Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, reported on the progress of preparations for the Turkmen-Chinese Business Forum and Exhibition, which are to be held in Ashgabat. This was reported by the state news agency TDH. More than 80 Chinese state and commercial organisations operating in various sectors, including mechanical engineering, energy, the oil and gas sector, the chemical industry, construction, agriculture, transport, digital technologies and other fields, have already registered for the events. Participant registration is ongoing. On the Turkmen side, representatives of relevant ministries, departments and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs will take part in the forum. The meeting is expected to discuss the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Having heard the report, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasised the importance of developing international economic ties and instructed that the upcoming events be organised to a high standard.
From 20 April, ‘Turkish Airlines’ is expanding its schedule on the Ashgabat–Istanbul–Ashgabat route, increasing the frequency of flights to 20 per week. This was reported by the news agency Orient. In addition to the existing daily flights, extra flights are being added to the schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The core daily flights remain unchanged and operate across two slots: — morning: departure from Istanbul at 01:10, arriving in Ashgabat at 06:50; return flight at 08:10, arriving in Istanbul at 10:25; — evening: departure from Istanbul at 20:15, arriving in Ashgabat at 01:55; return flight at 03:15, arriving in Istanbul at 05:30. The additional flights, introduced from 20 April, are scheduled as follows: — Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays: departure from Istanbul at 16:30, arrival in Ashgabat at 22:10; return flight at 23:30, arriving in Istanbul at 01:45; — Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays: departure from Istanbul at 14:15, arriving in Ashgabat at 19:50; return flight at 21:10, arriving in Istanbul at 23:25.
The opening of the Uzbek plov season took place in Ashgabat’s ‘Tashkent’ Park. Guests sampled traditional dishes, whilst live music and friendly conversation added to the atmosphere. This was reported by the news agency Orient. The organisers emphasised that the ‘Tashkent’ restaurant is not only a gastronomic venue but also a symbol of cultural affinity and strengthening ties between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. They also noted that the creation of the ‘Tashkent’ park in Ashgabat and the ‘Ashgabat’ park in Tashkent has been an important initiative that has strengthened cultural interaction between the two countries. It is noted that the restaurant remains a place where one can discover Uzbek cuisine and experience the atmosphere of friendship between the two nations.
On 15 April 2026, a meeting took place in Dushanbe between Aymyrat Gochmyradov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Tajikistan, and Farhodshokh Rakhmonali, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tajikistan. This was reported by the Orient news agency. The interlocutors reviewed the current state and possible directions for the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, noting the consistently friendly and good-neighbourly nature of relations between the two countries. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding practical cooperation. In particular, they discussed the organisation of business forums and exhibitions, the exchange of business delegations, and the establishment of trading houses in both countries. Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their interest in increasing mutual trade, boosting investment cooperation and further developing transport and logistics infrastructure.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan hosted a working meeting with experts from ‘TRAFFIC International’ and a representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic. This was reported by the news website Turkmenportal. The parties discussed strengthening regional cooperation within the framework of the ‘CITES Convention’, as well as the implementation of the ‘Samarkand Declaration’, signed by the countries of Central Asia in 2025. Particular attention was paid to the need to update Turkmenistan’s environmental legislation to bring it into line with international standards, which should simplify cooperation with foreign partners and enhance the level of biodiversity protection. The participants also outlined steps towards the introduction of modern monitoring systems, the development of databases and inter-agency cooperation. The possibility of organising training events for specialists is being considered. It should be recalled that in July 2024, Turkmenistan adopted a law on accession to CITES, after which it began establishing a system to monitor the trade in rare species based on international practices.
On 18 April, on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a brief meeting took place between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Russian Federation. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation.
On 18 April, negotiations were held in Antalya between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Hakan Fidan, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Turkey. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. At the start of the meeting, Rashid Meredov congratulated the Turkish side on the successful hosting of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF-2026) and the high standard of its organisation. The parties noted the consistently high level of bilateral relations, which are developing due to the efforts of the leadership of both countries. Issues of political and diplomatic cooperation, the expansion of economic cooperation and the strengthening of the legal framework were discussed. At the conclusion of the negotiations, the parties exchanged views on the international agenda and reaffirmed their similar approaches to issues of regional stability and security.
On 18 April, a meeting took place in Antalya between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Jeyhun Bayramov, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations. Particular attention was paid to preparations for high-level meetings scheduled for this year in both countries. The Heads of the foreign ministries also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
On 18 April in Antalya, on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a meeting took place between Rashid Meredov, Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan, and Bakhtiyor Saidov, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties noted the high level of bilateral cooperation, which is maintained through regular dialogue at the highest level. Key areas of political and diplomatic cooperation were discussed. Preparations for international events scheduled for the coming months were also touched upon. Separately, an exchange of views took place on the development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries.
On 18 April in Antalya, on the sidelines of the 5th Diplomacy Forum, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilisations. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed cooperation in promoting a culture of peace, intercivilisational dialogue and strengthening mutual understanding between countries. The Turkmen side reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of peace and trust, good-neighbourliness and equal international cooperation. It was noted that Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality serves as a tool for developing constructive dialogue at the international level. Turkmenistan’s readiness to continue cooperation and participate in efforts to promote a culture of peaceful coexistence was confirmed.
On 18 April in Antalya, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with Adem Kula, Secretary General of the Union of Turkic Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). The negotiations took place as part of a visit to the Republic of Turkey. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed the current state of trade and economic cooperation between the Turkic states. The significance of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan joining the Union in March 2024 was noted. Prospects for further partnership were considered. Among the priorities is the formation of joint production chains. Following the meeting, interest in developing cooperation was reaffirmed.
On 18 April in Antalya, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held a meeting with Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO). The negotiations took place as part of a visit to the Republic of Turkey. This was reported by the press service of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkmenistan. The parties discussed current cooperation and prospects for collaboration between Turkmenistan and the CTBTO. The importance of strengthening international efforts in the field of global security, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament was noted. Turkmenistan’s commitment to the objectives and principles of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty was reaffirmed. The possibility of hosting regional events in the country to mark the 30th anniversary of the Treaty’s opening for signature was considered. Issues relating to international monitoring, as well as the development of scientific and technical capacity and the training of national specialists, were discussed separately. Following the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their interest in expanding practical cooperation.