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Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan Sign 20 Agreements to Boost Strategic Partnership

By Aygerim Sarymbetova October 11, 2024

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During a meeting in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, on October 10, delegations from both nations signed 20 agreements at various levels, including intergovernmental, interdepartmental, and interregional. / akorda.kz.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow have adopted a declaration to strengthen friendship and deepen the multifaceted strategic partnership between their countries.

During a meeting in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, on October 10, delegations from both nations signed 20 agreements at various levels, including intergovernmental, interdepartmental, and interregional. According to the official website of the Kazakh president, these agreements mark significant steps in advancing cooperation.

Among the documents signed is a comprehensive program for strengthening friendship and deepening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan from 2025 to 2027. The agreements also cover the promotion and mutual protection of investments, strategic cooperation in transport, logistics, and transit, as well as amendments to a 1997 agreement on international automobile transport of passengers and cargo.

Further cooperation agreements were reached in areas such as combating crime, agriculture, tourism, archival affairs, international postal delivery, and oilfield services in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea. The two nations also approved a plan for trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation through 2025.

In addition, seven memoranda of understanding were signed between various departments, including finance, transport, sports, digital technology, aviation, media, and international relations. A notable memorandum of cooperation in maritime transport was also part of the package.

Kazakhstan’s National Company QazaqGaz and Turkmenistan’s State Concern Turkmengaz signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in developing the gas industry. This agreement, part of the broader package, includes plans to enhance the resource base, conduct exploration, and involve QazaqGaz in Turkmen gas fields, such as the Galkynysh field.

Sanjar Zharkeshov, Chairman of the Board of QazaqGaz, emphasized that the agreement also covers key pipeline projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, as well as the import of commercial gas from Turkmenistan to Kazakhstan.

At a joint press briefing following their talks, President Tokayev highlighted Kazakhstan’s commitment to participating in gas condensate field projects in Turkmenistan and in expanding pipeline infrastructure. He also noted that trade turnover between the two countries has risen by 28%, exceeding $500 million, and expressed optimism about increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion in the near future.

Tokayev’s official visit to Ashgabat coincides with his participation in the forum “The Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development,” scheduled for October 11. The forum will serve as a platform for international dialogue, where global political, economic, and humanitarian issues will be discussed, alongside ideas for advancing international relations.

Turkmen President Berdimuhamedow, in his remarks during extended talks with Tokayev, said “the common asset already includes an implemented major energy project — the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China gas pipeline. Turkmenistan is ready to consider together with Kazakh partners opportunities for a noticeable increase in energy supplies and expansion of their transit configuration.”

As one of the world’s largest producers of natural gas, Turkmenistan’s economy relies heavily on gas exports. The country holds approximately 10% of the world’s gas reserves, making it the fourth-largest globally. Nearly three-quarters of Turkmenistan’s exports are from the gas sector, with increased exports to China and Russia driving much of its recent economic growth.

In September, Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership and Turkmen officials resumed construction of the Afghanistan segment of the TAPI pipeline, which had been stalled since 2018. Once completed, the 1,800-km pipeline will transport approximately 33 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to Pakistan and India, passing through Afghan provinces.

In addition to its gas sector, Turkmenistan is actively pursuing economic diversification through large-scale infrastructure projects, including the development of roads, railways, and airports. In late September, President Berdimuhamedow announced plans to invest $11 billion in infrastructure and modernization efforts, further supporting the nation’s economic growth and global connectivity.