Ashgabat: An event titled ‘Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan: Brotherhood and Strategic Partnership’ was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan, the event commemorated the 103rd anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, as reported by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan to APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, a photo exhibition in the foyer of the Institute showcased the foreign policy of Heydar Aliyev, emphasizing Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations. A video presentation followed, highlighting Heydar Aliyev’s life and a visit by Turkmen National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Gismat Gozalov, delivered a lecture on ‘Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan: Brotherhood and Strategic Partnership.’ He focused on Heydar Aliyev’s foreign policy and the historical foundations of Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations. He emphasized the strategic importance of relations with regional countries and highlighted the mutual respect and partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.
Gozalov noted that Heydar Aliyev viewed the Caspian region as a space of cooperation and that Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations were built on trust. He discussed the 2017 ‘Declaration on Strategic Partnership,’ which fortified the political and legal ties between the two nations, and emphasized the role of high-level dialogues in advancing their relations, particularly under President Ilham Aliyev and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The Ambassador also highlighted significant diplomatic visits in 2025, including President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Turkmenistan and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visits to Azerbaijan. These visits and the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Gabala contributed to bolstering bilateral cooperation.
Gozalov further discussed the expanding cooperation in economic, energy, transport, humanitarian, and cultural fields, with a focus on the strategic importance of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor and energy projects. He emphasized the dynamic development in science, education, and culture, citing mutual cultural events, inter-university cooperation, and a special scholarship program for Turkmen citizens in Azerbaijan.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session, attended by Vice-Rector Gaygysyz Dovletov, professors, students, media representatives, and other guests. A Turkmen-language translation of ‘Epic of Eternity,’ a book of poems by Zalimkhan Yagub dedicated to Heydar Aliyev, was presented to students.