On 14 July, a formal reception was held at the Ýyldyz Hotel in the capital to mark the National Day of the French Republic—Bastille Day. The event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, the business community, and Turkmenistan’s cultural sector. Nazar Agakhanov, Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, was the guest of honor representing the Government of the country.
Welcoming the guests, Philippe Merlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France, emphasized that leading French companies are developing dynamic cooperation with their Turkmen partners within the framework of projects that had previously been presented to the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during his official visit to Paris in 2025 and his talks with President Emmanuel Macron.
The joint initiatives cover strategically important areas for Turkmenistan, including telecommunications, national security, urban development, energy, water conservation, and the use of satellite data to monitor crops and support land management. As an example of expanding cooperation, the forthcoming opening of a service facility of the French transport company CMA CGM at Ashgabat International Airport was highlighted. The facility will support regular cargo flights along the Europe–Asia corridor.
The humanitarian sphere holds an important place in bilateral relations, particularly close contacts with the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. With the support of the French Institute, approximately 20,000 Turkmen schoolchildren and students are successfully studying the French language, while ties between universities in the two countries continue to strengthen. The signing of partnership agreements between Le Havre Normandie University and several leading higher education institutions of Turkmenistan is expected in the near future.
Scientific cooperation is also developing successfully, including archaeological research conducted by the joint MAFTUR expedition at the Ulug - Depe archaeological site and speleological projects of the KRAC association in Koytendag.
In his response, Nazar Agakhanov, head of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations of Turkmenistan, conveyed sincere congratulations to the French partners on behalf of the Government and highly praised the long-standing contribution of French business circles to the diversification and modernization of key sectors of the national economy.
Particular attention was drawn to the important role of the construction company Bouygues in shaping the modern architectural appearance of white-marble Ashgabat. The design of Turkmenistan’s first space satellite was also highlighted as an exemplary example of high-tech interstate cooperation.
The minister outlined promising areas for further expanding bilateral ties, including the modernization of air traffic control systems, improvement of the land cadastre, the introduction of advanced water-saving technologies, and the greening of the oil and gas sector.
The Turkmen side placed particular emphasis on the joint development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor within the framework of the European Global Gateway strategy. This cooperation will enable the effective use of Turkmenistan’s advantageous geographical position as a key transport and logistics hub connecting Asia and Europe.
The official part of the evening was followed by a friendly reception, during which guests had the opportunity to explore French culinary traditions, enjoy a musical program, and engage in informal conversations with French speakers.
