CENTRAL COMMISSION FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS AND REFERENDUMS IN TURKMENISTAN

On December 22, 2025, our esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to the friendly country Russian Federation. Our esteemed President participated in the unofficial high-level summit of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Saint Petersburg.

Informal Commonwealth of Independent States summits have become an important platform for the Heads of state to engage in trusting dialogue. Unlike official meetings, such meetings are not limited to a specific agenda and create favorable conditions for discussing important issues in the field of regional stability, economy and cultural cooperation. This summit format demonstrates, that the Commonwealth of Independent States countries – are united not only by historical and geographical similarities, but also by a common goal – maintaining stability in the Eurasian region.

Having legal status as a permanent Neutral Turkmenistan, as an associate member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, occupies an important position as a reliable partner and peacekeeping center within the Commonwealth. Our country pays special attention to the economic and logistical spheres and advocates for deeper cooperation within the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our country also actively participates in resolving the Aral Sea problem, promotes “green” diplomacy and initiatives related to adaptation to climate change. The fact that cities in Turkmenistan have been repeatedly declared the “Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth” demonstrates that Turkmenistan strengthens friendship between peoples through mutual respect and preservation of common historical heritage and open to intercultural dialogue.

Our esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was warmly welcomed by officials at the “Saint Petersburg” International Airport of the Russian Federation.

During his working visit to the Russian Federation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov visited the State Hermitage Museum – venue for an informal high-level meeting of the CIS Heads of State. Here, our esteemed President was warmly welcomed by Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin.

The Presidents of the Russian Federation, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, as well as the Prime Minister of Armenia got acquainted with the exposition of the Hermitage – is one of the largest museums in the world.

First of all, the heads of State visited the “Golden treasury” hall located on the first floor of the museum. It displays gold jewelry crafted by jewelers of the ancient period. Among them are two-thousand-year-old gold pieces, striking in their filigree, belonging to the ancient Scythian people. In the Central Asia hall located on the second floor, offers an insight into the history of the Great Silk Road. The exhibition offers insight into the intercultural relations that developed over centuries. The Turkmen land, through which this ancient trade route passed, served as a center uniting East and West. Trade caravans passed through our country to the Middle East and Europe. Cities such as Merv, Koneurgench and Nisa located along this route, were significant scientific and cultural centers.

Then, the leaders of the friendly countries visited the halls presenting the art of Great Britain and France. The works of outstanding artists and sculptors of the West are presented here.

Then, the Heads of State went to the Leonardo da Vinci Hall. It houses over 20 works by the great master of the European Revival. These works of art are distinguished by their artistic mastery and profound meaning.

At the end of the museum tour, an informal high-level meeting of the CIS Heads of State took place. Opening the meeting, President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin once again warmly welcomed the participants and thanked everyone for accepting the invitation to come to Saint Petersburg to participate in the informal summit.

During the summit, results of the work carried out within the Commonwealth this year were summarized, priority areas of cooperation and future objectives were identified. The positive indicators of economic cooperation were noted with satisfaction. Important issues on the regional and global agendas were also discussed. President Vladimir Putin congratulated our Head of State on Turkmenistan’s chairmanship in the CIS in 2026 and wished him success.

It was emphasized that the Commonwealth countries – are committed to equal and mutually beneficial cooperation based on goodwill, mutual respect and trust. Taking this opportunity, the President of the Russian Federation expressed heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all citizens of the CIS member states on the occasion of the upcoming New Year.

Thus, the participation of our esteemed President in the informal high-level meeting of the Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States was yet another vivid expression of our country’s commitment to open and mutually respectful dialogue. For Turkmenistan, as an associate member of the CIS, this platform – is an important tool for promoting peacekeeping initiatives in the region.