28 January 2026 - Gürsel Baran, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO), stated that they aim to double the trade volume with Turkmenistan in the short term to reach 5 billion dollars, adding: "There is no longer anything to wait for in order to further strengthen the economic ties between our countries, diversify trade, and increase contacts between our private sectors."

ATO Chairman Gürsel Baran hosted Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Ankara, Mekan Ishanguliyev, at his office. The meeting was attended by ATO Secretary General Ahmet Güran, Deputy Secretary General Abdurrahman Karabudak, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the EkoAvrasya Foundation Hikmet Eren. Discussions focused on enhancing economic and commercial cooperation between Türkiye and Turkmenistan.

Baran emphasized that relations between Türkiye and Turkmenistan go beyond diplomatic ties, stating that the two countries share a strong brotherly relationship based on common history, language, and culture. He recalled that Türkiye supports Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality status and noted that Turkmenistan's independence has provided new opportunities for peace, stability, and development for the Turkic world and the region.

Highlighting Turkmenistan's strategic position in Central Asia, Baran underlined that the region has become one of the key centers of global trade, energy, logistics, and production, while Türkiye, with its gateway position to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is the natural complement to this vast geography. Noting the increasing momentum in bilateral trade relations, Baran said:

"In 2024, our total trade volume reached approximately 2.2 billion dollars, of which around 1.1 billion dollars consisted of our exports. We aim to double this figure to 5 billion dollars in the short term."

Baran stated that cooperation with Turkmenistan an important investment partner for Türkiye has strengthened particularly in the energy, construction, agriculture, and textile sectors. He said:

"In Turkmenistan, which ranks among the countries where the Turkish private sector has undertaken the highest number of projects worldwide, Turkish contracting companies have successfully completed more than one thousand projects worth nearly 50 billion dollars to date. Cooperation in the energy sector between our countries, especially considering Turkmenistan's significant gas and oil reserves, is also ongoing."

Baran added that steps to be taken under the current circumstances would contribute not only to the two countries but also to regional and global economic stability.

Expressing satisfaction that Ankara has been selected as the Tourism Capital of the Turkic World for 2026, Baran said they look forward to hosting Turkmenistan and all Turkic States in Ankara this year. He also stated that, as the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, they are ready to work in coordination with the public and private sectors to increase members' trade with Turkmenistan, improve the investment environment, and pave the way for joint projects.

"WE AIM TO DELIVER TURKMEN NATURAL GAS TO EUROPE VIA TÜRKİYE"

Turkmenistan's Ambassador to Ankara, Mekan Ishanguliyev, announced that Türkiye has begun purchasing natural gas from Turkmenistan via swap arrangements following an agreement signed between BOTAŞ and Türkmengaz. He noted that Turkmenistan possesses vast natural gas reserves capable of meeting not only its own needs but also those of neighboring countries for the next 200 years.

Ambassador Ishanguliyev stated:

"We aim to diversify our energy export markets. Türkiye, with its geographical location and existing infrastructure, is a key energy corridor in this process. Delivering Turkmen natural gas to Türkiye via the Caspian Sea and onward to Europe through Türkiye is of great importance for bilateral relations and for Europe's energy security."

He added that with the realization of the pipeline, it is targeted to transport 40–50 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to the Turkish and European markets.

Ishanguliyev emphasized that transporting Turkmen gas to Europe via Türkiye would contribute significantly to Europe's energy security and that strong cooperation in the energy field would further advance economic and commercial relations between the two countries. He expressed confidence that trade volume between Türkiye and Turkmenistan would increase rapidly alongside the implementation of energy projects.

During the meeting, Ambassador Ishanguliyev also touched upon the ongoing urban redevelopment works in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital; urban planning projects; industrial zones; projects undertaken by Turkish contracting firms in Turkmenistan; the country's demographic structure; Turkmen citizens living abroad; and the historical and cultural ties between the two nations.