Elvira Kadyrova
On 24 October 2026, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Turkmenistan Şener Cebeci hosted a breakfast for representatives of Turkmenistan’s public and private media at his official residence in Ashgabat. The meetin provided an opportunity to review joint initiatives in tourism and discuss new avenues for cooperation between the Turkish side and Turkmen media.
Following introductions, the guests gathered around a table featuring a traditional Turkish breakfast complemented by elements of Turkmen cuisine.
In his remarks, Ambassador Cebeci spoke about the Embassy’s engagement with Turkmen journalists, highlighting efforts to promote Türkiye’s tourism potential through media coverage and familiarisation trips for media representatives.
As part of these initiatives, two journalists from Turkmenistan took part in a programme organised by the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) in connection with TEKNOFEST, the aerospace, technology and innovation festival held at Şanlıurfa Airport from 30 September to 4 October 2026. The journalists visited Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa.
Another trip took place on 10–14 October through cooperation between TGA and the Ashgabat office of Turkish Airlines, with support from the Turkish Embassy. The 11-member delegation, comprising ten media representatives working in Turkmenistan and a local staff member of the Office of the Culture and Tourism Counsellor, explored the historical and tourist attractions of Çanakkale and Balıkesir provinces.
The itinerary included the Olive Oil Museum, the Kazdağları Mountains, the ancient city of Assos, the Troy Museum and the archaeological site of ancient Troy, the Gallipoli Historical Site and the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial.
Cebeci also cited figures pointing to growing interest among Turkmenistan’s citizens in travelling to Türkiye. From January to August 2026, a total of 151,887 visitors from Turkmenistan travelled to Türkiye, up 20.46% from the same period in 2025.
In 2025, Türkiye welcomed 64 million tourists and generated $65.2 billion in tourism revenue, setting a new record. The country aims to increase tourism revenue to $68 billion in 2026.
Türkiye has also strengthened its position in the global tourism market. Having ranked eighth worldwide in tourist arrivals in 2017, it rose to fourth place in 2024.
According to the Ambassador, a total of 84 people visited different regions of Türkiye under 14 hosting programmes organised between 2023 and 2026.
Cebeci emphasised the role of the media in bringing the two countries closer. Describing the media as one of the strongest pillars supporting bridges between nations and carrying friendship into the future, he cited the long-standing work of TRT’s Ashgabat office and the broadcasting of TRT Avaz to audiences across the Turkic world as notable examples.
The ambassador expressed hope that cooperation with Turkmenistan’s public and private media would continue to expand. He also stressed that the Embassy is open to new proposals and joint projects. The breakfast, he said, offered not only an opportunity to review the results of recent media trips but also a chance to discuss further steps through direct dialogue.
Cebeci added that preparations were under way for important summits and anniversary events expected to take Türkiye–Turkmenistan relations to a new level.
He reaffirmed that, in line with the strong commitment of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen people, the Embassy would continue to support the development of bilateral ties across all areas for the benefit of both nations.
Following the ambassador’s remarks, guests were served baklava, ice cream and Turkish coffee. Over dessert, journalists who had previously visited Türkiye on various media trips shared their impressions.
Their conversations touched on the country’s natural landscapes, historical landmarks and culinary traditions, all of which contribute to Türkiye’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. A week-long trip can leave warm memories that last for years, while phones and computers preserve thousands of photographs and video recordings, allowing those experiences to be revisited and shared with wider audiences.
The gathering highlighted how media trips offer more than an opportunity to produce reports and introduce readers to the culture of a country with deep historical and cultural ties to Turkmenistan. By raising awareness of its attractions, such coverage can also encourage tourism and help strengthen people-to-people connections.
Summarizing the exchange of views, one conclusion stood out: the slogan ‘Türkmenistan we Türkiýe — iki döwlet, bir millet’ (Turkmenistan and Türkiye — two states, one nation) is more than an official expression. Its meaning is reflected in welcoming gatherings and sincere conversations such as the breakfast hosted by Ambassador Şener Cebeci.///nCa, 24 October 2026
Here are some photos from the event:
