Turkmenistan International Relations

US Committed to Strengthening Ties with Turkmenistan
“The governments of the United States and Turkmenistan have both shown a strong commitment to enhancing our bilateral partnership. The United States greatly appreciates Turkmenistan’s cooperation and work to promote stability, integration, and prosperity in the region. We are working to broaden economic and commercial ties, build democratic institutions and ensure the protection of human rights”, said Secretary Clinton in her message to President Berdymukhamedov dedicated to the 21st Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence.
Source: uspolicy.be

«Amnesty International» Issued Statement in Support of Former Turkmen Minister
The human rights watchdog organization Amnesty International issued a statement on the arrest of Turkmenistan’s former Minister for Culture and Sports, Geldymurad Nurmukhamedov, and his forced institutionalization in a drug rehabilitation clinic. The statement said that the authorities are persecuting the ex-minister for his political activities and criticism of the current regime for their violation of human rights and lack of democracy in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in December 2011.
Source: Amnesty International  

Turkmenistan Foreign Ministry Issued Statement Regarding Arrest of Kazakhstan Citizens
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the arrest of the Kazakh citizens, claiming that on October 19, 2012, the border guard unit of the Garabogaz border post detained seven citizens from Kazakhstan, including Kazakh police and immigration officers, for illegally crossing the state border and entering 3 km into the territory of Turkmenistan. According to the statement, the detainees were armed.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

President of Turkmenistan holds talks with representatives of Russian Federation Council and Russian businessmen
President Berdymukhamedov received Deputy Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee of the Russian Federal Assembly Federation Council, Vadim Tyulpanov; member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Russian Federal Assembly Federation Council, Artur Chilingarov; and members of the Russian Federal Assembly Federation Council, Konstantin Dobrynin and Igor Koshin. Berdymukhamedov also received Chairman of the Union of Oil and Gas Producers of Russia, Chairman of the Interstate Oil Company Soyuzneftegaz Yuri Shafranik and First Deputy Chairman of Soyuzneftegaz”Giss Guchetl; CEO of KAMAZ Sergei Kogonin and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KAMAZ Sergey Tkachenko, and Director of KAMAZ FTC Corp. Arthur Murashkin; Head of Itera Corp. Igor Makarov; and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Renaissance Corp. Igor Bukato. The guests congratulated the Turkmen leader with the 21 Anniversary of Independence and the sacred holiday of Kurban Bayram and discussed cooperation.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru, Turkmenistan.ru  

Ashgabat CIS summit postponed to later date
The press service of the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk circulated a message announcing that the meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council has been postponed, without indicating the reason for the postponement. The summit was scheduled for early November in Ashgabat and its participants planned to discuss 20 documents aimed at strengthening regional economic, humanitarian, and security cooperation. The rescheduled date for the meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State will be announced after consultations with Presidents of CIS countries.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

Swiss delegation holds talks at Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan
A delegation headed by non-resident Swiss Ambassador to Turkmenistan Sabine Ullmann Shaban held talks at the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the development of Turkmen-Swiss cooperation in the implementation of agreements made during Berdymukhamedov’s official visit to Switzerland earlier in October. There is particular interest in using Swiss expertise to develop the Avaza resort on the Caspian coast.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

Ashgabat Quietly Blocking Medical Pilgrims to Iran
Turkmen border guards reportedly are blocking many Turkmens from entering Iran, including students, religious pilgrims, and others. They have also started prohibiting people from entering Iran for medical treatment.
Source: eurasianet.org 

Minimum Wages in Turkmenistan Highest in Central Asia
Among post-Soviet Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan has the highest minimum monthly salary in the amount of 184,2 USD (42nd place among 52 countries), according to Vedomosti, citing Russia’s Financial and Accountancy Consultants company. Kazakhstan came in second among Central Asian countries with a minimum wage of 127US, placing 47, Uzbekistan placing 49 and Tajikistan at 51st with a minimum wage of 43.2 USD. Kyrgyzstan placed lowest among Central Asian countries at 51st place with the a 24USD monthly wage.
Source: fergananews.com 

Russian Scientist Victor Sarianidi Wins Turkmen President’s Contest “Golden Age of Turkmens”
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov decreed Doctor of Historical Sciences and Adviser at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Victor Sarianidi, winner of the Turkmen President’s “Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry Contest(Golden Age of Turkmens), awarding him with a cash prize of US $ 10,000.
Sarianidi was awarded for his “contribution to the in-depth research, revival and popularization of the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people,” the Turkmen president announced.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru 

UAE Ambassador Received Turkmen Award
Berdymukhamedov awarded the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Khassan Abdulla Al Adab, with the Watana Bolan Söýgüsi Uçin medal (For Love to the Fatherland) for his efforts developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Turkmenistan.gov.tm 

Book about President of Turkmenistan Translated into Japanese
Yoshiaki Sasaki, a professor of international relations at the Tokyo Foundation, presented President Berdymukhamedov with a Japanese version of the book "Grandson Realizing Grandfather's Dream” published in Japan. The book is authored by the Turkmen writer and journalist, Tachmamed Jurdekov
Source: Turkmenistan.ru