Turkmenistan declared its independence from the former Soviet Union on 27 October 1991. Its first President was Saparmurat Niyazov, also known as “Turkmenbashi” (“Father of the Turkmens”). Following his death in 2006, he was succeeded by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who holds the title “Arkadag”. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, known as “Arkadagly Serdar”, has served as President of Turkmenistan since March 2022.
Italy and Turkmenistan established diplomatic relations under a protocol signed in Moscow on 9 June 1992. On 2 December 2013, Italy became one of the first five European countries to open an embassy in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan opened its embassy in Italy in early 2017; Ambassador Toyly Komekov has headed the mission since January 2020.
Italy and Turkmenistan hold convergent views on a number of foreign policy matters discussed in international forums, including within the United Nations system. Italy attaches particular importance to Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality, recognised through resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly. For its part, Turkmenistan values Italy’s commitment to dialogue and the peaceful, diplomatic settlement of disputes. The two countries also support each other’s candidacies for international bodies.
Relations between Italy and Turkmenistan extend beyond bilateral cooperation to engagement through international organisations operating in Turkmenistan, including UNDP, the OSCE, UNICEF and the EBRD. These organisations support Turkmenistan’s institutional and economic development, including its transition towards a market economy.