Login
Login

Foreign relations of Turkmenistan

{{Short description|none}}

{{Politics of Turkmenistan}}

Turkmenistan's declaration of "permanent neutrality" was formally recognized by the United Nations in 1995. Former President Niyazov stated that the neutrality would prevent Turkmenistan from participating in multi-national defense organizations, but allows military assistance. Its neutral foreign policy has an important place in the country's constitution. Although the Government of Turkmenistan claims to favour trade with and export to the United States, and Turkey, its single largest commercial partner is China, which buys the vast bulk of Turkmen natural gas via the Central Asia–China gas pipeline. Turkmenistan has significant commercial relationships with Russia and Iran and growing cross-border trade with Afghanistan. The Government of Turkmenistan often appears to use the conflicting interests of these regional powers as a means to extract concessions, especially on energy issues.

International disputes

Signing of the Caspian Sea convention in 2018 brought only partial resolution of boundary disputes in the Caspian. Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have disputes over water-sharing. Turkmenistan shares a long border with Afghanistan, a principal producer of heroin and opium. As a result, a large volume of narcotics are trafficked through Turkmenistan on their way to lucrative markets in Europe and Russia.{{cite report |title=Illicit Drug Trends in Central Asia |date=April 2008 |publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime |publication-place=Regional Office for Central Asia |page=21 |url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/regional/central-asia/Illicit%20Drug%20Trends_Central%20Asia-final.pdf |access-date=2021-05-26 |archive-date=2021-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426171723/https://www.unodc.org/documents/regional/central-asia/Illicit%20Drug%20Trends_Central%20Asia-final.pdf |url-status=live }}

Natural resources

{{Main|Economy of Turkmenistan#Natural gas}}

Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas, and currently sells most of its gas to China. Turkmenistan unilaterally cut off exports of pipeline natural gas to Iran in 2017 over a payment arrears dispute. Russia ceased buying gas from Turkmenistan in 2016, but resumed small purchases of pipeline gas in 2019. Afghanistan buys liquid petroleum gas, shipped by rail to Ymamnazar and Torghundi for onward delivery by truck. Pakistan provides Turkmenistan warm water as well as Iran and Russia.

Turkmenistan is a partner country of the EU INOGATE energy programme, which has four key topics: enhancing energy security,

convergence of member state energy markets on the basis of EU internal energy market principles,

supporting sustainable energy development, and attracting investment for energy projects of common and regional interest.{{cite web|url=http://www.inogate.org/|title=INOGATE|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-date=18 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118080914/http://www.inogate.org/|url-status=live}}

Organisations

Turkmenistan is a member of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Islamic Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Organization of Turkic Culture.

Turkmenistan maintains permanent representatives to the United Nations offices in New York City, Vienna, and Geneva.

The United Nations maintains a permanent representation staffed by a resident coordinator along with representatives of some UN agencies in Ashgabat. The Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and European Union have missions in Ashgabat, as well.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Turkmenistan maintains diplomatic relations with:

class="wikitable sortable"

! colspan="3" |File:Diplomatic relations of Turkmenistan.svg

#

!Country

!Date{{Cite web |author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan |title=States With Which Turkmenistan Established Diplomatic Relations |url=https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no |date=25 January 2017 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120115142/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no |archive-date=20 January 2025 |access-date=31 March 2025}}

1

|{{Flag|China}}

|{{Dts|6 January 1992}}

2

|{{Flag|North Korea}}

|{{Dts|10 January 1992}}

3

|{{Flag|Denmark}}

|{{Dts|21 January 1992}}

4

|{{Flag|United Kingdom}}

|{{Dts|23 January 1992}}

5

|{{Flag|South Korea}}

|{{Dts|7 February 1992}}

6

|{{Flag|Iran}}

|{{Dts|18 February 1992}}

7

|{{flag|Afghanistan|2013}}

|{{Dts|21 February 1992}}

8

|{{Flag|Saudi Arabia}}

|{{Dts|22 February 1992}}

9

|{{Flag|Bangladesh}}

|{{Dts|28 February 1992}}

10

|{{Flag|Turkey}}

|{{Dts|29 February 1992}}

11

|{{Flag|France}}

|{{Dts|6 March 1992}}

12

|{{Flag|Germany}}

|{{Dts|6 March 1992}}

13

|{{Flag|Spain}}

|{{Dts|19 March 1992}}

14

|{{Flag|Cuba}}

|{{Dts|23 March 1992}}

15

|{{Flag|Syria}}

|{{Dts|26 March 1992}}

16

|{{Flag|Mexico}}

|{{Dts|27 March 1992}}

17

|{{Flag|Russia}}

|{{Dts|8 April 1992}}

18

|{{Flag|Sweden}}

|{{Dts|10 April 1992}}

19

|{{Flag|United States}}

|{{Dts|10 April 1992}}

20

|{{Flag|Canada}}

|{{Dts|17 April 1992}}

—

|{{Flag|State of Palestine}}

|{{Dts|17 April 1992}}

21

|{{Flag|India}}

|{{Dts|20 April 1992}}

22

|{{Flag|Japan}}

|{{Dts|22 April 1992}}

23

|{{Flag|Mongolia}}

|{{Dts|23 April 1992}}

24

|{{Flag|Pakistan}}

|{{Dts|9 May 1992}}

25

|{{Flag|Hungary}}

|{{Dts|11 May 1992}}

26

|{{Flag|South Africa}}

|{{Dts|11 May 1992}}

27

|{{Flag|Australia}}

|{{Dts|14 May 1992}}

28

|{{Flag|Malaysia}}

|{{Dts|17 May 1992}}

29

|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}

|{{Dts|20 May 1992}}

30

|{{Flag|Netherlands}}

|{{Dts|20 May 1992}}

31

|{{Flag|Oman}}

|{{Dts|29 May 1992}}

32

|{{Flag|Norway}}

|{{Dts|8 June 1992}}

33

|{{Flag|Azerbaijan}}

|{{Dts|9 June 1992}}

34

|{{Flag|Italy}}

|{{Dts|9 June 1992}}

35

|{{Flag|Finland}}

|{{Dts|10 June 1992}}

36

|{{Flag|Greece}}

|{{Dts|10 June 1992}}

37

|{{Flag|Thailand}}

|{{Dts|6 July 1992}}

38

|{{Flag|Switzerland}}

|{{Dts|13 July 1992}}

39

|{{Flag|Georgia}}

|{{Dts|16 July 1992}}

40

|{{Flag|Lithuania}}

|{{Dts|21 July 1992}}

41

|{{Flag|Romania}}

|{{Dts|21 July 1992}}

42

|{{Flag|Vietnam}}

|{{Dts|29 July 1992}}

43

|{{Flag|Portugal}}

|{{Dts|13 August 1992}}

44

|{{Flag|New Zealand}}

|{{Dts|8 September 1992}}

45

|{{Flag|Ghana}}

|{{Dts|17 September 1992}}

46

|{{Flag|Argentina}}

|{{Dts|24 September 1992}}

47

|{{Flag|Maldives}}

|{{Dts|25 September 1992}}

48

|{{Flag|Morocco}}

|{{Dts|25 September 1992}}

49

|{{Flag|Poland}}

|{{Dts|29 September 1992}}

50

|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}

|{{Dts|2 October 1992}}

51

|{{Flag|Kazakhstan}}

|{{Dts|5 October 1992}}

52

|{{Flag|Kyrgyzstan}}

|{{Dts|5 October 1992}}

53

|{{Flag|Moldova}}

|{{Dts|5 October 1992}}

54

|{{Flag|Armenia}}

|{{Dts|9 October 1992}}

55

|{{Flag|Ukraine}}

|{{Dts|10 October 1992}}

56

|{{Flag|Austria}}

|{{Dts|16 October 1992}}

57

|{{Flag|Mali}}

|{{Dts|16 November 1992}}

58

|{{Flag|Tunisia}}

|{{Dts|30 November 1992}}

59

|{{Flag|Equatorial Guinea}}

|{{Dts|8 December 1992}}

60

|{{Flag|Libya}}

|{{Dts|8 December 1992}}

61

|{{Flag|Indonesia}}

|{{Dts|10 December 1992}}

62

|{{Flag|Slovakia}}

|{{Dts|1 January 1993}}

63

|{{Flag|Latvia}}

|{{Dts|13 January 1993}}

64

|{{Flag|Belarus}}

|{{Dts|21 January 1993}}

65

|{{Flag|Tajikistan}}

|{{Dts|27 January 1993}}

66

|{{Flag|Czech Republic}}

|{{Dts|31 January 1993}}

67

|{{Flag|Belgium}}

|{{Dts|1 February 1993}}

68

|{{Flag|Egypt}}

|{{Dts|3 February 1993}}

69

|{{Flag|Uzbekistan}}

|{{Dts|7 February 1993}}

70

|{{Flag|Jordan}}

|{{Dts|18 February 1993}}

71

|{{Flag|Malta}}

|{{Dts|25 February 1993}}

72

|{{Flag|Lebanon}}

|{{Dts|6 May 1993}}

73

|{{Flag|Philippines}}

|{{Dts|23 July 1993}}

74

|{{Flag|Israel}}

|{{Dts|8 October 1993}}

75

|{{Flag|Slovenia}}

|{{Dts|11 November 1993}}

76

|{{Flag|Zambia}}

|{{Dts|2 December 1993}}

77

|{{Flag|Laos}}

|{{Dts|4 February 1994}}

78

|{{Flag|Albania}}

|{{Dts|24 March 1994}}

79

|{{Flag|Chile}}

|{{Dts|27 July 1994}}

80

|{{Flag|Estonia}}

|{{Dts|26 August 1994}}

81

|{{Flag|Algeria}}

|{{Dts|21 September 1994}}

82

|{{Flag|Chad}}

|{{Dts|4 October 1994}}

83

|{{Flag|Kuwait}}

|{{Dts|13 January 1995}}

84

|{{Flag|Yemen}}

|{{Dts|27 February 1995}}

85

|{{Flag|Cambodia}}

|{{Dts|6 April 1995}}

86

|{{Flag|United Arab Emirates}}

|{{Dts|10 October 1995}}

87

|{{Flag|Madagascar}}

|{{Dts|1 December 1995}}

88

|{{Flag|Bahrain}}

|{{Dts|15 December 1995}}

89

|{{Flag|Brazil}}

|{{Dts|3 April 1996}}

90

|{{Flag|Sri Lanka}}

|{{Dts|18 April 1996}}

91

|{{Flag|Venezuela}}

|{{Dts|30 April 1996}}

92

|{{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

|{{Dts|17 June 1996}}

93

|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}

|{{Dts|21 June 1996}}

94

|{{Flag|Croatia}}

|{{Dts|2 July 1996}}

95

|{{Flag|Bolivia}}

|{{Dts|9 July 1996}}

—

|{{Flag|Holy See}}

|{{Dts|10 July 1996}}

96

|{{Flag|Jamaica}}

|{{Dts|16 July 1996}}

97

|{{Flag|Uruguay}}

|{{Dts|16 July 1996}}

98

|{{Flag|Guatemala}}

|{{Dts|22 August 1996}}

99

|{{Flag|Serbia}}

|{{Dts|26 August 1996}}

100

|{{Flag|Colombia}}

|{{Dts|27 August 1996}}

101

|{{Flag|Nicaragua}}

|{{Dts|29 August 1996}}

102

|{{Flag|Belize}}

|{{Dts|11 September 1996}}

103

|{{Flag|Singapore}}

|{{Dts|12 September 1996}}

104

|{{Flag|Marshall Islands}}

|{{Dts|8 October 1996}}

105

|{{Flag|Mozambique}}

|{{Dts|22 November 1996}}

106

|{{Flag|Qatar}}

|{{Dts|22 November 1996}}

107

|{{Flag|Iceland}}

|{{Dts|13 February 1997}}

108

|{{Flag|Peru}}

|{{Dts|7 May 1997}}

109

|{{Flag|Ecuador}}

|{{Dts|11 June 1997}}

110

|{{Flag|Guyana}}

|{{Dts|11 June 1997}}

111

|{{Flag|Angola}}

|{{Dts|18 June 1997}}

112

|{{Flag|Mauritius}}

|{{Dts|2 July 1997}}

113

|{{Flag|Haiti}}

|{{Dts|26 September 1997}}{{Cite web |title=Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and ... |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/search?ln=en&as=1&m1=p&p1=Diplomatic+relations+between+Turkmenistan+and+...&f1=series&op1=a&m2=a&p2=&f2=&op2=a&m3=a&p3=&f3=&dt=&d1d=&d1m=&d1y=&d2d=&d2m=&d2y=&rm=&action_search=Search&sf=year&so=a&rg=50&c=United+Nations+Digital+Library+System&of=hb&fti=0&fti=0 |access-date=31 March 2025 |website=United Nations Digital Library}}

114

|{{Flag|Malawi}}

|{{Dts|20 February 1998}}

115

|{{Flag|Brunei}}

|{{Dts|22 February 1999}}

116

|{{Flag|Zimbabwe}}

|{{Dts|22 March 1999}}

117

|{{Flag|El Salvador}}

|{{Dts|20 May 1999}}

118

|{{Flag|Suriname}}

|{{Dts|25 June 1999}}

119

|{{Flag|Uganda}}

|{{Dts|5 August 1999}}

120

|{{Flag|Myanmar}}

|{{Dts|26 August 1999}}

121

|{{Flag|Nepal}}

|{{Dts|17 October 2005}}

122

|{{Flag|Ireland}}

|{{Dts|16 October 2007}}

—

|{{Flag|Sovereign Military Order of Malta}}

|{{Dts|30 October 2007}}

123

|{{Flag|Cyprus}}

|{{Dts|13 November 2007}}

124

|{{Flag|Andorra}}

|{{Dts|17 April 2008}}

125

|{{Flag|Montenegro}}

|{{Dts|26 November 2008}}

126

|{{Flag|Dominican Republic}}

|{{Dts|9 February 2009}}

127

|{{Flag|Iraq}}

|{{Dts|31 July 2009}}

128

|{{Flag|Gambia}}

|{{Dts|9 August 2012}}

129

|{{Flag|South Sudan}}

|{{Dts|17 August 2012}}

130

|{{Flag|Fiji}}

|{{Dts|2 May 2014}}

131

|{{Flag|Senegal}}

|{{Dts|25 September 2014}}

132

|{{Flag|Togo}}

|{{Dts|25 September 2014}}

133

|{{Flag|Panama}}

|{{Dts|24 July 2015}}

134

|{{Flag|Sudan}}

|{{Dts|17 August 2015}}

135

|{{Flag|Monaco}}

|{{Dts|27 August 2015}}

136

|{{Flag|Ethiopia}}

|{{Dts|11 November 2015}}

137

|{{Flag|Burundi}}

|{{Dts|12 December 2015}}

138

|{{Flag|Burkina Faso}}

|{{Dts|12 March 2016}}

139

|{{Flag|Bahamas}}

|{{Dts|7 October 2016}}

140

|{{Flag|Dominica}}

|{{Dts|13 October 2016}}

141

|{{Flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}

|{{Dts|31 May 2017}}

142

|{{Flag|Djibouti}}

|{{Dts|4 July 2017}}

143

|{{Flag|Paraguay}}

|{{Dts|28 July 2017}}

144

|{{Flag|Benin}}

|{{Dts|26 July 2018}}

145

|{{Flag|Somalia}}

|{{Dts|4 November 2019}}

146

|{{Flag|Grenada}}

|{{Dts|13 February 2020}}

147

|{{Flag|Sierra Leone}}

|{{Dts|15 June 2020}}

148

|{{Flag|Republic of the Congo}}

|{{Dts|21 May 2021}}

149

|{{Flag|Niger}}

|{{Dts|22 June 2021}}

150

|{{Flag|Kenya}}

|{{Dts|14 March 2023}}

151

|{{Flag|Trinidad and Tobago}}

|{{Dts|21 June 2023}}

152

|{{Flag|Seychelles}}

|{{dts|13 August 2024}}

153

|{{Flag|Liechtenstein}}

|{{dts|1 November 2024}}

Bilateral relations

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

valign="top"

|{{flag|Afghanistan}}

21 February 1992See Afghanistan–Turkmenistan relations

Afghanistan has an embassy in Ashgabat and a consulate in Mary. Turkmenistan has an embassy in Kabul plus consulates in Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif. The rise of India as an economic giant and its increasing energy needs make Turkmenistan and Central Asia energy markets of choice for that country and also China. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline (TAPI) has been one of the most important regional initiatives to be undertaken by these countries. The agreement to build the pipeline to transport Turkmen gas to Afghanistan and Pakistan and beyond to India was signed in 2010. In addition, Afghanistan depends on Turkmenistan for meeting a large part of the country's electricity needs. At present, Afghanistan imports more than 320 million kilowatt hours of electricity every year from Turkmenistan.

In 2011, Turkmenistan agreed to build a 150-km extension to a railway line to connect the rail line to Serhetabat to Andkhoy in Faryab province, Afghanistan. In February 2018, the existing rail line between Serhetabat and Torghundi in Afghanistan was restored to service.{{cite news|url=https://uae.tmembassy.gov.tm/en/news/10349|title=TRAIN SERVICE OPENS ON NEW TURKMEN-AFGHAN RAILWAY: SERHETABAT–TORGHUNDI|date=February 24, 2018|publisher=Turkmenistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=April 17, 2021|archive-date=March 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325051809/https://uae.tmembassy.gov.tm/en/news/10349|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/afghanistan/railways/torghundi-and-the-railway-from-turkmenistan/|title=Torghundi and the railway from Turkmenistan|publisher=Andrew Grantham|access-date=2021-04-17|archive-date=2021-04-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418165506/http://www.andrewgrantham.co.uk/afghanistan/railways/torghundi-and-the-railway-from-turkmenistan/|url-status=live}} This line is planned to be extended to Herat, where it could potentially connect to a rail line under construction from Khaf, Iran.{{cite news|url=https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/iran-afghanistan-railway-ready-for-traffic/|title=Iran – Afghanistan railway ready for traffic|date=December 9, 2020|first=Oliver|last=Cuenca|publisher=International Railway Journal|access-date=April 17, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417202831/https://www.railjournal.com/infrastructure/iran-afghanistan-railway-ready-for-traffic/|url-status=live}} The line to Andkhoy went into service in January 2021.

In 2013, work began on a link from Kerki via Ymamnazar on the Turkmen-Afghan border to Aqina in Andkhoy District. This link was opened in November 2016.{{cite news|last=Salehai|first=Zarghona|title=Afghan-Turkmenistan railroad inaugurated|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/11/28/afghan-turkmenistan-railroad-inaugurated|date=28 November 2016|publisher=Pajhwok Afghan News|access-date=17 January 2017|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108172142/https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2016/11/28/afghan-turkmenistan-railroad-inaugurated|url-status=live}} It was extended 38 km to Andkhoy in January 2021,{{cite news|url=https://sng.today/ashkhabad/15499-turkmenskij-i-afganskij-lidery-zapustili-zh-d-put-akina-andhoj-i-ljep-kerki-shibergan.html|title=Туркменский и афганский лидеры запустили ж/д путь Акина-Андхой и ЛЭП Керки-Шиберган|date=14 January 2021|publisher=SNG Today|language=Russian|access-date=17 April 2021|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208163559/https://sng.today/ashkhabad/15499-turkmenskij-i-afganskij-lidery-zapustili-zh-d-put-akina-andhoj-i-ljep-kerki-shibergan.html|url-status=live}} and is intended eventually to become part of a railway corridor through northern Afghanistan, linking it via Sherkhan Bandar, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kunduz to Tajikistan.

As of 1 April 2011, there were 44 enterprises with Afghan assets in Turkmenistan.

Though Turkmenistan has not recognized the Taliban's state, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, it has facilitated the Taliban's appointment of diplomats to the Afghan Embassy in Ashgabat. The current chargé d'affaires is Fazal Muhammad Sabir, appointed in March 2022.{{cite web |title=Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov passes the mantle (and phone) |url=https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistan-berdymukhamedov-passes-the-mantle-and-phone |website=Eurasianet |access-date=6 April 2022 |date=22 March 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326223433/https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistan-berdymukhamedov-passes-the-mantle-and-phone |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author1=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan |author1-link=Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Afghanistan) |title=Appointed by IEA MFA, Mr. Mohammad Fazel Saber was introduced in a ceremony as chargé d'affaires to his colleagues at the Afghan Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, yesterday |url=https://mfa.gov.af/en/appointed-by-iea-mfamr-mohammad-fazel-saber-was-introduced-in-a-ceremony-as-charge-daffaires-to-his-colleagues-at-the-afghan-embassy-in-ashgabat-turkmenistan-yesterday/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |date=19 March 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403074249/https://mfa.gov.af/en/appointed-by-iea-mfamr-mohammad-fazel-saber-was-introduced-in-a-ceremony-as-charge-daffaires-to-his-colleagues-at-the-afghan-embassy-in-ashgabat-turkmenistan-yesterday/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=IEA introduces caretaker ambassador to Turkmenistan |url=https://ariananews.af/iea-introduces-caretaker-ambassador-to-turkmenistan/ |access-date=6 April 2022 |work=Ariana News |date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=6 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406222820/https://ariananews.af/iea-introduces-caretaker-ambassador-to-turkmenistan/ |url-status=live }}

valign="top"

|{{flag|Albania}}

24 March 1994Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 24, 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no|title=States with Which Turkmenistan Established Diplomatic Relations|access-date=2019-02-19|archive-date=2019-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508101911/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no|url-status=live}}
valign="top"

|{{flag|Armenia}}

9 October 1992See Armenia–Turkmenistan relations

valign="top"

|{{flag|Austria}}

16 October 1992See Austria–Turkmenistan relations

Turkmenistan has an embassy in Vienna, which doubles as the permanent mission to United Nations agencies in Vienna.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Azerbaijan}}

9 June 1992See Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan relations

The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals. Despite close linguistic affinities (Turkmen and Azerbaijani are about 65 percent mutually intelligible), Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan suffer from a strained relationship, in part because Turkmenistan is majority Sunni and Azerbaijan is majority Shi'a. Nonetheless the two countries have begun to cooperate more in commercial spheres, most notably with signing of a memorandum in 2020 on joint exploitation of the cross-boundary Serdar oil field in the Caspian.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Belarus}}

21 January 1993See Belarus–Turkmenistan relations

  • Formal relations were established in 1993
  • Belarus has an embassy in Ashgabat.
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Minsk.

Roughly 12,000 to 13,000 Turkmen university students are matriculated annually in Belarusian institutions of higher education.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Belize}}

11 September 1996The countries established diplomatic relations on 11 September 1996.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Bulgaria}}

* Bulgaria is accredited to Turkmenistan from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.

  • Turkmenistan is accredited to Bulgaria from its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Cambodia}}

6 April 1995Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 April 1995.
valign="top"

|{{flag|China}}

6 January 1992See China-Turkmenistan relations

The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals. The relationship is dominated by China's position as the largest importer by far of natural gas from Turkmenistan, making China Turkmenistan's largest source of foreign exchange earnings. China offers free higher education to several hundred Turkmen students each year.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Croatia}}

2 July 1996See Croatia–Turkmenistan relations

  • Croatia is represented in Turkmenistan through its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
  • Turkmenistan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Bucharest, Romania.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Djibouti}}

4 July 2017The countries established diplomatic relations on July 4, 2017.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Dominica}}

13 October 2016Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 13, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news-en/4837-turkmenistan-established-diplomatic-relations-with-the-commonwealth-of-dominica |title=Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica |access-date=2016-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112183709/http://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news-en/4837-turkmenistan-established-diplomatic-relations-with-the-commonwealth-of-dominica |archive-date=2016-11-12 }}
valign="top"

|{{flag|France}}

6 March 1992See France–Turkmenistan relations

Diplomatic relations were established with the March 6, 1992 signing of the Protocol. The French construction company Bouygues, the second-largest in Turkmenistan, has signed many construction contracts. The French company Thales Alenia Space constructed the first space satellite TürkmenÄlem 52°E / MonacoSAT.

  • France has an embassy in Ashgabat.
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Paris.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Georgia|1992}}

8 July 1992Georgia has an embassy in Ashgabat, and Turkmenistan has an embassy in Tbilisi.{{cite web| url = http://turkmenistan.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=418&lang=2&NewsID=116854| title = Relations between Georgia and Turkmenistan| access-date = 2021-04-17| archive-date = 2021-04-17| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210417211248/http://turkmenistan.mfa.gov.ge/default.aspx?sec_id=418&lang=2&NewsID=116854| url-status = live}}
valign="top"

|{{flag|Germany}}

6 March 1992The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals. Turkmenistan have a consulate in Frankfurt am Main. Two German banks, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, have offices in Ashgabat, since much of Turkmenistan's foreign exchange accounts are held in those two German banks. Such German firms as Siemens and Claas have made significant sales of medical and agricultural equipment, respectively, to Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan Air offers scheduled service to Frankfurt am Main.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Guyana}}

11 June 1997Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 11, 1997.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Holy See}}

10 July 1996The Vatican maintains a nunciature in Ashgabat, although the nuncio is resident in Ankara. The Turkmen ambassador in Rome is multiple-accredited, including to the Holy See.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Iceland}}

13 February 1997Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 13, 1997.
valign="top"

|{{flag|India}}

20 April 1992See India-Turkmenistan relations

India and Turkmenistan have embassies in each other's capitals. Turkmenistan Airlines used to operate flights between Ashgabat and both New Delhi and Amritsar, which connect in Ashgabat to flights to London and Birmingham. India is a destination for medical tourism by middle-class Turkmen. To some degree the relationship is framed by Turkmenistan's desire to export natural gas to India via the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Iran}}

18 February 1992See Iran–Turkmenistan relations

Iran and Turkmenistan have had relations since Turkmenistan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Iran has an embassy in Ashgabat and a consulate in Mary. Turkmenistan has an embassy in Teheran and a consulate in Mashhad.{{cite web| url = https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/63?breadcrumbs=no| title = DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULAR OFFICES OF TURKMENISTAN ABROAD| access-date = 2021-04-17| archive-date = 2021-04-14| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210414082624/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/63?breadcrumbs=no| url-status = live}} Iran was the second nation to recognize Turkmenistan as an independent nation.{{cite web| url = https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/64?breadcrumbs=no| title = DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIONS OF FOREIGN STATES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ACCREDITED IN TURKMENISTAN| access-date = 2021-04-17| archive-date = 2021-05-07| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210507135207/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/64?breadcrumbs=no| url-status = live}} Since then, the two countries have cooperated in the economic, infrastructure, and energy sectors. The $139 million Korpeje-Kurt Kui gas pipeline in western Turkmenistan and the $167 million Dostluk ("friendship" in Turkmen) Dam in the south of the country were built through a joint venture. The Caspian Sea territorial boundaries are a cause of tension between the two. Iran's Islamic theocracy and Turkmenistan's secular dictatorship also prevent the development of a closer friendship.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Israel}}

8 October 1993Israel has an embassy in Ashgabat.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Italy}}

9 June 1992Italy and Turkmenistan have embassies in each other's capitals. The Turkmen ambassador in Rome is also accredited to the United Nations agencies there, and to the Holy See. The relationship is dominated by the presence of Italian petroleum firm Eni, which operates oil wells in the Caspian Sea under a production sharing agreement.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Japan}}

22 April 1992Diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkmenistan were established in April 1992. Japan opened an embassy at Ashgabat in January 2005, and Turkmenistan opened an embassy in Tokyo in May 2013.{{cite web| url = http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/turkmenistan/data.html| title = Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan| access-date = 2016-07-29| archive-date = 2015-11-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151103013635/http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/turkmenistan/data.html| url-status = live}} Japan is heavily involved in operation of the Oguz Han Engineering Technology University in Ashgabat. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation has financed several major industrial projects in Turkmenistan, including plants constructed with participation of Kawasaki and Sumitomo.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Kazakhstan}}

5 October 1992See Kazakhstan–Turkmenistan relations

  • Kazakhstan has an embassy in Ashgabat and a consulate in Turkmenbashy.
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Astana and a consulate in Aktau.
  • During a meeting in October 2023, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan released a statement affirming their strategic partnership and cooperation. Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu and Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov issued the statement during a meeting in Ashgabat on 30 October 2023. {{Citation | vauthors=((Ualikhanova, A.)) | date=31 October 2023 | title=Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Affirm Commitment to Strengthen Strategic Partnership | website=Astana Times | url=https://astanatimes.com/2023/10/kazakhstan-turkmenistan-affirm-commitment-to-strengthen-strategic-partnership/ | access-date=3 May 2024}}
valign="top"

|{{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}

5 October 1992See Kyrgyzstan–Turkmenistan relations

The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Libya|1992}}

8 December 1992Libya maintains an economic and commercial office rather than an embassy in Ashgabat.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Malaysia}}

17 May 1992See Malaysia-Turkmenistan relations

Turkmen-Malaysian relations mainly revolve around the work of the Malaysian state petroleum corporation, Petronas, which extracts petroleum condensate in the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan Airlines offers scheduled service between Ashgabat and Kuala Lumpur.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Mexico}}

27 March 1992* Mexico is accredited to Turkmenistan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

  • Turkmenistan is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Netherlands}}

* Netherlands is represented in Turkmenistan through its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.

  • Turkmenistan is represented in Netherlands through its embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
valign="top"

|{{flag|North Macedonia}}

21 June 1996The countries established diplomatic relations on June 21, 1996.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Pakistan}}

10 May 1992See Pakistan–Turkmenistan relations

  • Formal relations were established on May 10, 1992. The countries have embassies in each other's capitals.
  • To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence in 2001 Pakistan issued stamps bearing the flag of Turkmenistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.pakpost.gov.pk/philately/stamps2001/anniversary_of_turkmenistan.html|title=10th Anniversary of Independence of Turkmenistan|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-date=16 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116180049/http://www.pakpost.gov.pk/philately/stamps2001/anniversary_of_turkmenistan.html|url-status=live}}
{{flag|Palestine}}17 April 1992* Palestine has an embassy in Ashgabat.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Poland}}

29 September 1992See Poland–Turkmenistan relations

  • Poland is represented in Turkmenistan through its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • Turkmenistan is represented in Poland through its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Qatar}}

22 November 1996Qatar has an embassy in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan has no permanent diplomatic representation in Doha
valign="top"

|{{flag|Romania}}

21 July 1992The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals. Romania's primary interest is development of the Lapis Lazuli corridor, which would use Romanian seaports on the Black Sea.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Russia|1992}}

8 April 1992See Russia–Turkmenistan relations

  • Russia has an embassy in Ashgabat and a consular office in Türkmenbaşy.[http://www.turkmenistan.mid.ru/ Russian Embassy in Turkmenistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624132510/http://www.turkmenistan.mid.ru/ |date=2009-06-24 }} {{in lang|ru}}
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Moscow and consulates in Astrakhan and Kazan.[http://www.turkmenembassy.ru/ Turkmenistan Embassy in Russia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330211859/http://www.turkmenembassy.ru/ |date=2015-03-30 }} {{in lang|ru}}
valign="top"

|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}

22 February 1992{{cite web| url = https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no| title = STATES WITH WHICH TURKMENISTAN ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS| access-date = 2019-02-19| archive-date = 2019-05-08| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190508101911/https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/articles/55?breadcrumbs=no| url-status = live}}Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Ashgabat, and Turkmenistan has an embassy in Riyadh.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Slovakia}}

* Slovakia is accredited to Turkmenistan from its embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

  • Turkmenistan is accredited to Slovakia from its embassy in Vienna, Austria.
valign="top"

|{{flag|South Korea}}

7 February 1992See South Korea–Turkmenistan relations

Diplomatic relations were established on February 7, 1992. The countries have embassies in each other's capitals. South Korean firms such as Hyundai and LG have won major contracts for building industrial plants.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Spain}}

19 March 1992* Spain is accredited to Turkmenistan from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.

  • Turkmenistan is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Suriname}}

25 June 1999The countries established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1999.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Sweden}}

10 April 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 10, 1992.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Switzerland}}

13 July 1992Turkmenistan maintains a diplomatic mission in Geneva, which doubles as its embassy to Switzerland and is permanent representative to United Nations agencies in Geneva as well as to the World Trade Organization. The Swiss ambassador in Baku is accredited to Turkmenistan.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Tajikistan}}

27 January 1993The two countries have embassies in each other's capitals.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Turkey}}

29 February 1992{{Cite web| url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-turkmenistan.en.mfa| title=Relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan| publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs| access-date=6 October 2020| archive-date=3 September 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903164650/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-turkmenistan.en.mfa| url-status=live}}See Turkey–Turkmenistan relations

  • Turkey was the first state to recognize Turkmenistan on October 27, 1991.
  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate in Istanbul
  • Turkey has an embassy in Ashgabat.
  • Both countries are members of Economic Cooperation Organization, International Organization of Turkic Culture and OIC.
  • Trade volume between the two countries was 1.35 billion USD in 2019 (Turkmen exports/imports: 601/745 million USD.{{Cite web| url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/economic-relations-between-turkey-and-turkmenistan.en.mfa| title=Economic Relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan| publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs| access-date=6 October 2020| archive-date=9 August 2016| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809115540/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/economic-relations-between-turkey-and-turkmenistan.en.mfa| url-status=live}} Turkish firms Çalık Holding, Polimeks, Rönesans, GAP Inşaat and Tepe Inşaat have garnered billions of dollars of construction contracts since 1992.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Ukraine}}

10 October 1992Ukraine and Turkmenistan have embassies in each other's capitals. Ukrainian companies have been involved in major construction projects, including the rail and automobile bridges across the Amu Darya at Türkmenabat.
valign="top"

|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}

10 October 1995The countries have embassies in each other's capitals. In addition, Turkmenistan has a consulate in Dubai. The Emirates are a major entrepot for imports of foodstuffs and consumer items into Turkmenistan. In addition, one of three oil-drilling concessions in the Caspian Sea is held by Dragon Oil, which is wholly owned by the Emirates National Oil Company. The international office of Turkmenistan's TAPI Pipeline Company is in Dubai.
valign="top"

|{{flag|United Kingdom}}

23 January 1992See Foreign relations of the United Kingdom

The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 23 January 1992.

  • Turkmenistan maintains an embassy in London.
  • The UK is accredited to Turkmenistan through its embassy in Ashgabat.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-ashgabat|title=British Embassy Ashgabat|work=GOV.UK|access-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807050433/https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-ashgabat|archive-date=7 August 2024|url-status=live}}

Both countries share common membership of the OSCE. Bilaterally the two countries have a Development Partnership,{{cite web|author-link=Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office |author=((Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office)) |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/country-and-regional-development-partnership-summaries|title=Country and regional development partnership summaries|website=GOV.UK|date=17 July 2023 |access-date=27 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526234739/https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/country-and-regional-development-partnership-summaries|archive-date=26 May 2024|url-status=live}} and an Investment Agreement.{{Cite web |url=https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/3048/turkmenistan---united-kingdom-bit-1995-|title=Turkmenistan - United Kingdom BIT (1995)|website=UN Trade and Development|access-date=7 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203231713/https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/international-investment-agreements/treaties/bilateral-investment-treaties/3048/turkmenistan---united-kingdom-bit-1995-|archive-date=3 December 2022|url-status=live}}

valign="top"

|{{flag|United States}}

10 April 1992See Turkmenistan–United States relations

The United States and Turkmenistan continue to disagree about the latter country's path toward democratic and economic reform. The United States has publicly advocated industrial and agricultural privatization, market liberalization, and fiscal reform, as well as legal and regulatory reforms to open up the economy to foreign trade and investment, as the best way to achieve prosperity and true independence and sovereignty.

valign="top"

|{{flag|Uzbekistan}}

7 February 1993See Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan relations

  • Turkmenistan has an embassy in Tashkent.
  • Uzbekistan has an embassy in Ashgabat.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Venezuela|1996}}

30 April 1996* Venezuela briefly opened an embassy in Ashgabat following a state visit by Hugo Chávez, but the staff returned to Teheran after six months. A chancery is located in Ashgabat, but the bilateral relationship is managed by the Venezuelan embassy in Iran.
valign="top"

|{{flag|Zimbabwe}}

22 March 1999Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 22, 1999.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070222133015/http://www.jamestown.org/edm/article.php?article_id=2371919 "Potential gas customers line up to welcome new Turkmen leader", Eurasia Daily Monitor]
  • [http://www.turkmenistan.ru/?page_id=6&lang_id=en&elem_id=7185&type=event&sort=date_desc China's ambassador to Turkmenistan, Lu Guisheng, comments on bilateral cooperation]
  • [http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/World-Leaders-2003/Turkmenistan-FOREIGN-POLICY.html Turkmenistan Foreign Policy] in Nations Encyclopedia

{{Foreign relations of Turkmenistan}}

{{Asia in topic|Foreign relations of}}

{{International organization membership in Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foreign Relations Of Turkmenistan}}

Turkmenistan