BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. Turkmenistan and
Japan held inter-ministerial talks in Ashgabat to discuss the
current state and prospects for developing bilateral relations.
This was reflected in a press release published by the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on August 30.
According to the ministry, the talks were held between
delegations led by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, who arrived in
Ashgabat on a visit. The sides discussed political and diplomatic,
trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
The ministers emphasized the importance of regular high-level
contacts in giving fresh impetus to bilateral relations. They
particularly highlighted visits to Japan by National Leader of the
Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly
Berdimuhamedov and President of Turkmenistan Serdar
Berdimuhamedov.
The sides expressed interest in strengthening practical
cooperation between the foreign ministries with Turkmen side
greeting Japan for supporting Turkmenistan's foreign policy of
permanent neutrality, the report says.
The parties also noted the effectiveness of coordinating their
positions within international organizations, particularly the
United Nations.
According to the press release, the sides further emphasized the
importance of cooperation within the Central Asia + Japan dialogue
framework.
Meanwhile, Japan and Turkmenistan have also been expanding
cooperation beyond traditional energy and industrial projects. In
December 2025, the two countries joined other Central Asian states
and Japan in the first Central Asia-Japan Summit in Tokyo, where
the sides adopted the Tokyo Declaration and an action plan covering
economic development, connectivity, climate change and human
resource development. The framework has provided an additional
platform for advancing Japanese business engagement in Turkmenistan
and identifying new areas for cooperation.
Japan has also been supporting Turkmenistan through technical
cooperation and capacity building. In 2026, discussions between
Turkmen officials and the Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) covered areas including hydrogen energy, digitalization,
healthcare, artificial intelligence, water management and
sustainable development, indicating a gradual broadening of
bilateral economic cooperation beyond large-scale industrial
projects.
Earlier on January 21, Turkmen Ambassador to Japan Atadurdy
Bayramov and Chairman of the Japan-Turkmen Committee for Economic
Cooperation Hiroyuki Tsubai discussed plans for economic
cooperation in 2026, as well as the implementation of joint
projects to further strengthen the bilateral partnership. The
projects include initiatives outlined by the Turkmen president
during the first Central Asia + Japan Dialogue Summit, held in
Tokyo on December 20.
