From July 16 to 17, 2025, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Chairman of Turkmenistan’s People’s Council, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. Welcomed by a high-level state delegation, he joined President Ilham Aliyev on a tour of the liberated territories of Karabakh, including Fuzuli and Shusha. More than a symbolic gesture, the visit underscored the growing depth of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations and their evolving strategic partnership.
According to Berdymukhamedov, the visit aimed to deepen bilateral ties, lock in past gains, and initiate new collaborative ventures. International observers have framed the trip as a sign of increasing multidimensional cooperation spanning politics, energy, culture, and transportation. As TurkicWorld noted, the visit injected fresh momentum into plans for joint efforts in sectors ranging from logistics to digital technologies.
Energy Diplomacy: Dostlug Field and Pipeline Futures
A focal point of the talks was the long-contested Caspian offshore oil and gas field known as Dostlug (“Friendship”) — a project that had once been a source of dispute between the two countries. Now reframed as a joint venture, the field could hold tens of billions of cubic meters of natural gas and hundreds of millions of barrels of oil.
Eurasianet labeled the agreement on Dostlug a “landmark moment,” suggesting it could reshape energy flows into Europe. The very name “Dostlug” signals political compromise and a pivot toward pragmatic friendship. European analysts see the deal as a possible prelude to the long-delayed Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, providing Turkmenistan a long-sought route to European markets and helping Azerbaijan diversify supply sources.
The visit also featured progress on regional transit. Cargo volumes on the Baku-Turkmenbashi route have nearly tripled. Momentum is building around the Lapis Lazuli corridor, connecting Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Newly signed logistics agreements point to an acceleration in east-west freight transport, enhancing Eurasia’s connectivity.
Symbolism and Soft Power in Karabakh
Berdymukhamedov’s arrival in Fuzuli on an official jet was accompanied by full honors. He toured restored airports in Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin, as well as housing developments and ongoing construction in Shusha. These areas, long ravaged by conflict, are being rapidly rebuilt by Azerbaijan.
In Shusha, the Turkmen delegation visited emblematic cultural sites: the house-museum of famed singer Bulbul, the Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, and the Mehmandarov mansion. These restored landmarks reflect the region’s Turkic heritage and shared identity.
On the historic Jydyr Duzu plain, Berdymukhamedov received a Karabakh horse named Dostlug as a gift—a symbol of unity and brotherhood among Turkic peoples.
Cultural Diplomacy and Human Connection
The Turkmen leader’s wife and daughter joined the visit, touring the National Carpet Museum and Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. The visit was marked by exchanges of national carpets, books, and artworks—gestures that reinforced cultural ties and historical kinship.
Weeks prior, Deputy Prime Minister Rashid Meredov visited the city of Khankendi and praised Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts. He declared Turkmenistan’s readiness to engage in cultural and humanitarian initiatives, including organizing Turkmen Culture Days in Azerbaijan and vice versa.
Political Alignment and Multilateral Strategy
Turkmenistan has consistently supported Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and signaled interest in postwar reconstruction. Berdymukhamedov’s visit to Fuzuli and Shusha served as an affirmation of that stance. It is speculated Turkmenistan could contribute to rebuilding efforts through initiatives such as schools or cultural centers.
Diplomatically, both nations maintain a strong alignment in multilateral arenas, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Turkic States. This harmony enhances regional stability and projects a unified Turkic voice in global affairs.
What This Visit Reveals
Berdymukhamedov’s 2025 visit cemented the evolution of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations into a full-spectrum partnership. It highlighted:
- Deep political trust
- Joint energy development with strategic implications
- Shared infrastructure agendas advancing Eurasian integration
- Rich cultural diplomacy grounded in Turkic heritage
- Coordination on international platforms
The gesture went beyond ceremony. It signaled maturity in Turkic cooperation, where culture, pipelines, and politics converge into a coherent regional strategy. More than a display of fraternal goodwill, the visit affirmed that Central Asia and the South Caucasus are crafting their own geopolitical narrative—one of connectivity, sovereignty, and strategic depth.
