Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Tajikistan Aimyrat Gochmyradov
January 27, 2026, marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. They were officially established on January 27, 1993. Over the past period, bilateral cooperation has acquired a stable, progressive and multifaceted character, covering political, trade, economic, humanitarian, cultural and educational spheres.
Turkmen-Tajik relations are based on a solid foundation of centuries-old friendship, historical and cultural community of peoples. In recent years, they have gained a new dynamic, which is facilitated by the trusting, fraternal relations between the two heads of state, as well as regular contacts and high-level negotiations that contribute to the progressive deepening of cooperation in all key areas.
Mutual visits and meetings of the leaders of the two countries are of particular importance in this context. They include:
- the state visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan on August 3-4, 2021;
- the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Tajikistan on May 10-11, 2023;
- the working visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan on August 4, 2023 to participate in the trilateral meeting of the heads of State of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan;
- the working visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Dushanbe on September 14-15, 2023 to participate in the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
An important stage in the development of the bilateral dialogue was also the official visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Tajikistan on April 4-5, 2024. The consistent development of political interaction at the highest level was continued by the working visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Ashgabat on October 11, 2024 to participate in the International Forum dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of Makhtumkuli Fragi, as well as a number of visits in 2025, including the working visit of the President of Tajikistan to the city of Turkmenbashi on August 4-5, 2025 to participate in the Third The United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, the working visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Dushanbe on October 9-10, 2025 to participate in the Second Summit “Central Asia – Russia” and the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, as well as the working visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to Ashgabat on December 11-12, 2025 to participate in the International Forum on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent Neutrality.
Interparliamentary cooperation is also steadily developing. Systematic contacts have been established between the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, and parliamentary friendship groups are actively functioning. In this regard, it should be noted the visit of the Chairman of the Majlisi Milli Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Rustam Emomali, to Turkmenistan in May 2022, the participation of the Tajik parliamentary delegation in the Second Meeting of the Chairmen of the Parliaments of Central Asia and the Republic of Korea in Ashgabat in October 2024, as well as the meeting of the interparliamentary friendship group of the two countries in Dushanbe in November 2025. as part of the events of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.
A significant place in the political dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan is occupied by cooperation within the framework of international initiatives consistently put forward and supported by the parties at the global level.
At the same time, the parties actively cooperate on multilateral international platforms, including the UN, OIC, OSCE, CIS, SCO, ECO, IFAS and other structures, which indicates a high level of coordination of the foreign policy approaches of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan. Within the framework of international organizations, a stable practice of mutual support for initiatives and candidates has been formed, reflecting the proximity of the positions of the two states on key issues on the global and regional agenda.
Turkmenistan’s participation in key international forums on water and environmental issues, including the Second High-level International Conference on the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028” (Dushanbe, June 7, 2022) and the High-level International Conference on Glacier Conservation (Dushanbe, May 2025), demonstrated the shared approaches of the parties to water issues as one of the system-forming factors of regional stability, sustainable development and prevention of potential conflicts.
The consistent position of the Turkmen side within the framework of these platforms has clearly confirmed the strategic and long-term nature of bilateral cooperation in the field of water and environmental safety, as well as its inextricable link with the development of a trusting political dialogue between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Tajikistan.
In a broader context, this line fits seamlessly into the peacekeeping agenda promoted by Turkmenistan, based on the principles of trust, dialogue and a policy of permanent neutrality. In a tense international situation, the emphasis on preventive diplomacy and the formation of an atmosphere of mutual trust is gaining conceptual importance and is a logical continuation of international discussions on environmental security and sustainable development. A symbolic confirmation of international support for this approach was the adoption on March 21, 2024 of a special resolution of the UN General Assembly declaring 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust.
Preparations for the event were accompanied by the development of an Event Concept and the creation of a State Organizing Committee, which ensured the systematic and integrated nature of the initiative. The culmination of the International Year of Peace and Trust was the holding of an International forum in Ashgabat on December 12, 2025, also dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, in which issues of sustainable development, environmental and water security organically fit into the broader international agenda of peace and mutual trust.
In the context of modern geopolitical and economic challenges, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan attach special importance to ensuring stability and developing cooperation in Central Asia. The format of consultative meetings of the heads of state of the region, initiated by Turkmenistan, plays an important role in this process. The importance of this mechanism is confirmed by the resolution of the UN General Assembly dated July 28, 2022 “Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia”.
Trade and economic cooperation remains a key area of bilateral partnership. Meetings of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Tajik Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation are held on a regular basis, comparing positions and coordinating approaches. The parties are mutually interested in increasing the volume of trade, diversifying its structure, expanding direct ties between business circles and creating joint ventures.
Transport and logistics cooperation occupies a special place in this segment of interaction, which is considered by the parties as one of the key tools for strengthening regional connectivity and sustainable economic development. In April 2024, an initiative was put forward in Dushanbe to form the Tajikistan–Uzbekistan– Turkmenistan–Iran–Türkiye transport route, as well as to develop the China–Tajikistan–Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan multimodal corridor with access to the ports of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, which opens up additional opportunities for expanding the transit potential of the region.
A Roadmap for expanding cooperation in the field of increasing cargo traffic and developing multimodal transportation for 2023-2025, signed in May 2024, confirmed the mutual interest in the implementation of these ideas, aimed at coordinating efforts, synchronizing infrastructure projects and forming sustainable transport chains.
Cooperation in the energy sector, including the prospects of Turkmen electricity supplies to Tajikistan through the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan, based on the already existing positive experience of cooperation, is a promising area for further development of the multilateral partnership.
Inter-regional cooperation is also developing dynamically. Agreements have been concluded between Akhal Velayat and Sughd region, Lebap Velayat and Khatlon region, Balkan Velayat and Sughd region, Mary Velayat and Khatlon region. As part of the Arkadag Hero’s official visit to the Republic of Tajikistan in 2024, an agreement was signed to establish twinning relations between the cities of Arkadag and Khujand.
Special importance in bilateral relations is attached to cultural, humanitarian and educational cooperation, reflecting the deep, fraternal nature of the Turkmen-Tajik partnership. Cultural Days are regularly held, and joint projects in the fields of science, education, and art are being implemented.
A striking example of successful humanitarian cooperation was the opening of a secondary school named after Magtymguly Fragi with 540 places in the Dusti district of the Khatlon region of the Republic of Tajikistan. The groundbreaking and opening ceremonies of the educational institution, held with the participation of the Presidents of the two countries in a video format, have become a clear symbol of strengthening cultural and educational ties.
In May 2024, the Magtymguly Fragi Cultural and Park Complex was opened in Ashgabat, where a monument to the Tajik poet Sayyido Nasafi Mirobid was built, which became another evidence of mutual respect for the spiritual heritage of the peoples of the two countries. Cooperation in the educational sphere is expanding, and work is underway to provide quotas for the education of citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan in higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan.
Today, Turkmen-Tajik relations demonstrate a high level of trust, mutual support and mature strategic partnership, forming a solid foundation for further deepening cooperation and strengthening peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia. ///originally published by Khovar News Agency, 27 January 2026 (https://avesta.tj/2026/01/27/33-goda-vzaimnogo-doveriya-i-sozidaniya-turkmenistan-i-tadzhikistan-na-puti-strategicheskogo-partnyorstva/ )