Policy
Turkmenistan took part in the ‘Central Asia–China’ meeting
29.04.2026A meeting of senior officials from the foreign ministries of the member states of the ‘Central Asia–China’ format took place in Xi’an (PRC) on 27–28 April. A delegation from Turkmenistan took part in the meeting, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties reviewed the results of their joint work for 2025 and discussed the progress of initiatives from the Second ‘Central Asia–China’ Summit in Astana, including work on the format’s Long-Term Development Strategy for 2026–2030. The meeting reviewed draft concepts for an interregional council on investment and trade, a programme for a new economic partnership, a ‘green’ development plan up to 2030, and a unified digital portal entitled ‘Cultural Heritage of the Silk Road’. The participants also discussed preparations for the 7th meeting of foreign ministers and the schedule of joint events for 2026.
Turkmenistan and China have identified priorities for cooperation in the gas and logistics sectors
29.04.2026On 28 April, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with Ji Shumin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the implementation of agreements reached at state and government level in March–April 2026. The gas sector, transport and logistics, and the production of mineral fertilisers were highlighted as priorities for the bilateral partnership. The importance of cooperation in education, science and medicine was also noted. The parties agreed to continue their political and diplomatic dialogue on a regular basis regarding the implementation of the instructions issued by the leadership of both countries.
Turkmenistan and Egypt have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation
29.04.2026On 28 April, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan S. Muhammetdurdyev met with the new Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Turkmenistan, Hamdy Shaaban Abdelhalim Mohammed. The Ambassador presented copies of his credentials, according to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as issues on the international and regional agenda. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue political consultations, hold meetings of the Turkmen-Egyptian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, organise Culture Days in Ashgabat and Cairo, and develop cooperation in medicine, education and tourism.
The MFA of Turkmenistan held a briefing for foreign diplomats
29.04.2026On 28 April, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, held a briefing for heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of international organisations in Ashgabat. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Head of the foreign ministry spoke about key developments in Turkmenistan’s international activities since the start of 2026. Particular emphasis was placed on the overseas visits of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero Arkadag. Rashid Meredov highlighted the outcomes of Hero Arkadag’s visits to the US, China and Austria. The trip to the US gave impetus to bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. During the visit to the PRC, talks were held with President Xi Jinping, resulting in concrete steps to develop cooperation in the gas sector. In Austria, Hero Arkadag met with the country’s top leadership and representatives of UN bodies, and also spoke at the International Vienna Energy and Climate Forum. The Minister also spoke about the President of Turkmenistan’s participation in the Regional Ecological Summit and the Summit of the Founding Countries of the IFAS in Kazakhstan, where the country’s position on the region’s water issues was reaffirmed. The significance of the Turkmen delegation’s participation in the World Governments Summit in Dubai and the Antalya Diplomacy Forum was highlighted separately. The briefing also reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the principles of neutrality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Ambassadors from foreign states and representatives of international organisations made comments.
Turkmenistan presented its partnership priorities at the UNECE forum
28.04.2026A delegation from Turkmenistan is taking part in the 10th International Forum on Public-Private Partnership, which is being held from 27 to 29 April in Barcelona. The forum is organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side will present information on the development of the market economy and the private sector in the country. Participants will be briefed on promising areas for partnership: transport and logistics infrastructure, energy, the agro-industrial complex, the digital economy, urban infrastructure and tourism. The ‘Awaza’ National Tourism Zone will be presented separately as a platform for private investment. As a landlocked country, Turkmenistan emphasises the importance of partnership in the interests of the LLDC group and promotes the Awaza Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for 2024–2034.
The MFA of Turkmenistan discussed oil cooperation with Malaysia
28.04.2026On 27 April, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rashid Meredov, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Malaysia, Mohd Suhaimi bin Ahmad Tajuddin. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed bilateral cooperation in the political, trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. It was noted separately that this year marks the 30th anniversary of ‘Petronas’s operations in Turkmenistan. The diplomats also touched upon the topic of education: hundreds of Turkmen students are studying at universities in Malaysia, and under an agreement with ‘PETRONAS Charigali (Turkmenistan) Sdn Bhd’, cooperation is underway with the Petronas University of Technology. Turkmen specialists are taking part in training courses under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme. The meeting also addressed issues relating to forthcoming contacts at the highest state and government levels.
The President of Turkmenistan has sent a message of greeting to the participants of the business forum
28.04.2026The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, has sent a message of greeting to the participants of the Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and Exhibition, which opens on 28 April. This was reported by the website AsmanNews. In his address, the Head of State noted that China is a major trade and economic partner of Turkmenistan. The priority areas of cooperation are the oil and gas sector, transport and logistics, digital technologies, science and education, and tourism. The President emphasised that the alignment of the ‘Revival of the Great Silk Road’ strategy with China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative serves as a key factor in the development of both countries’ economies. Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his confidence that the forum and exhibition would help unlock the potential for bilateral cooperation in the fields of science, technology and high technology.
Turkmenistan and Palestine discussed the development of inter-parliamentary cooperation
26.04.2026On 24 April, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, held a meeting with Rana Abu Hijleh, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine to Turkmenistan. This was reported by the press service of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen side emphasised that the country attaches priority to the development of international cooperation, including interaction with Palestine both at the bilateral level and within the framework of authoritative international bodies, including the UN. In this context, the willingness to further strengthen the partnership on the basis of parliamentary diplomacy, grounded in the principles of mutual respect, equality and trust, was reaffirmed. The interlocutors discussed the current state of inter-state relations and the prospects for expanding inter-parliamentary dialogue. It was noted that such cooperation facilitates the exchange of experience in the field of law-making and parliamentary practice, and also allows for a deeper exploration of the potential for cooperation in various areas.
Preparations for the meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee were discussed in Turkmenistan
26.04.2026The 16th meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee on Economic Cooperation is due to take place in Tokyo in December 2026. This was announced by Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Foreign Affairs Minister, on 24 April at a government meeting, according to the state news agency TDH. The meeting is expected to consolidate the agreements reached during the visits of the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, to Japan last year. Preparations for the event include inter-ministerial consultations in Ashgabat in July, where the parties will discuss the implementation of joint projects and update the roadmap for cooperation. The previous meeting of the committee took place in December 2024 in Ashgabat and laid the foundations for expanding the partnership. Active preparations are currently underway, and the upcoming meetings in Ashgabat and Tokyo are expected to strengthen bilateral dialogue in the economic and political spheres.
The President of Turkmenistan took part in the celebrations marking the National Holiday
26.04.2026On 25 April, celebrations marking the National Day of the Turkmen horse were held at the Ashgabat Equestrian Complex. The President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, took part in the event, according to TDH. Before the start of the celebrations, a monument was unveiled to the Ahal-Teke horse Pyyada — a four-time winner of beauty contests in Ashgabat (1998–2001) and a two-time winner of the ‘Star of Turkestan’ competition in Tashkent (2008–2009). Today, the prize awarded to the winners of the 1,800-metre race for three-year-olds bears his name. The President of Turkmenistan inspected the exhibition stands of the velayats and the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, where paintings, sculptures, jewellery, horse tack and photographs featuring Ahal-Teke horses were on display. The Head of State was presented with eight racehorses as gifts from the residents of the velayats, Ashgabat, the city of Arkadag and the security forces. Another racehorse — Daghan — was presented to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Ten horses took part in the final of the international competition ‘Ýylyň iň owadan ahalteke bedewi’ (The most beautiful Ahal-Teke horse of the year). The winner was the stallion Hankerwen, born in 2018 from the Gaplan line, belonging to the Ahal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. His trainer received a Toyota Fortuner, the challenge cup and a certificate. The horse Melegush (owned by B. Ballyev) won the endurance race, whilst Gudratly from the Ahal-Teke Horse Complex of the President of Turkmenistan won the show jumping competition. Prizes for the creative competition were presented on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan to six winners in the following categories: carpet art, jewellery, painting, sculpture, photography and video.
The Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan presented his credentials to the UN Secretary-General
25.04.2026The Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Vepa Hajiyev, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. This was reported by the IIC of Turkmenistan. During a brief meeting following the ceremony, V. Hajiyev conveyed greetings from the leadership of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations, including issues related to strengthening international and regional security, as well as the development of preventive diplomacy and mediation. Attention was also given to the Sustainable Development Goals, including cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, and environmental protection.
The Mejlis of Turkmenistan accepted the credentials of the Ambassador of Argentina
25.04.2026The Chairperson of the Mejlis, D. Gulmanova, received credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Turkmenistan, Enrique Ignacio Ferrer Vieira. This was reported by TDH. During the meeting, the ambassador conveyed greetings from the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, to the President of Turkmenistan. Gulmanova congratulated the diplomat on his appointment and wished him success in developing bilateral relations. The ambassador was briefed on Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, its international initiatives, as well as the structure and activities of the Mejlis. The sides discussed Turkmen–Argentine relations in both bilateral and multilateral formats, including within the framework of the United Nations, and emphasized the importance of interparliamentary dialogue.
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