The National Leader of Turkmenistan embarked on a regional tour visiting neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan just shortly after the EU-Central Asia summit in Samarkand. Another indication on who really is the decision-maker in the Central Asian nation.
On April 21 Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, National Leader of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, arrived in the southern Kazakh city of Turkistan. Hosted by the Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, he toured Turkistan’s historical sites, including the Timurid Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The following day both leaders discussed more serious matters.
In a meeting attended by Berdymukahmedov, Tokayev and officials from both countries, a number of topics were raised. The main ones related to gas and transit. The potential involvement of Kazakhstan in the development of Turkmenistan’s largest gas field, Galkynysh, was mentioned by both parties. The Turkmen side also highlighted working on providing Turkmen gas to Kazakhstan. It is worth noting that despite the signing of an agreement between QazaqGaz and Turkmengaz in October 2022 to import Turkmen gas, there is no indication to what extent it has materialised thus far. Similarly, both entities also signed another agreement in October 2024 but little has happened since.
The North-South corridor was also discussed in Turkistan. Both countries are a key component of the trade route connecting Russia with the Persian Gulf. This is the reason why the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway and the Turkmenbashi–Garabogaz–Kazakhstan highway were also covered. The Turkmen leader went further, suggesting the establishment of a joint Turkmen-Kazakh transport and logistics company. Tokayev meanwhile brought attention to the soon-to-be built by Kazakhstan Turghundi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin Boldak railway which will traverse Afghanistan, from its border with Turkmenistan to that with Pakistan.
From the desert to the lake
From Turkistan, Berdymukhamedov headed to the shores of the picturesque Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan, where he was welcomed by President Sadyr Japarov. Besides walking by the lake and visiting a cultural complex, both leaders discussed multiple subjects with transit being the most noteworthy one. Turkmenistan can offer Kyrgyzstan a route to the Persian Gulf, via Uzbekistan and Iran. With this in mind, they announced the establishment of a joint Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission on Transport, Transit and Logistics.
Samarkand once again
The National Leader’s next and final stop was more eventful. The destination was no other than Samarkand, the site of the EU-Central Asia summit that had taken place three weeks prior and that was attended by his son Serdar.
As it was the case in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, during the first day Berdymukhamedov enjoyed some of the city’s sites. From the terribly artificial Eternal City tourism complex to Islam Karimov’s mausoleum. Both leaders seem to enjoy a good personal relationship since Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016, and that was apparent during this visit.
The following day, Turkmen and Uzbek delegations met to discuss business. Trade, including the upcoming Shavat-Dashoguz trade zone, economic cooperation and gas were discussed. In addition, Berdymukhamedov was awarded with Uzbekistan’s highest state award, the Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik order. As expected, Mirziyoyev did not raise the plight of ethnic Uzbeks in Turkmenistan.
Coincidentally, or not, at the same time as Berdymukhamedov and Mirziyoyev were enjoying each other’s company, Samarkand was also hosting Russia’s Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov. However, there was no official statement about Lavrov and the Turkmen leader meeting in the Uzbek city.
A family affair
What set the Uzbek leg of the trip apart was the inclusion of Berdymukhamedov’s own daughter, Oguljahan. In a rare foreign trip, she played the role of the first wive and was hosted by Mirziyoyev’s own daughter Saida. A first in Turkmen-Uzbek relations and an interesting development
Both women visited Samarkand’s main sights including the famed Registan and Tamerlane’s mausoleum, the Gur-e Amir. The significance of the this cannot be understated. In the past few months, Turkmenistan has witnessed the rise of Berdymukhamedov Senior’s eldest daughter. The reason for that is still unclear, but as Central Asia’s long-time observer Bruce Pannier points out, she could be on her way to becoming speaker of parliament.
While Oguljahan is on her way up, Saida Mirziyoyev has been at the top for some time now. Working in her father’s Presidential Administration since 2022, the following year she became First Assistant to the President, a key role in the country.
Calling the shots
A few weeks before this tour, Turkmenistan’s own president, and son of its National Leader, was in Samarkand attending the EU-Central Asia summit. During his trip, he had time to meet the other Central Asian presidents bilaterally. But in a matter of days, his father embarked on his own tour of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. He did so accompanied by a delegation of top officials which included the veteran Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
Could not have his son Serdar discussed such matters with Tokayev, Japarov and Mirziyoyev back in early April? The apparent answer is no. It is no secret that the former president continues to call the shots regarding the key topics, including foreign policy and energy. It is no coincidence that those topics featured heavily during the trip. And the fact that his visit took place barely a few weeks after the Samarkand summit does nothing to disguise it.
Turkmenistan’s National Leader’s Central Asian trip is still a positive development. The more cooperation and stronger ties between the region’s countries, the better for all parties involved. It will be worth keeping an eye on the different issues discussed. Turkmenistan, if it overcomes its own self-imposed limitations, can play a key role as an energy source and transit partner. But what this trip has also done is further undermine the perception of the president’s say in the country’s foreign affairs. Something which the current regime might come to regret if a real transition is suddenly triggered.
Main photograph source: President.uz