Awaza, October 9, 2026 – The Europe Today: Leaders of Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan convened the Eighth Consultative Meeting in the National Tourist Zone of Awaza, Turkmenistan, on Thursday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and advancing joint initiatives in political, economic and cultural fields.
The meeting was attended by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The gathering underscored the importance of regional dialogue, good-neighbourly relations and coordinated efforts to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
Turkmenistan has consistently pursued a policy of positive neutrality, emphasizing the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation with countries worldwide, particularly its neighbours. The country advocates a balanced and comprehensive approach to regional engagement, recognizing Central Asia’s growing significance in continental and global affairs.
The Consultative Meetings of Central Asian leaders have emerged as an important platform for open and constructive dialogue, enabling participating countries to address emerging regional challenges, coordinate priorities and advance initiatives based on mutual interests.
Turkmenistan has continued to support efforts to strengthen the effectiveness of this format under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the guidance of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty and National Leader of the Turkmen People.
During the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza in August 2025, Turkmenistan proposed convening an extraordinary consultative meeting of Central Asian heads of state. The initiative also paved the way for Azerbaijan to join the format as a full-fledged participant.
Addressing the gathering, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the growing importance of the consultative mechanism, noting that it had evolved beyond a regional platform for political communication into a format with wider international significance.
At the eighth meeting, the participating leaders discussed ways to further strengthen political and diplomatic ties, expand trade and economic cooperation, enhance cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and advance the practical implementation of joint initiatives.
The discussions reflected a shared commitment to deepening regional partnerships and making more effective use of the countries’ economic, transport and strategic potential.
Following the negotiations, the participants adopted the decision titled “On the Regulatory Documents of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan,” alongside the Joint Statement of the Eighth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian Countries and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The outcomes are expected to provide a framework for continued dialogue and cooperation, reinforcing regional coordination and efforts to promote stability, connectivity and sustainable development.
The participation of Azerbaijan as a full-fledged member further broadens the scope of the consultative format, strengthening links between the South Caucasus and Central Asia and creating additional opportunities for cooperation on matters of shared regional and international interest.
