Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov concluded a two-day state visit to Georgia, during which the parties signed a Joint Statement and a package of nearly two dozen bilateral documents, while the two countries' business communities concluded a number of commercial agreements, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

Arrival and negotiations with the President of Georgia

The state visit began on July 16. The President of Turkmenistan's plane landed at Tbilisi's Shota Rustaveli International Airport, where the head of state was met by Georgian officials. From the airport, the motorcade headed to the Orbeliani Palace, where the official welcoming ceremony and negotiations between Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili took place.

The parties discussed the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, including interparliamentary dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, transport and logistics, and cultural and humanitarian ties. Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the visit coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and invited his Georgian counterpart to visit Turkmenistan. Kavelashvili expressed confidence that the visit would open a new chapter in interstate relations.

Business forum and exhibition

On the same day, the Turkmen-Georgian business forum was held at the Expo Georgia exhibition center with the participation of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Speaking at the forum, Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced negotiations to establish a cargo terminal for Turkmenistan on Georgia's Black Sea coast.

Following the forum, entrepreneurs from the two countries held more than 50 bilateral meetings, concluding a number of agreements, including on the export of confectionery and household chemicals, logistics services, and insurance. At the same time, an exhibition of Turkmen products opened at the Expo Georgia site with the participation of relevant ministries and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan.

Day two: negotiations with the Prime Minister and signing of documents

On July 17, the visit continued with a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to heroes in Heroes' Square in Tbilisi, after which Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks with Irakli Kobakhidze – first in a one-on-one format, then in an expanded format with the participation of delegations.

The parties discussed transport projects – the Lazuli corridor (involving Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye) and the Caspian Sea – Black Sea corridor (involving Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania), as well as cooperation in energy, tourism, and science. The President of Turkmenistan proposed considering the establishment of sister city relations between Turkmenbashi and Batumi.

Following the talks, the parties signed a Joint Statement, as well as approximately 20 interdepartmental memoranda – in the areas of foreign policy, financial monitoring, culture, education, healthcare, industry, maritime and rail transport. In particular, the agreements covered cooperation between the two countries' Foreign Ministries, the Ministries of Economy, Culture, Education, and Health, as well as specialized universities, museums, and theaters of Turkmenistan and Georgia.

Final statements

Commenting on the results of the visit to journalists, Kobakhidze stated that Georgia views Turkmenistan as a friendly state and a reliable partner in Central Asia, noting the large-scale modernization projects being implemented in the Turkmen economy. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, for his part, called the talks productive and emphasized the parties' readiness to further expand political dialogue and trade and economic ties. He also proposed a large-scale celebration next year of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Having completed the visit, the President of Turkmenistan and the Prime Minister of Georgia headed to Tbilisi airport, from where the head of the Turkmen state flew back to his homeland.