Ashgabat, October 15, 2025 – The Europe Today: A major step forward in Turkmen-Russian economic cooperation was achieved during the recent meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Russian Commission on Economic Cooperation, where the heads of the two countries’ customs services held talks and signed a landmark agreement.
The meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan and Deputy Head of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, Sergey Vladimirovich Shklyaev, focused on the current state and future prospects of cooperation in the customs sector.
A key outcome of the talks was the signing of an agreement between the Federal Customs Service of Russia and the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan on establishing a simplified procedure for customs operations related to the movement of goods and vehicles.
Known as the Simplified Customs Corridor, the new mechanism aims to create favorable conditions for mutual trade, accelerate customs procedures, and enhance the overall efficiency of customs administration. The agreement is expected to significantly reduce border crossing times for cargo, which will play a crucial role in the development of the International North–South Transport Corridor, where both Turkmenistan and Russia are key partners.
In addition to signing the agreement, the parties discussed several important areas for further cooperation, with a strong focus on the digitalization of customs processes. This will facilitate the introduction of advanced electronic technologies for cargo monitoring and clearance.
The officials also emphasized the importance of personnel training and expert exchanges to harmonize operational approaches and enhance the professionalism of customs officers in both countries. Discussions further covered coordination within international frameworks, including the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), reaffirming both nations’ commitment to aligning their customs practices with international standards.
The successful conclusion of the negotiations and the signing of the Simplified Customs Corridor agreement underscore the continued strengthening of the strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation in foreign trade, logistics, and economic cooperation.
