commonwealth countries. профильным agencies were recommended to implement the resource. In the expanded-format session, the focus was placed on technology and logistics. The participants approved the Strategy for Congress and Exhibition Activities through 2030 and the Concept for the Digital Transformation of the Mining and Metallurgical Industry. A Concept for the Integration of the Main Transport Arteries of the CIS, developed by Kazakhstan, was also signed. The document aims to integrate logistics routes and increase their efficiency and investment attractiveness. An Interstate Radionavigation Program for 2027–2030 was also approved, bringing together space and ground-based technologies from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. A separate decision was adopted to grant the status of CIS Youth Capitals to Minsk in 2027 and Karaganda in 2028. The next meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government will take place in Moscow in December 2026.
Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with the Prime Minister of Belarus
22.05.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, met with the Prime Minister of Belarus, Alexander Turchin, who arrived to attend a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government. This was reported by the IIC. The two sides confirmed the traditionally friendly and equal nature of bilateral relations, noting constructive cooperation on the international stage. They also discussed the expansion of trade and economic cooperation, including the development of the agro-industrial sector and the modernization of transport infrastructure. The importance of humanitarian ties was also emphasized, including the training of specialists for Turkmenistan’s economy at Belarusian universities. The Belarusian Prime Minister expressed confidence that the CIS summit in Ashgabat would contribute to strengthening cooperation within the Commonwealth.
The Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan held talks with Valentina Matviyenko
22.05.2026As part of the visit of the Turkmen delegation to the Russian Federation to participate in the 60th session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, a meeting took place between the Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, and the Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Valentina Matviyenko. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The two sides emphasized that relations between Turkmenistan and Russia, based on long-standing cooperation and the efforts of the leadership of both countries, are developing in the format of a strategic partnership. The expansion of cooperation in political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres was noted, as well as stable interparliamentary contacts. Particular attention was paid to the development of parliamentary dialogue, the exchange of legislative experience, the work of friendship groups, and the coordination of initiatives on international platforms. D. Gulmanova also invited V. Matviyenko to participate in international events planned to be held in the “Avaza” tourist zone as part of Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in the CIS and regional consultations of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan.
Turkmenistan was represented at the CIS IPA Council meeting in St. Petersburg
22.05.2026The delegation of Turkmenistan, led by the Chairperson of the Mejlis Dunyagozel Gulmanova, took part in a meeting of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the CIS in St. Petersburg, according to the news website Turkmenportal. The Turkmen side emphasized the importance of initiatives in the fields of peace, security, and sustainable development, including the development of energy corridors and transport and transit routes. International recognition of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality, confirmed by UN General Assembly resolutions, was also highlighted. Participants of the meeting underlined the role of the CIS as a platform for dialogue on political, economic, and humanitarian issues based on equality and mutual respect. The importance of the Commonwealth in strengthening historical and cultural ties between countries was also noted. Following the meeting, it was stated that the issues discussed open up additional opportunities for interparliamentary cooperation, exchange of experience, and the development of cooperation between CIS member states.
Turkmenistan and Belarus discussed the development of interparliamentary cooperation
22.05.2026The 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.
Turkmenistan and Japan outlined new formats for parliamentary cooperation
22.05.2026On 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.
Turkmen Ambassador held a meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister
22.05.2026On 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.
Turkmenistan supports initiative for cooperation with Korea in the field of intellectual property
22.05.2026On 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.
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