On 23 March, a telephone conversation took place between Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties exchanged greetings on the occasion of Nowruz and expressed their best wishes for the well-being of the peoples of both countries. The Iranian Foreign Minister thanked the Turkmen side for the humanitarian aid sent on behalf of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation to children in Iran, noting its significance as a gesture of support.
On 23 March, Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Elizabeth Rood, the US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Particular attention was paid to the outcome of the visit to the US in February this year by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan.
On 23 March, Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Ji Shumin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the development of Turkmen-Chinese cooperation. The main focus was on the results of the recent visit to the People’s Republic of China by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during which a meeting took place with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The diplomats also exchanged views on the implementation of the agreements reached.
The Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, has sent messages of congratulations on the occasion of International Nowruz Day to the Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. This was reported by the press service of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan. In her messages, the Chairwoman of the Mejlis emphasised that this joyous holiday, symbolising renewal, harmony and beauty, brings joy to people and helps to strengthen the values of mutual understanding and unity. The Chairwoman of the Mejlis expressed her confidence that inter-parliamentary cooperation, which is an important part of bilateral relations, will continue to develop and strengthen for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. In addition, Dunyagozel Gulmanova wished Pakistani parliamentary leaders good health and further success in their public service.
Russia and Turkmenistan maintain strong friendly ties and a strategic partnership. This is stated in a message from Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, addressed to Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, according to the news website Turkmenportal. ‘Russia and Turkmenistan are linked by strong ties of friendship and strategic partnership. I confirm our readiness to work actively at the governmental level to further expand the full range of practical cooperation and implement major joint projects in various areas of mutual interest,’ the letter states. M. Mishustin, on behalf of the Russian government and on a personal note, congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the holidays of Eid al-Fitr and International Nowruz Day, emphasising that they symbolise the renewal of nature and serve as a reminder of the importance of kindness and mutual understanding. In conclusion, the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation wished Serdar Berdimuhamedov good health, happiness and further success in his work for the benefit of the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has expressed his readiness to strengthen bilateral relations between Georgia and Turkmenistan, according to the news website Turkmenportal. This is stated in a congratulatory letter from the Georgian Prime Minister sent to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, on the occasion of International Nowruz Day. ‘Allow me to express my deep respect to you and to reaffirm my readiness to further strengthen relations between Georgia and Turkmenistan through joint efforts,’ noted Irakli Kobakhidze. The Prime Minister also wished Serdar Berdimuhamedov success in his state duties, and the people of Turkmenistan peace, well-being and prosperity.
The friendly visit to the People’s Republic of China by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, was one of the key diplomatic events of 2026. This was reported by AsmanNews. During the visit, a meeting took place with the President of the PRC, Xi Jinping. The parties discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, including trade, infrastructure projects and cooperation in the energy sector. Particular attention was paid to the oil and gas sector. Hero Arkadag held talks with the leadership of the CNPC corporation, during which issues relating to the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons, as well as the introduction of modern technologies, were discussed. Following the visit, the State Concern ‘Türkmengaz’ was authorised to sign a contract with ‘CNPC Amudarya Petroleum Company Ltd.’ The agreement aims to develop cooperation and attract investment into the sector. During the visit, the National Leader gave an interview to the ‘CGTN’ television channel, emphasising the importance of energy cooperation and the stability of bilateral relations. The agreements reached are aimed at expanding economic cooperation and further developing the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and China.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent his congratulations to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the people of the country on the occasion of Pakistan Day. This was reported by TDH. In his message, the Head of State noted the steady development of bilateral relations, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and trust. He emphasised Turkmenistan’s interest in further expanding cooperation and taking it to a new level. The President of Turkmenistan also wished the leadership of Pakistan good health and well-being, and the people of the country peace, progress and prosperity.
The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has received messages of congratulations from the Heads of Government of Georgia and the Russian Federation on the occasion of the Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr holidays. This was reported by AsmanNews. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze congratulated the Head of State on Nowruz and expressed his readiness to further strengthen bilateral relations. The message also included wishes for success in state affairs and prosperity for the Turkmen people. The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, sent his congratulations on Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz. He noted the significance of these holidays as symbols of renewal and mutual understanding. The message highlighted the high level of Russian-Turkmen relations and reaffirmed the readiness to develop cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects in various fields.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has sent a message to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This was reported by TDH. In his message, the Kazakh leader expressed his gratitude for the warm message and noted the high level of mutual respect and support between the two countries. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasised the special relationship between the Kazakh and Turkmen peoples and expressed his personal respect for Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. On the occasion of the Nowruz holiday, he wished him health, prosperity and success. The President of Kazakhstan also reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the Kazakh-Turkmen strategic partnership, based on traditions of friendship and good-neighbourliness. It was noted that the parties intend to continue developing cooperation in key areas.
On 18 March, a meeting took place at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Kazakhstan between Ambassador Batyr Rejepov and Askar Umarov, Director of the Republican State Institution ‘Central Communications Service’ under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This was reported by the press service of the diplomatic mission. The parties discussed the development of information systems, as well as issues relating to the maintenance and support of information and communications infrastructure. Particular attention was paid to the exchange of experience and the establishment of cooperation between Kazakhstan’s ‘Central Communications Service’ and the relevant agencies in Turkmenistan responsible for communication between the state and society. The participants also discussed changes in professional practice in the context of the development of artificial intelligence technologies and noted the need to adhere to high professional standards.
On 21–22 March, Turkmenistan celebrates its National Spring Festival – International Nowruz Day. The main celebrations are taking place at the ‘Nowruz ýaýlasy’ (Nowruz Valley) venue in the Ak-Bugday etrap of the Ahal velayat, reports AsmanNews. The events are attended by representatives of the Government, the Mejlis, ministries and departments, public organisations, diplomatic missions and international bodies, as well as the country’s residents. More than 220 foreign guests from around 30 countries have arrived for the festival. Nowruz is included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival brings together traditions, rituals, music and elements of contemporary art. Concert programmes and theatrical performances are taking place at the venue. Themed areas have been set up featuring national yurts, farmsteads and elements of traditional life. In his congratulatory address, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted the significance of the holiday and highlighted the country’s achievements since independence, as well as its development in key areas. The festive events are attended by residents from all regions of the country and are accompanied by cultural performances.