In recent years, cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan has been experiencing a new, truly rapid stage of development. Today, bilateral relations are no longer limited to just diplomatic ties — they have acquired a complex character: from joint economic, transport and logistics projects to large-scale cultural initiatives that strengthen friendship and common regional identity.
Formation of a strategic partnership
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on February 7, 1993. Over the past three decades, ties have gradually strengthened, but the real breakthrough has begun in recent years.
A historic Strategic Cooperation Agreement was signed in Ashgabat in 2017, and a Declaration on deepening strategic partnership between the two countries was signed in 2022. These documents laid the foundation for a new format of interaction — open, pragmatic and focused on long-term results. In January 2025, a new interstate cooperation program for 2025-2026 was approved, reflecting the stability of trust and the interest of the parties in the continuous expansion of partnership. The fruitful state visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Uzbekistan in November 2025 confirmed the common commitment to further strengthen the centuries-old friendship and good-neighborliness between the fraternal peoples.
It is important to note that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan support each other in the international arena, showing closeness of positions on key issues of global and regional policy.
Economy: trade turnover growth and joint projects
The economic block of cooperation has become particularly noticeable. In recent years, the trade turnover between the two countries has grown almost fivefold and exceeded $ 1 billion. In the near future, the parties confidently declare their intention to increase this figure to $ 2 billion.
The breakthrough was ensured by mutual investments, the creation of joint ventures and the development of border trade. One of the largest projects has become the Shavat–Dashoguz trade center, which should significantly expand business opportunities and increase the availability of goods to the population of the border territories.
Cooperation in the oil and gas and energy sectors is developing rapidly. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are closely cooperating in the framework of international pipeline projects, and are also considering opportunities to expand joint processing and export of energy resources.
Transport and logistics: creation of regional corridors
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are key elements of the architecture of transport routes in Central Asia. An important area of cooperation was the Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan–Iran–Oman route development project, which creates a new international corridor linking Central Asia with the Persian Gulf and the world trade system.
Infrastructure at the borders is being improved, customs clearance is being accelerated, and railway cooperation is developing. All this turns bilateral relations into an important factor of regional integration.
Cultural partnership: strengthening spiritual ties
Cultural and humanitarian dialogue occupies a special place in the relations between the two states. The 300th anniversary of the great classic of Turkmen literature Magtymguly Fragi was widely celebrated in Uzbekistan: performances were staged, a joint film was shot, a street appeared in Tashkent and a bust of the thinker was installed.
A monument to Alisher Navoi has been unveiled in Ashgabat, and film festivals, exhibitions, literary evenings, cultural days are regularly held in both countries, and exchanges of creative teams are expanding.
These initiatives do not just unite nations, they form a solid spiritual foundation for cooperation, allowing us to look at the future from positions of mutual respect and good neighborliness.
A partnership that defines the future of the region
Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is becoming an important factor in strengthening stability and economic progress in Central Asia. In the context of changes in international trade and energy, the role of regional unions is objectively growing, and cooperation between Tashkent and Ashgabat demonstrates an example of constructive interaction based on trust, openness and mutual benefit.
Today we are witnessing not just the development of interstate relations, but the formation of a long-term strategic alliance based on economics, culture, transport and human values.
Such an alliance not only strengthens the potential of the two peoples, but also serves as the foundation for a stable future for the entire region. ///nCa, 9 December 2025 (in cooperation with the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Turkmenistan)