Turkiye marks 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Turkmenistan

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkiye on Monday marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan.

The two countries established diplomatic ties on Feb. 29, 1992.

"Today, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations with the friendly and brotherly Turkmenistan," said a Foreign Ministry statement.

Recalling that Turkiye was "the first country to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence and open an embassy there," the statement noted that the two countries gain "its strength from our brotherhood based on the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between our peoples."

"Our bilateral relations and cooperation have developed and strengthened in all areas over the past 30 years, on the basis of mutual respect and common interests," it added.

Stating that the "common language, culture, faith and roots" connect the two countries "with a bond that goes beyond our common interests," the statement highlighted that the bilateral ties "have recently gained momentum in almost every field."

Turkiye and Turkmenistan's bilateral relations "were further strengthened following Turkmenistan’s observer status at the Organization of Turkic States, and were crowned with the reciprocal visits of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in 2021," according to the statement

"Reciprocal steps to be taken in the coming period in trade, investments, energy, transportation, culture, education and many other fields will contribute to the further broadening and deepening of our bilateral cooperation," it said.

Ankara further hailed Turkmenistan's contributions within its region over the course of 30 years, saying that the country has added "to the establishment of stability and prosperity in its region with its 'Permanent Neutrality Policy' which has been appreciated and supported by the international community as well as our country."

Noting that Turkiye "will continue to stand by Turkmenistan in the future" as it did in the past, the statement affirmed Ankara's "determination to strengthen further our robust brotherhood and develop our cooperation in all fields with our ancestral land Turkmenistan."