Recently, the dialogue between Turkmenistan and the CIS has been full of significant events and summit meetings. Thus, there were visits of representatives of the Commonwealth to Ashgabat, participation of the head of Turkmenistan in the CIS Summit in Kyrgyzstan, discussion of a number of current regional projects and initiatives, writes Arzuw.News.
This analytical article examines the key aspects of the current interaction between Turkmenistan and the CIS, analyzes the main trends and areas of cooperation, and also assesses the prospects for further deepening the multifaceted constructive dialogue between the parties.
Consultative negotiations on the development of cooperation
On March 24, 2023, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a meeting with CIS Secretary General Sergei Lebedev, who arrived in the capital of the country 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, scheduled for March 26, as well as local government bodies, are of great socio-political importance for the country.
Therefore, Turkmenistan pays special attention to organizing this campaign on the principles of transparency and compliance with international electoral law.In this regard, the head of state expressed gratitude to the CIS leadership for their 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 have been created in the country. The election campaign is taking place 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 Secretary General of the CIS discussed priority areas for the development of cooperation within the Commonwealth, confirming mutual interest in expanding constructive and equal dialogue across the entire spectrum of interaction - in economic, humanitarian and other key areas.
Expanding multilateral cooperation in Samarkand
On April 14, 2023, a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS member states was held in Samarkand. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev.
At the meeting, the heads of foreign policy departments of the Commonwealth countries discussed a wide range of current 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 Actions to intensify partnerships between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the CIS countries. A number of proposals were also put forward to expand joint activities and strengthen support for the initiatives of 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.
Development of transport infrastructure in focus
On July 19, 2023, a working meeting was held between the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev and the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of CIS Road Workers Buri Karimov.
During the negotiations, priority areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and this structure of the Commonwealth, as well as prospects for the development of international transport corridors in the region, were discussed.
Particular attention was paid to the participation of Turkmenistan in the global transport dialogue, the implementation of large-scale national programs for modernization of the transport sector, and the country’s integration into global transport networks.
In addition, Mr. Karimov thanked the Turkmen side for their assistance in holding the next motor rally along the routes of international transport corridors of the CIS.
Thus, at the meeting further steps were outlined 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, the next XVI Forum of Creative and Scientific Intelligentsia of the CIS Countries was held in Bishkek, in which the delegation of Turkmenistan took part.
This representative event traditionally serves as an effective platform for promoting advanced ideas, strengthening interethnic dialogue and humanitarian ties in the Commonwealth.
During the Forum, thematic discussions and cultural events were held in such areas as the development of interaction in the field of education, science, youth exchanges, the role of the Russian language in the CIS, as well as the legacy of the outstanding writer Chingiz Aitmatov.
Participation in the Forum of representatives of the creative intelligentsia of Turkmenistan once again demonstrated the priority of the cultural and humanitarian component in our country’s relations with the Commonwealth states and commitment to further strengthening the multifaceted constructive dialogue.
The role of Turkmenistan in ensuring stable partnership of the CIS
Among the key areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the CIS states, the development of interaction between foreign policy departments is of no small importance. On October 12 of this year, Turkmenistan’s continued commitment to open and constructive dialogue within the Commonwealth was confirmed by the working visit of the country’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to Bishkek.
Heading the delegation of Turkmenistan, he took part in a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS. During the meeting of the heads of foreign policy departments of the Commonwealth member states, a wide range of topical issues were discussed, including key areas for further cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
Noting the priority positions of Turkmenistan on the CIS platform, Rashid Meredov particularly focused on the fact that Turkmenistan stands for strengthening constructive dialogue, developing equal and effective interaction between the participating states in the general interest.
Thus, the participation of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan in this event once again confirmed the importance of applied partnership among foreign policy departments in the context of strengthening interstate relations 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 Council of Heads of State of the CIS was held in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, in which the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part.
In his speech at the Summit, the head of Turkmenistan especially emphasized the importance of the Commonwealth of Independent States as an effective platform for multilateral interaction on current issues of the global and regional agenda.
The constructive initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan, in particular, on the development of the Global Security Strategy and the establishment of the Institute of Neutrality and Security, were positively received by partners in the CIS.
A particularly significant moment was Turkmenistan’s proposal to hold the Central Asian Security Conference in 2024 in Ashgabat. This event will help strengthen regional stability and productive cooperation.
Thus, the CIS Summit in Bishkek with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov opened up good prospects for further fruitful interaction in both bilateral and multilateral formats.
Initiative of Turkmenistan to hold a Security Conference in Central Asia
In the context of interaction with the CIS countries, Turkmenistan invariably comes up with constructive initiatives aimed at strengthening stability and security both at the regional level and on a global scale.
One of the striking examples is the proposal of Turkmenistan, voiced during the last CIS Summit in Bishkek, to create a Security Conference in Central Asia under the auspices of the UN.
According to the plan, this international forum, the first meeting of which is planned to be held in 2024 in Ashgabat, will help consolidate the efforts of the countries of the Central Asian region, the world community and international structures in matters of ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development.
The promotion of this sought-after initiative once again confirms the peace-loving foreign policy of Turkmenistan, which consistently defends the principles of good neighborliness, mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation.
Expanding humanitarian ties as a priority for cooperation within the CIS
On December 18, 2023, a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the CIS 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 a discussion of the prospects for further expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the Commonwealth countries. As noted during the speeches, deepening interaction in the fields of education, science, youth policy, health care and sports will help bring peoples closer together, strengthen friendship and good neighborliness.
Supporting this position, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Hojamyrat Geldimyradov especially emphasized the important role of humanitarian ties as one of the key areas of multifaceted cooperation within the CIS.
Results of the informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg
On December 26, 2023, another informal meeting of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States was held in St. Petersburg with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
During a fruitful exchange of views on key issues of regional and international issues, the heads of the CIS countries noted the importance of further deepening integration processes within the Commonwealth and making cooperation more systematic.
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 space and beyond was especially emphasized.
Following the meeting, firm confidence was expressed that the traditionally friendly partnership within the CIS will continue to develop successfully for the benefit of the countries and peoples of the Commonwealth.
To summarize, it can be noted that relations between Turkmenistan and the CIS are developing very dynamically.
The neutral status of Turkmenistan allows the country to take a balanced position and actively cooperate with the Commonwealth states within the framework of its associated membership. Economic partnership is developing especially actively. 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 relations. Joint events are regularly held in the fields of culture, science, and sports.
Turkmenistan supports significant cultural initiatives, for example, declaring the city of Samarkand the cultural capital of the CIS in 2024.
Turkmenistan also comes up with its own peacekeeping initiatives within the CIS and the UN, promoting the ideas of strengthening security and trust. This finds understanding and support among partners.
Based on all this, it can be stated that there is a strong legal framework and political will to further deepen cooperation between Turkmenistan and the CIS countries. This constructive dialogue opens up good prospects for the implementation of joint integration projects for the sake of prosperity of the countries and peoples of the Commonwealth.