Turkmenistan's relations with the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States have traditionally been friendly and mutually beneficial. As an associate member of the CIS, given its neutral status recognized by the United Nations, Turkmenistan actively cooperates with the Commonwealth in various spheres, seeking to make a constructive contribution to the multilateral partnership.
Recently, the dialog between Turkmenistan and the CIS has been saturated with significant events and meetings at the highest level. Thus, visits of CIS officials to Ashgabat, participation of the head of Turkmenistan in the CIS Summit in Kyrgyzstan, discussion of a number of topical regional projects and initiatives took place.
In this analytical article, we will review the key aspects of the current interaction between Turkmenistan and the CIS, analyze the main trends and directions of cooperation, and assess the prospects for further deepening of the multifaceted constructive dialogue between the parties.
Consultative negotiations on the development of cooperation
On March 24, 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev, who arrived in the capital of Turkmenistan at the head of the Commonwealth observer mission for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
During the conversation it was noted that the elections to the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and local authorities scheduled for March 26 are of great social and political importance for the country. Therefore, Turkmenistan pays special attention to the organization of this campaign on the principles of transparency and observance of international electoral law. In this regard, the head of state expressed gratitude to the CIS leadership for participation in monitoring the elections.
In turn, Mr. Lebedev, reporting on the activities of the Commonwealth observation mission, noted that all conditions for fruitful work had been created in the country. The election campaign is held at a high organizational level, with the active participation of the population. This confirms its openness and democratic orientation.
In addition, the President and the CIS Secretary General discussed priority areas for the development of cooperation within the Commonwealth, reaffirming their mutual interest in expanding constructive and equal dialog across the entire spectrum of interaction - in economic, humanitarian and other key areas.
Expansion of multilateral cooperation in Samarkand
A regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS member states was held in Samarkand on April 14, 2023. Turkmenistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev participated in the event.
At the meeting, the foreign ministers of the Commonwealth discussed a wide range of topical issues on the international and regional agenda, as well as priorities for further cooperation within the Organization.
It was decided to continue the implementation of the Program of measures to intensify the partnership between the MFAs of the CIS countries. A number of proposals were also put forward to expand joint activities and strengthen support for the initiatives of the Commonwealth states in the international arena.
Thus, this event in Samarkand became an effective platform for discussing further plans to deepen multifaceted cooperation in the CIS format and outlined new promising areas of interaction.
Transport infrastructure development in focus
On July 19, 2023, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Vepa Khadzhiev had a working meeting with Chairman of the CIS Intergovernmental Council of Road Builders Buri Karimov.
During the talks, the sides discussed priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and this Commonwealth structure, as well as prospects for the development of international transport corridors in the region.
Special attention was paid to Turkmenistan's participation in the global transport dialogue, implementation of large-scale national programs for modernization of the transport sphere, integration of the country into the world transport networks.
In addition, Mr. Karimov thanked the Turkmen side for assistance in holding another rally along the routes of international transport corridors of the CIS.
Thus, the meeting outlined further steps to expand cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Commonwealth in the development of regional transport and logistics infrastructure.
Cultural and humanitarian interaction between the parties
In September 2023, Bishkek hosted the XVI Forum of Creative and Scientific Intellectuals of the CIS countries, in which the delegation of Turkmenistan took part.
This representative event traditionally serves as an effective platform for promoting advanced ideas, strengthening interethnic dialog and humanitarian ties in the Commonwealth.
During the Forum there were thematic discussions and cultural events in such areas as the development of cooperation in education, science, youth exchanges, the role of the Russian language in the CIS, as well as the legacy of the outstanding writer Chingiz Aitmatov.
The participation of representatives of Turkmenistan's creative intelligentsia in the Forum once again demonstrated the priority of the cultural and humanitarian component in our country's relations with the CIS countries and commitment to further strengthening of the multifaceted constructive dialog.
The role of Turkmenistan in ensuring a stable CIS partnership
Among the key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the CIS countries, the development of interaction between the foreign ministries is of great importance. On October 12 this year, Turkmenistan's unwavering commitment to an open and constructive dialog within the Commonwealth was confirmed by the working visit of Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to Bishkek, where he, leading a delegation of Turkmenistan, took part in a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers. A wide range of topical issues, including key areas of further cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, were discussed at the meeting of foreign ministers of the CIS member states.
Noting Turkmenistan's priority positions on the CIS platform, Rashid Meredov emphasized that Turkmenistan stands for strengthening constructive dialogue, development of equal and effective interaction between the member states in the common interest. Thus, the participation of the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan in this event once again confirmed the importance of applied partnership between the foreign ministries in the context of strengthening interstate ties in general.
Results of the CIS Summit in Bishkek with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan
On October 13, 2023, a regular meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State was held in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov attended the meeting.
In his speech at the Summit, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth of Independent States as an effective platform for multilateral cooperation on topical issues on the global and regional agenda. The constructive initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan, in particular, the development of the Global Security Strategy and the establishment of the Institute of Neutrality and Security, were welcomed by the CIS partners.
Of particular significance was Turkmenistan's proposal to hold the Central Asia Security Meeting in 2024 in Ashgabat. This event will contribute to strengthening regional stability and productive cooperation.
Thus, the CIS Summit in Bishkek with the participation of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov opened good prospects for further fruitful cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.
Turkmenistan's initiative to hold the Central Asia Security Meeting
In the context of interaction with the CIS countries, Turkmenistan has consistently taken constructive initiatives aimed at strengthening stability and security both at the regional level and globally.
One striking example is Turkmenistan's proposal, announced during the last CIS Summit in Bishkek, to establish a Central Asian Security Conference under the auspices of the United Nations. According to the plan, this international forum, the first meeting of which is scheduled to be held in Ashgabat in 2024, will help consolidate the efforts of the Central Asian countries, the world community and international organizations to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development.
The launching of this demanded initiative once again confirms the peace-loving foreign policy of Turkmenistan, which consistently upholds the principles of good-neighborliness, mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation.
Expansion of humanitarian ties as a priority of cooperation within the CIS framework
On December 18, 2023, a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of Government was held in Moscow under the chairmanship of Russia, in which the delegation of Turkmenistan took part.
The main topic on the agenda of the event was the discussion of prospects for further expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the Commonwealth countries. As it was noted during the speeches, the deepening of cooperation in education, science, youth policy, health care and sports will contribute to the rapprochement of peoples, strengthening friendship and good-neighborliness.
Supporting this position, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Khojamyrat Geldimiradov emphasized the important role of humanitarian ties as one of the key areas of multifaceted cooperation within the CIS.
Outcomes of the CIS informal summit in St. Petersburg
On December 26, 2023, a regular informal meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in St. Petersburg with the participation of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
During the fruitful exchange of views on key regional and international issues, the CIS heads of state emphasized the importance of further deepening integration processes within the Commonwealth and making cooperation more systemic.
The role of constructive initiatives put forward by the participating States, including Turkmenistan, in the context of strengthening peace, security and stability in the CIS and beyond was emphasized.
At the end of the meeting, the sides expressed strong confidence that the traditionally friendly partnership within the CIS will continue to develop successfully for the benefit of the countries and peoples of the Commonwealth.
Summarizing the results, it can be noted that the relations between Turkmenistan and the CIS are developing very dynamically.
Turkmenistan's neutral status allows the country to take a balanced position and actively cooperate with the Commonwealth states within the framework of its associate membership. Economic partnership is particularly active. The Declaration on Strategic Cooperation of the CIS States initiated by Turkmenistan is a good basis for building up trade and economic ties.
The humanitarian component also plays an important role in the relations. Joint events in the spheres of culture, science and sports are regularly organized. Turkmenistan supports significant cultural initiatives, for example, the declaration of Samarkand as the CIS Capital of Culture in 2024.
Turkmenistan is also pursuing its own peacekeeping initiatives within the CIS and the UN, promoting the ideas of strengthening security and confidence. This is understood and supported by its partners.
Based on all this, in general we can state that there is a solid legal framework and political will to further deepen cooperation between Turkmenistan and the CIS countries. This constructive dialog opens good prospects for the implementation of joint integration projects for the prosperity of the countries and peoples of the Commonwealth.
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