Turkmenistan Eyes Integration within Turkic Community
Turkmenistan is poised to enhance its ties with the Turkic world, with Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty (People's Council) Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov revealing plans for the nation's potential accession to the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) by 2024 during his visit to Türkiye.
Berdimuhamedov shared the news with reporters following his participation in the third Antalya Diplomatic Forum, highlighting Turkmenistan’s upcoming celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of revered Turkmen poet and philosopher, Magtymguly Fragi. As part of the festivities, a summit dedicated to Fragi is scheduled, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressing interest in attending. Berdimuhamedov suggested that Turkmenistan might formalize its membership in the Organization of Turkic States during this event.
Turkmenistan, the sole Turkic-speaking state in Central Asia, currently holds observer status within the OTS, alongside Hungary and Northern Cyprus.
Last year, at the UTC summit in Astana, Berdimuhamedov proposed a roadmap for fostering cooperation within the organization, particularly in the energy sector. Highlighting Turkmenistan’s significant energy resources, he emphasized the nation’s commitment to ensuring reliable and secure energy exports to global markets, including neighboring countries and regional partners.
In November 2023, during a meeting in Ankara with Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underscored the importance of strengthening ties within the Turkic community. Erdogan expressed Türkiye’s desire to see Turkmenistan transition from an observer to a full-fledged member of the Organization of Turkic States, signaling Ankara’s commitment to deepening Turkic integration.
