ASHGABAT (AA) – Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said, “The Middle Caspian Corridor has become a safe and mandatory choice for world trade, not an alternative. At this point, Turkey and Turkmenistan are at the center and at the most critical threshold of this vital route.” he said. Vice President Yılmaz and Turkmenistan Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Nökerguli Ataguliyev held one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings at the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Meeting Hall in Ashgabat.
Following the meetings, the 9th Term Turkmenistan-Türkiye Intergovernmental Economic Commission (HEK) Meeting was held under the chairmanship of Yılmaz and Ataguliyev. After the meeting, Yılmaz and Ataguliyev signed the 9th Term HEK Protocol on economic cooperation and the 71-item action plan within this scope. Speaking before the meeting, Cevdet Yılmaz emphasized that although Turkey and Turkmenistan appear to be two separate states with borders on the maps, they are actually two close strategic partners who share common history, culture, deep-rooted memory and, most importantly, a common vision of the future.
Yılmaz stated that bilateral trade with Turkmenistan amounted to 2.2 billion dollars last year and that their goal is to reach the trade volume of 5 billion dollars as soon as possible. – “We are ready to mobilize all our resources” Pointing out that updating the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments Agreement is important, Yılmaz pointed out that Turkish contractors have undertaken 1101 projects worth 56 billion dollars in Turkmenistan to date.
Emphasizing that they are very pleased to be a part of Turkmenistan’s development process, Yılmaz said: “Today, global trade and supply chains are undergoing a great transformation. The Northern Corridor, which has been used for years, has become unpredictable due to geopolitical tensions and conflicts in our region. The Southern route is pushing the limits of its capacity due to both security risks and structural problems.
In such a situation, the Middle Caspian Corridor is no longer an alternative, but a safe and mandatory choice for world trade. “At this point, Türkiye and Turkmenistan are located at the center and at the most critical threshold of this vital route.” Yılmaz pointed out that the Central Corridor, which the two countries will strengthen together, is the main backbone that will carry not only the trade of the two countries but also the burden, energy and future of the entire Eurasia, and said, “The stronger this line, the faster our customs and transit processes are, the more permanent and unshakable the common prosperity we will build on this line will be.” he said.
Pointing out that Turkmenistan is a visionary and key actor in the global energy equation with its huge natural gas reserves and modern infrastructure, Yılmaz continued as follows: “In this regard, we see the energy cooperation between us as not only a commercial exchange but also a key element for regional stability and global supply security. We are ready to mobilize all our resources at every stage, from exploration to production of hydrocarbon resources, from transportation to delivery to world markets.
We are determined to take part in new fields with our national companies BOTAŞ, TPAO and TPIC, and to cooperate in all kinds of ways for the transportation of Turkmen gas to Europe via the Caspian lines and Türkiye. “This unshakable partnership in the field of energy will both contribute to the economic integration of the Turkish world and make the Caspian Sea the heart of global connectivity.” – “Our new action plan consists of 71 articles and has a very wide range.” Yılmaz stated that it is important to sign the Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Education between the two countries immediately and said that they expect to reach a concrete agreement on this issue in the coming period.
Emphasizing that he believes that the establishment of the legal entity of the foundation in the country by signing the memorandum of understanding that will enable the Turkish Maarif Foundation to open a school in Turkmenistan, Yılmaz said that he believes that the bond between the two countries will keep alive for generations: “We are very pleased with the items we have implemented in our 87 action plan that we signed at the 8th Term HEK Meeting in 2025.
We hope that the unfinished articles will be implemented quickly in the new period. Our new action plan, which we will sign today, consists of 71 articles and has a very wide range. We have new substances and areas of work in every field, from trade to industry, from transportation to energy, and from education to agriculture. “I would like to underline once again the importance of our institutions embracing our goals and realizing the items they are responsible for until the next HEK meeting.” Yılmaz wished that the protocol and action plan would be beneficial for both countries and thanked everyone who contributed.
Vice President Yılmaz then visited the People’s Rights Memorial Complex and laid a wreath at the monument there.
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