Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s Shuttle Diplomacy

Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (Parliament) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continues his Central Asian tour. On April 23, he arrived in Uzbekistan for a two-day visit, and held official talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand. Previous visits to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are notable for the fact that Berdimuhamedov did not visit the capitals of these countries, but places of special importance to the Turkic world. This fact, along with the discussion of economic and geostrategic policy issues with Sadyr Japarov and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, gives the tour a special political connotation.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, despite the official transfer of power to his son Serdar (Serdar Berdimuhamedov is the President of Turkmenistan), remains actively involved in the political life of the country, especially in matters of regional cooperation in Central Asia. This is confirmed by his visits to the countries of the region. In Kazakhstan, he visited not the capital Astana, but the regional city of Turkestan, considered the spiritual center of the Turkic world. In particular, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited one of the greatest spiritual shrines of the Turkic world – the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In Kyrgyzstan, Berdimuhamedov visited Cholpon Ata, the cultural heart of the country, where the Rukh Ordo complex is located, which allowed him to become deeply familiar with the history and traditions of the Kyrgyz people. 

“The geopolitical situation around Central Asia is becoming more complex and multifaceted. The region is facing a number of diverse challenges that require a balanced and coordinated response from the Central Asian States. Among these challenges, we can single out some, such as the problems of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which continues to affect regional stability, and tariff sanctions from the United States, which carry potential economic risks, and rapprochement with the EU and the Persian Gulf countries. In this regard, it is particularly important to develop a consolidated position of the Central Asian countries,” Stanislav Pritchin, Head of the Central Asia Sector at the IMEMO RAS, told NG. According to him, an active dialogue at the highest level between the Central Asian states has been underway recently.

Recall that following the results of the first Central Asia–European Union summit, held on April 3-4 in Samarkand, the leaders of the EU, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration expressing their commitment to the UN Security Council resolutions, according to which the declaration of independence of Northern Cyprus, inhabited by Turks, is considered illegitimate. Ankara’s harsh reaction was immediate. Turkish media and experts called the decision of the Central Asian countries a “blow to Turkic unity.” Minister of Transport of the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Erhan Erikci demanded that Ankara take retaliatory measures against the countries of Central Asia.

“Regular meetings of the heads of state indicate a desire to jointly find solutions to the most pressing problems. The upcoming meeting with Turkmenistan, which traditionally adheres to neutrality, is likely to serve as a platform for an informal discussion of common approaches to pressing issues on the regional and global agenda. This format allows for a more open and constructive exchange of views and finding common ground on key issues, which contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation in the region,” Pritchin stressed.

First of all, trade and economic cooperation was discussed. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed to increase the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to $ 1 billion. The two countries have plans for strategically important projects in the gas industry and the transport and logistics sector. 

Sadyr Japarov noted the positive dynamics in trade between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and suggested that Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov create a joint Kyrgyz-Turkmen development fund, following the example of the same funds that Bishkek has already launched together with Russia, Hungary, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Berdimuhamedov, in turn, declared his readiness for closer cooperation.

Arkadag (patron – title of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov) met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Samarkand on the evening of April 23. The agenda of the talks includes further strengthening of Uzbek–Turkmen strategic partnership relations and expanding multifaceted cooperation, primarily in the political, interparliamentary, trade, economic, transport, communication, cultural and humanitarian spheres. These trips show that Berdimuhamedov Sr. continues to play an important role in shaping Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and strengthening its ties with its neighbors.

The question of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s possible visit to Tajikistan remains intriguing. The logic of his Central Asian tour, with an emphasis on the Turkic heritage, suggests that Khujand, a city in the north of the country where rich Turkic history and the presence of a significant Uzbek diaspora are intertwined, will become the meeting place. This would fit harmoniously into the Turkic context of the trips of the national leader of Turkmenistan.

Against this background, attention is drawn to the announcement of the resumption of direct flights of Turkmenistan Airlines to Moscow from May 1 (after a break since December last year) and a possible reduction in the number of Turkish Airlines flights to Ashgabat. Berdymukhamedov’s diplomatic activity takes on an even more interesting tone.