Ashgabat, May 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov is scheduled to visit Astana, the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to participate in the first-ever Central Asia–Italy Summit. The announcement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov during an online session of the Turkmen Government on Thursday.
According to Turkmenistan’s official media, the President’s visit reaffirms the country’s commitment to its foreign policy priority of promoting mutually beneficial cooperation with European nations, particularly the Italian Republic. Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and Italy were formally established in 1992, and since then, both countries have maintained steady political and diplomatic engagement, including collaboration within major international organizations.
Italy has been a consistent supporter of Turkmenistan’s initiatives on the global stage, co-sponsoring eight resolutions proposed by Turkmenistan at the United Nations General Assembly. This cooperation underscores the strength of the bilateral partnership and a shared commitment to multilateral diplomacy.
Economic ties between the two nations continue to grow, supported by active engagement between their respective business communities. Several prominent Italian companies are currently operating in Turkmenistan, contributing to the development of key sectors of the national economy. Furthermore, cultural and humanitarian cooperation — especially in the field of archaeology — remains an important dimension of bilateral relations.
The legal foundation of Turkmenistan–Italy cooperation is reinforced by 37 intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements, which regulate diverse areas of partnership.
High-level exchanges have played a significant role in advancing relations. The President of Turkmenistan previously paid official visits to Italy in 2009 and 2019, as well as a working visit in 2015. In return, the then-Prime Minister of Italy visited Turkmenistan in 2014 for a working meeting.
The upcoming summit in Astana is anticipated to serve as a pivotal platform for strengthening strategic dialogue and expanding regional cooperation between Central Asia and Italy, enhancing connectivity and fostering sustainable development across multiple sectors.
