On 6 June 2018 Turkmenistan closed visa free entry to the country for residents of Mangistau region of Kazakhstan.
According to Kazakhstan’s media outlets, the border was closed in connection with tightened security measures in Balkan velayat.
Three independent sources told “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” that as of today the border is still closed. Moreover, even holders of transit visas are denied access through the border.
When asked why the border is closed and when the entry is expected to be re-opened, Turkmen border guard officers do not provide any comments and just say concisely “bolonok” (translated as “it is prohibited”).
“Because of this uncertain situation our plans have been disrupted. We have no clue how long we will need to wait and we cannot decide whether we should wait or whether the ban will be extended for another week. Many people spend the night in their vehicles at the border”, one of eye witnesses reports.
It should be emphasized that two days after the border had been closed both Presidential planes departed from Ashgabat to Balkan velayat.
Spending a few minutes in Turkmenbashi airport, they flew back to the capital.Today, on 19 June, both Boeings again headed to Balkan velayat.
The head of the state was in Ashgabat all this time.
It can be assumed that all this time the President’s family was on holiday in the recreational area Avaza where security measures have been tightened in connection with their visit and both Presidential planes were sent to Turkmenbashi.
It appears that the Berdymukhammedovs’ holidays have come to an end and they are flying back to Ashgabat. In this case the border should be opened in the nearest future.