Turkmenistan consistently implements a peaceful foreign policy strategy based on the principles of permanent neutrality. It is steadily increasing its fruitful cooperation with all interested partners, both with individual states and large international organizations and authoritative regional structures.
As it is known, the strengthening of intergovernmental relations is the main direction of the foreign policy of our esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which promotes stability and development in the region and the world. The fact that Turkmen-Turkish cooperation, which has been going on for hundreds of years, is being enriched with qualitatively new content is a clear proof of this. Mutual understanding, trust and strong friendship are the highest achievements of the two peoples, forming a safe space for multifaceted cooperation successfully developed on a bilateral and multilateral basis, primarily within the framework of large international organizations and prestigious regional structures.
A clear evidence of this is the established constructive dialogue with the Turkic-speaking states, especially with Türkeye, with which connected by historical roots going back thousands of years, a common mentality, cultural and spiritual values.
As history shows, it should be noted that focusing on the cultural and historical relations between the countries, as well as the common language, culture and roots of the two countries connect the two nations by bonds of love beyond mutual interests. The fraternal relations between the ancient Turkmen state and the Turkish state that established at that time are now effectively developed today and are of great importance.
A special system of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Türkiye has been established. Turkey is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Turkmenistan, and it is considered an effective tool for regional peace and stability by the world community, and it has twice supported the level of neutrality.
Taking into account, it is necessary to highlight that high-level meetings and talks play an important role in the development of interstate relations. In this regard, a number of high-level visits have been held between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Türkiye in recent years.
In both countries, the expansion of Turkmen-Turish relations in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres as well as numerous diplomatic meetings aimed at expanding cooperation in the investment and transport sectors, as well as the importance of developing the legal framework for cooperation is of great importance.
The effective tool of the Turkmen-Turkish dialogue is in many ways conditioned by the special attention paid by the Heads of State of the two countries to the development of relations, and the active nature of the mutual visits is a unique indicator of the efforts of Turkmenistan and Türkiye to diversify multifaceted cooperation, expand trade-economic and humanitarian cooperation. Currently, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Türkiye are striving to bring the cooperation to a qualitatively new level, which fully corresponds to the priority directions of social and economic development, and the national interests of the two countries. Successfully implemented and planned large-scale joint projects are a clear example of this.
Drawing attention to the facts, over the past 30 years, fraternal Turkish business groups have shown themselves as reliable partners in the Turkmen market, which is distinguished by its attractiveness for foreign partners and investors. The main part of the foreign companies actively participating in the implementation of major programs aimed at the social and economic development of the country promoted by the President of the Republic of Türkiye, are Turkish business structures.
In general, the official visit of the Turkmen leader to the Republic of Türkiye and the upcoming high-level meeting are another step towards deepening the traditional relations, expanding the scope of mutual interests by taking into account the priority tasks of the state development of the two countries, and searching for more effective and time-required forms and tools as well as it is also important in the process of supplementing it on the basis of implementation.
Speaking about the importance of building up Turkmen-Turkish relations in all priority areas, we can proudly note the official visit of our esteemed President to the Republic of Türkiye. Negotiations between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in Ankara. During meetings, within the a narrow format and in an expanded format with the participation of members of delegations, the heads of fraternal states discussed remarkable issues of developing partnerships in various fields. In particular, both sides exchanged views on divers issues of expanding interaction in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The heads of state paid special attention to the development of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, transport, as well as in the field of investment and high technology as well as the parties also exchanged views on a number of topical issues of regional and international politics of mutual interest.
It should be noted that our esteemed President underlined that the development of cooperation in the energy sector is advantageous for both countries, and that there is a necessary contractual and legal basis for this. In this regard, it was proposed to consider the issue of joint work on the delivery of Turkmen natural gas and electricity to Türkiye. In this regard, it is proposed to consider the issue of sending Turkmen electric power to Türkiye through transit through the borders of third countries. Thus, with the start of the construction of a new power plant with a capacity of 1574 megawatts on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, opportunities will arise in this regard. The Turkmen leader said that they intend to implement this project together with the Turkish brothers, in a few days, the groundbreaking ceremony of this energy facility of international importance will be held near the city of Turkmenbashi.
The energy system plays a large role in bilateral relations as well the delivery of Turkmen energy resources, in particular, electricity and natural gas to Türkiye. Our esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that based on the principle of equal consideration of the interests of energy resources producing, transiting and consuming parties, Turkmenistan is open to cooperation with Turkish partners in this field.
The transport and communication sector is one of the important and promising areas. Currently, in our country, large-scale construction works of new transport facilities, road and railway crossings are being carried out, air and sea stations are being renovated. In this regard, the Turkmen leader proposed holding regular business meetings between transport agencies, associations, and companies of the two countries. Along with this, in order to strengthen cooperation in the transport and communication sector, to coordinate and coordinate work, it is considered advisable to create a joint transport-logistics center with the participation of state transport agencies and private transport-logistics companies.
Prospects of key areas of bilateral cooperation, in particular trade and economic nature, and exchange views on expanding partnerships in trade as well as the importance of developing cooperation in the transport sector of the two countries are of importance, in particular, the effective use of transit, transport corridors and air routes to improve trade relations and also with satisfaction the high dynamics of the development of interstate ties, which are strengthened on the basis of a trusting political dialogue at the highest state level testify with satisfaction to good diplomatic relations between the two countries.
As it is known, there is a wide-ranging cooperation based on common values between Türkiye and Turkmenistan as well as in the field of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties between the two countries will be further strengthened following the results of all diplomatic negotiations.
In conclusion, confirming the interest in further strengthening the Turkmen-Turkish relations we can say that for the implementation of practical cooperation and the positive dynamics of the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Türkiye in all promising areas is of importance.
At present, it is necessary to emphasize the traditionally high level of interstate relations, which are dynamically and successfully developing thanks to the efforts of our esteemed President and our Hero Arkadag, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan.
In short, the current visit should mark a new important stage in the history of two countries, based on the bonds of friendship, brotherhood and spiritual closeness between the peoples of both countries. We are very grateful to our esteemed President and our Hero Arkadag for their enormous efforts to develop and strengthen peaceful diplomacy as well as for the enormous opportunities for establishing good relations and building a reliable bridge between the two fraternal peoples.
Chemen BAYRIYEVA,
Senior lecturer of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.