The shared historical and cultural heritage, as well as the proximity of traditions and customs, largely define the current state of interaction between the Republic of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, characterized by a high level of political trust and dynamic development of trade-economic and scientific-cultural ties. This is highlighted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to Turkmenistan, Vafo Alibek Niyatbekzoda, in his article “Cooperation of Strategic Partners” published in the newspaper *Neutral Turkmenistan*.
Every year on 9 September, the Republic of Tajikistan celebrates Independence Day, one of the country’s main state holidays, symbolizing 34 years of state sovereignty.
Over these 34 years of independence, Tajikistan has achieved impressive results in various sectors. As noted in the article, Tajikistan’s economy demonstrates stable growth: in 2024, GDP increased by 8.4%, with an average growth rate of 7.7% over the past five years. Currently, over 98% of the electricity generated in the republic is environmentally clean, with plans underway to construct wind and solar power plants.
The transport infrastructure is also actively developing. In 2024 alone, Tajikistan commissioned over 155 kilometers of roads of international significance as part of state investment projects and repaired or reconstructed more than 2,000 kilometers of highways. This progress allowed Tajikistan to rise to 44th place in the global road quality ranking, according to the World Economic Forum.
The social sector remains a priority: over the years of independence, Tajikistan has built more than 3,670 new secondary schools, 262 preschool institutions, and 35 higher education institutions.
Turkmen-Tajik Relations
As Ambassador Vafo Alibek Niyatbekzoda emphasizes, Turkmen-Tajik relations are grounded in centuries-old values and traditions of creativity and humanism. The legal framework for bilateral relations, established in 1993 with the Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, now includes approximately 138 documents covering all areas of cooperation.
The political dialogue between the two countries is at a high level. A significant role in deepening the strategic partnership is played by the leaders of both nations: President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. A notable example of the high level of political contacts is the working visit of President Emomali Rahmon to Turkmenistan on August 4–5, 2025, to participate in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries.
In the economic sphere, there is a growing volume of trade turnover with an expanding range of supplied products. According to the Agency for Statistics under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, in the first seven months of 2025, mutual trade with Turkmenistan grew by 85.4%, reflecting the strengthening of trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan actively cooperate within international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, CIS, as well as in the format of Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State and regional cooperation frameworks involving global actors (C5+).
“In general, Tajik-Turkmen relations are characterized by a high level of trust, friendship, and good-neighborliness, as well as a strong dynamic in maintaining political and diplomatic contacts,” Ambassador Vafo Alibek Niyatbekzoda concluded. ///nCa, 9 September 2025