On 17 July, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, held negotiations with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as part of his state visit to Georgia. The two sides discussed the development of cooperation in the political, trade and economic, transport and logistics, energy, cultural and humanitarian, and scientific and educational fields, according to the news agency TDH.

The Head of Turkmenistan arrived in Georgia on 16 July on a state visit. In Tbilisi, Serdar Berdimuhamedov laid flowers at the monument to Georgia’s national heroes on Heroes’ Square. Following the ceremony, negotiations were held with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

During the one-on-one meeting and the subsequent negotiations involving delegations from both countries, the parties noted the high level of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their interest in their further development.

The President of Turkmenistan expressed his gratitude to the Georgian side for the invitation and the warm welcome. The Head of State emphasised that relations between Turkmenistan and Georgia span the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation within the framework of the United Nations. The President of Turkmenistan thanked Georgia for its support for Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality and the country’s international initiatives.

Trade and economic cooperation was one of the key areas of negotiation. The parties noted the growth in mutual trade and the important role of the Inter-governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The need to further develop direct contacts between businesspeople from the two countries was also emphasised.

In the transport and logistics sector, Serdar Berdimuhamedov outlined prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, involving Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, the Caspian-Black Sea Corridor involving Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania, as well as the TRACECA transport corridor.

The parties also discussed opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, telecommunications, communications, tourism, agriculture, the textile industry and construction.

Particular attention was paid to cultural and humanitarian ties. In 2024, a monument to the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli was unveiled in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan’s cultural heritage is also widely represented in Georgia, including the works of Magtymguly Pyragy.

The parties reaffirmed their interest in expanding scientific and educational contacts, as well as cooperation between higher education institutions and academic bodies. The importance of developing twinning arrangements between cities was also highlighted. In this regard, Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed discussing the establishment of a sister-city relationship between Turkmenbashi and Batumi. A similar agreement had previously been concluded between the cities of Arkadag and Telavi.

Following the negotiations, the President of Turkmenistan and the Prime Minister of Georgia signed a Joint Statement.

The parties also exchanged a number of bilateral documents. These included the Programme of Cooperation for 2027–2028 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, as well as memoranda of cooperation in the fields of management and privatisation of state property, financial monitoring, culture, healthcare, education, industry, maritime transport and rail transport.

The documents also provide for cooperation between theatres, museums, libraries, conservatoires and higher education institutions in both countries.

In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exchange of news content was signed by the editorial team of the online newspaper ‘Golden age’ and the television company ‘Europe 24’.

Following the signing ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed representatives of the media.

The Georgian Head of Government noted that the visit by the President of Turkmenistan and the agreements reached lay the foundations for further strengthening bilateral relations. He highlighted the potential for development in trade, transport, logistics, tourism, science and education.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the business-oriented nature of the negotiations and reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to expand political dialogue and trade and economic cooperation. According to him, particular importance is attached to the development of the transport sector and the diversification of mutual trade.

The Head of State also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector, telecommunications, transport, tourism, agriculture, the textile industry and construction.

The President of Turkmenistan congratulated Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Georgia. He proposed that the 35th anniversary of this event be celebrated on a grand scale in 2027.

At the conclusion of the visit, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov invited Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to pay a visit to Turkmenistan.

A Turkmen-Georgian business forum was also held as part of the state visit. More than 50 bilateral meetings took place between business organisations from the two countries, resulting in the conclusion of agreements and the signing of memoranda of understanding.

In particular, agreements were reached in the fields of logistics, the export of confectionery and household chemical products, distribution, insurance and the supply of building materials.

Following the visit, the parties reaffirmed their interest in further strengthening their long-term partnership and expanding cooperation in key areas.