Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held high-level talks with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev during an official visit to Baku, as reported by Orientir.tm. The visit took place at the invitation of the Azerbaijani leader.
During the meeting, Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and conveyed greetings from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He emphasized that the visit aimed to further strengthen bilateral ties and launch new joint initiatives.
Describing Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations as built on brotherhood, good neighborliness, and cooperation, Berdimuhamedov highlighted the historical affinity, mutual strategic understanding, and the commitment of both countries to unlocking their shared potential for the benefit of their peoples.
The two leaders reaffirmed active collaboration across politics, economy, culture, and humanitarian engagement. The success of this partnership, they noted, stems from the high level of trust between the countries’ leadership, which enables prompt decision-making and effective implementation of agreements.
Special attention was given to the countries’ coordinated foreign policy approaches, based on the UN Charter and international law, and their joint contribution to maintaining regional stability, particularly in the Caspian region.
Berdimuhamedov congratulated Azerbaijan on hosting the 17th ECO Summit in Khankendi and stressed the importance of boosting trade and economic cooperation, strengthening humanitarian and interparliamentary ties, and promoting people-to-people diplomacy.
He also expressed confidence that this visit would mark a new stage in the long-term strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
For the first time, Berdimuhamedov’s daughter Oru was seen accompanying him on an international visit. She held a separate program in Azerbaijan, including a meeting with Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and daughter of President Aliyev.
Photo: Oru Berdimuhamedova (left) and Leyla Aliyeva (right), vesti.az
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan continue to expand cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly energy, logistics, and political coordination.
A flagship achievement is the agreement on the Dostluk oil and gas field, which since 2021 has served as a cornerstone for joint development in the Caspian. In November 2023, discussions were held on the participation of SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, in additional energy projects in Turkmenistan.
Bilateral trade remains on an upward trend. In 2024, trade turnover totaled $383.7 million, and in the first five months of 2025, it reached $118.5 million, including $99.2 million in imports from Turkmenistan.
Energy remains a central pillar. In addition to the Dostluk field, both countries are engaged in gas swap operations via Iran. Since the start of 2025, Azerbaijan has purchased 155.3 million cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan, amounting to $23.3 million.
SOCAR is also expanding its presence in Turkmenistan, having opened an office in Ashgabat in 2023 and held talks with Turkmengaz. Discussions continue on energy memoranda, technology exchange, and the long-discussed Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, seen as a potential gateway for Turkmen gas to reach European markets.
Transport and logistics are gaining momentum. Container traffic along the Baku–Turkmenbashi route has grown 2.9 times, reaching 2,362 TEU. The Lapis Lazuli Corridor, linking Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, continues to develop. Recent agreements, such as the memorandum between ADY Container and a Turkmen logistics hub, underscore growing interest in overland transit cooperation.
Both countries are also parties to the Ashgabat Agreement, enhancing connectivity to the Persian Gulf.
Humanitarian ties are likewise deepening. From January to May 2025, more than 12,000 Turkmen citizens visited Azerbaijan, with over half arriving as tourists — a reflection of the shared cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage binding the two nations.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
July 16, 2025