Ashgabat, July 18, 2026 – The Europe Today: Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova held talks with a delegation led by Choi Hyung Du, Chair of the Korea–Turkmen Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, on July 16, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to expanding parliamentary cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.
During the meeting, the South Korean delegation was briefed on the main priorities of Turkmenistan’s domestic and foreign policy, which are founded on the principles of positive neutrality, peace, humanism, and mutual trust. The delegation also received an overview of the structure and activities of the Mejlis, including its role in providing the legislative framework for the country’s ongoing socio-economic reforms.
The two sides exchanged views on the current state of political and diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea, emphasizing the importance of closer cooperation in promoting peace, strengthening mutual trust among nations, expanding friendly ties, and enhancing inter-parliamentary dialogue.
Participants underscored the growing significance of parliamentary diplomacy as an important component of the broader bilateral partnership, highlighting its contribution to strengthening cooperation across political, economic, and humanitarian fields.
Particular attention was given to the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Parliamentary Forum, established following a proposal by the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during his visit to the Republic of Korea in 2022. The forum was described as an important platform for promoting dialogue and strengthening friendship between the Republic of Korea and the countries of Central Asia.
The meeting also highlighted the international significance of Turkmenistan’s proposal, presented during the plenary meeting marking the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly, to designate 2028 as the “Year of International Law.” The initiative aims to reinforce the role of international law while promoting trust, dialogue, and cooperation among nations.
Both sides further noted the importance of the working visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to Turkmenistan, describing it as a key step in elevating political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries.
The participants agreed that inter-parliamentary cooperation has become an active and indispensable element of Turkmenistan–Republic of Korea relations. They emphasized that the activities of bilateral parliamentary friendship groups provide valuable opportunities to exchange legislative experience, promote each other’s international initiatives and humanitarian policies, and further strengthen interstate relations through parliamentary diplomacy.
