Meeting of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero Arkadag, with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Today, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during a working visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with President Ilham Aliyev.

Warmly welcoming Hero Arkadag, the leader of the friendly country expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit Azerbaijan and participate in the 12th Summit of the Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States.

Thanking for the invitation to the Summit, as well as for the opportunity to exchange views on priority areas of Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations during their bilateral meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people conveyed heartfelt greetings and best wishes from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to President Ilham Aliyev.

Addressing warm words of greeting to the head of Turkmenistan, the leader of the neighboring state noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the consistent strengthening of interstate dialogue with brotherly Turkmenistan.

Taking the opportunity, Hero Arkadag expressed sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his significant personal contribution to the development of friendship and cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people also expressed appreciation for the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation at the Prime Minister level in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held from August 5 to 8 this year in Avaza.

As emphasized, the good and trusting relations at the highest level between the leaders of the two states give a systematic character and regular momentum to mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries.

In this regard, Hero Arkadag noted that this was his third meeting with President Ilham Aliyev this year. The National Leader of the Turkmen people warmly recalled previous meetings held during his visit to Azerbaijan on July 16–17 and the visit of the head of the friendly state to Turkmenistan on August 22, 2025. During the negotiations, pressing issues concerning the current state and prospects of Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan relations were discussed.

It was emphasized that a strong foundation has been created for bilateral political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation. Today, these fraternal ties have reached a qualitatively new level.

It was stated that on current issues of global and regional politics, the positions of the two countries are similar or coincide. In this context, Hero Arkadag expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for its regular support of Turkmenistan’s positive neutrality and international initiatives.

Noting that at the initiative of our country, the UN General Assembly declared 2025 the “International Year of Peace and Trust,” and that on December 12 of this year an international forum dedicated to peace and trust, as well as the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, will be held in Ashgabat, Hero Arkadag invited President Ilham Aliyev to participate in the forum.

Thanking for the invitation, the leader of the neighboring state emphasized that Turkmenistan’s policy of positive neutrality makes a significant contribution to strengthening peace and stability in the region and enjoys broad support from the international community.

During the meeting, the interlocutors also paid special attention to cooperation issues within the Caspian Sea framework. The need to intensify five-party interaction on the Caspian Sea was highlighted, particularly on security, economy, ecology, trade, navigation, and scientific research.

Confirming Turkmenistan’s readiness to actively participate in the next Summit of the Caspian littoral states, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted that given the current ecological condition of the Caspian Sea, it would be appropriate to designate the main theme of the upcoming high-level meeting as ensuring its ecological security.

One of the priority areas of bilateral partnership is the trade and economic sphere. Acknowledging the productivity of mutual trade turnover, the interlocutors stressed the need to more actively utilize the available potential. The Intergovernmental Turkmen-Azerbaijani Commission on Economic Cooperation plays an important role here.

Issues of expanding bilateral cooperation in such areas as transport and logistics, energy, agriculture, textile industry, and new technologies were also discussed.

A special place in interstate relations is occupied by cultural and humanitarian cooperation. The shared history, traditions, language, and spiritual values are the main components of a solid foundation for these ties.

Representatives of culture and art regularly participate in international events held in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The practice of holding Days of Culture of the two peoples, joint concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and festivals continues.

Hero Arkadag noted that this year, Days of Turkmen Culture are planned in the Azerbaijani cities of Baku and Ganja, and the Turkmen side is ready to hold this event at a high level.

The interlocutors also confirmed their readiness to begin practical implementation of agreements reached on cooperation in carpet weaving and the art of breeding Akhal-Teke and Karabakh horses.

Confirming Turkmenistan’s commitment to close cooperation with Azerbaijan in all areas, Hero Arkadag took the opportunity to invite the head of the neighboring state to visit Turkmenistan on an official visit at any convenient time.

At the end of the meeting, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, expressing confidence that the traditionally friendly interstate relations will continue to develop for the benefit of the two fraternal peoples, exchanged best wishes.