Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov Visits Georgia
Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, accompanied by a delegation, visited Georgia on July 16-17, marking the first state-level visit by a Turkmen leader to the country since 2015.
The visit came as Tbilisi stepped up engagement with Central Asian countries amid growing interest in the Middle Corridor, a trade route linking Asia and Europe while bypassing Russia.
Georgian Dream government officials, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, traveled to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan over three consecutive weeks in June, while Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited Tbilisi in early July. During these trips, Georgia signed strategic partnership agreements with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The increased engagement between Georgia and Central Asian countries also comes amid strained relations between Tbilisi and its traditional Western partners, including the United States and the European Union.
Berdimuhamedov arrived at Tbilisi airport on July 16, where he was welcomed by Georgian Dream Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani. He was then received with an official welcoming ceremony at the Orbeliani Presidential Palace in central Tbilisi by GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili. Later that day, the Georgia-Turkmenistan Business Forum opened, with Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov delivering speeches.
On July 17, Berdimuhamedov met with Kobakhidze first in a one-on-one meeting and then in an expanded format with the participation of ministers from both countries. The two leaders also made joint statements to the press.
Meeting with Kavelashvili
During a one-on-one meeting between Kavelashvili and Berdimuhamedov on July 16, the talks focused on “prospects for expanding cooperation,” particularly trade and economic relations, investments, energy, transport, and logistics, as well as “more effective utilization of the strategic potential of the Middle Corridor,” according to a press release from the presidential administration.
The sides also noted that Georgia, as a “key link” connecting Europe and Asia, is “interested in deepening transit connections, including through the future use of opportunities offered by the Black Sea ports and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.”
They also discussed strengthening cooperation in culture, education, and science.
Kavelashvili thanked Berdimuhamedov for Turkmenistan’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Georgia-Turkmenistan Business Forum
On the evening of July 16, Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov opened the Georgia-Turkmenistan Business Forum. According to the Georgian government, the forum was organized by the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and attended by 250 companies.
In his address, Kobakhidze described the forum as “yet another testament to the successful development of the partnership” between Georgia and Turkmenistan, saying it creates “ever greater opportunities for the private sector, investors and the broader business community.” According to him, Georgia and Turkmenistan are “stable and reliable trading partners,” citing bilateral trade figures and arguing that, despite “encouraging progress,” there remains further potential for development.
He said that the two countries are “more than just trading partners,” serving as “vital bridges” between Europe and Asia. Speaking about the Middle Corridor, he noted, “Georgia’s strategic location in the Black Sea region provides us with a unique opportunity to serve as a connecting link between European markets, Asian countries, and international transport routes,” while “Turkmenistan, as one of the leading economies of Central Asia, is distinguished by its rich natural resources and growing export potential.”
He also highlighted Georgia’s role in the Middle Corridor, including the development of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, and expressed hope that Georgian ports would become “an important platform for Turkmen companies to access regional markets.”
In his address, Berdimuhamedov spoke about Turkmenistan’s economy, economic policies across various sectors, and the importance of cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
Calling on the forum participants to “further develop and strengthen the close ties that already exist between our countries,” Berdimuhamedov said, “Business can play a very important role in further advancing the partnership between our countries in areas such as logistics and infrastructure development, international supply chains and terminal infrastructure.”
“Our focus should not be limited solely to cooperation between state institutions,” he said, “The private sectors should also become actively involved in infrastructure development. Today, we are discussing the establishment of a Turkmen terminal in Georgia, on the Black Sea coast, which would bring our countries even closer together and contribute to the successful development of public-private partnerships (PPP).” He added that the role of the business community in this process is “extremely important.”
Following the opening ceremony, Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov visited an exhibition of Turkmen products, the Georgian government administration said.
Meetings with Kobakhidze, GD Government Members
On July 18, Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov held a one-on-one meeting, during which they “reaffirmed their readiness to further deepen bilateral relations in the political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres,” with a particular focus on transport and energy, the Georgian government administration reported. The two also discussed the Middle Corridor and “expressed their commitment to supporting the further development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor,” it added.
The two leaders then held expanded-format talks with the participation of members of the governments of both countries. The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation across various sectors, with the sides discussing the importance of “deepening trade and economic cooperation and fully realizing the existing potential between the two countries.” The development of the Middle Corridor and related cooperation were also discussed.
According to the Georgian government administration, Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov signed a joint statement, while memoranda of cooperation were also signed between relevant authorities in the fields of finance, economy, transport, healthcare, education, and culture.
Following the meetings, Kobakhidze and Berdimuhamedov made joint statements to the press
In his remarks, Kobakhidze described Turkmenistan as “a reliable partner” and “a friendly state,” saying relations between the two countries are “based on many years of friendship and mutual respect, which provide a solid foundation for further cooperation.” He also reviewed the discussions held between the two sides.
On his part, Berdimuhamedov said Georgia is “one of Turkmenistan’s key economic partners.”
Describing meetings as “friendly and constructive,” the Turkem president said, “We agreed to expand political relations, cooperation and diplomatic efforts to ensure that our partnership continues to develop over the long term. Georgia is one of Turkmenistan’s key economic partners. Turkmenistan highly values Georgia’s constructive position at the international level and recognizes the important contribution Georgia is making to positive development. I would like to express my gratitude to the Prime Minister of Georgia. We are pleased that cooperation mechanisms with international organizations – particularly the United Nations – are expanding.”
The Georgian government administration reported on the afternoon of July 17 that Kobakhidze saw off Turkmenistan’s president and accompanying delegation at Tbilisi International Airport.
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