Visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the Principality of Monaco

On January 20, 2025, during a visit to the Principality of Monaco, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The official welcoming ceremony of the National Leader of the Turkmen people took place in the Princely Palace.

Following the joint photo ceremony of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Stephanie of Monaco, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and Prince Albert II held a bilateral meeting in a narrow format.

Prince Albert II warmly welcomed the National Leader of the Turkmen people and expressed gratitude for accepting the invitation to visit Monaco.

Discussing opportunities for cooperation and current aspects of international politics, the parties confirmed their commitment to expanding constructive partnership, including within authoritative structures.

Issues of intensifying humanitarian dialogue and deepening relations in the areas of culture, sports and tourism, taking into account the potential of the two countries, were also discussed. In this regard, the importance of increasing cooperation in the field of circus arts was emphasized.

Having emphasized the existence of great opportunities for increasing bilateral cooperation, the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prince Albert II noted the importance of bringing it to a qualitatively new level in accordance with the demands of the time and mutual interests.

The meeting then continued in an expanded format with the participation of delegations from both countries.

Warmly welcoming the distinguished guest and members of the Turkmen delegation, Prince Albert II once again expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan for accepting the invitation to visit Monaco.

Speaking about the importance of Turkmenistan’s initiatives for resolving current issues, Prince Albert II expressed Monaco’s support for our state’s peacekeeping policy.

Having expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit Monaco, as well as for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to the delegation of Turkmenistan, the National Leader of the Turkmen people conveyed to Prince Albert II words of greetings on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

During the conversation, it was emphasized that ten years have passed since the decision to establish diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Principality of Monaco was made in August 2015. In this regard, confidence was expressed in the existence of prospects for intensifying cooperation in the format of international organizations, as well as for joint work in the area of maintaining security and stability and countering new threats.

Having thanked the Principality of Monaco for its continued support of Turkmenistan’s initiatives put forward on the UN platform in different years, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan emphasized that this demonstrates the similarity of the parties' positions on key issues on the global agenda.

During the negotiations, emphasis was placed on the UN General Assembly Resolution on the proclamation, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, of 2025 as the «International Year of Peace and Trust». In this regard, the National Leader of the Turkmen people invited Prince Albert II to take part in the upcoming forum in Ashgabat dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust.

In continuation, the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the current meeting is conducive to discussing issues of bilateral cooperation in current areas, including environmental protection.

As emphasized, with the launch of the Monaco «green» initiative, the Prince Albert II Foundation has done a lot to protect the hydrosphere, in particular, the oceans and biodiversity. In this context, the National Leader of the Turkmen people expressed our country’s readiness to explore the possibilities of cooperation on the global climate agenda.

Touching upon the cultural and humanitarian sphere, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the prospects of establishing a partnership between the Princess Grace Foundation and the Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care named after Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty noted the existence of enormous potential for cooperation in the trade and economic sphere, including in the areas of business, tourism and finance. In this aspect, it was proposed to consider the possibilities of developing forms of partnership and business relations.

Another area of ​​joint efforts is outer space: ten years ago, the Principality of Monaco offered an orbital position for the artificial satellite «TürkmenÄlem 52oE». In this regard, noting that the term of the target agreement expires in 2030, the National Leader of the Turkmen people confirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to discuss the prospects for continuing bilateral cooperation.

Speaking about this, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty reported that work is currently underway on the construction of a second artificial satellite. Turkmenistan is interested in considering the prospects of joint work to launch this aircraft into space.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty emphasized that great attention is paid to dialogue in the field of culture. These days, the national equestrian games group «Galkynyş» is participating in the International Circus Arts Festival in Monte Carlo, which demonstrates the successful dynamics of cultural ties between Turkmenistan and the Principality of Monaco. In this regard, our country has expressed its readiness to significantly expand them, including in new directions.

Among the promising areas, the National Leader of the Turkmen people identified sports. It is noteworthy that the capital of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, was declared the «City of New Sports Opportunities of the Commonwealth».

The National Leader of the Turkmen people noted that through the efforts of Prince Albert II, who is a supporter of the sports movement and the development of targeted international cooperation, Monaco became the holder of the honorary title of Sports Capital of the World in 2025. In this regard, it was proposed to use mechanisms for building capacity and practical developments of our countries in order to consolidate efforts in such an important area.

Having expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan for his informative speech and proposals, Prince Albert II expressed confidence in the successful development of fruitful cooperation.

Noting the great potential for bilateral partnership, Prince Albert II confirmed Monaco’s commitment to expanding it in new directions.

At the end of the meeting, a gift exchange ceremony took place in an expanded format.

Then the National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prince Albert II met with members of the official delegations of the two countries.

Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left a memorable entry in the Book of Honored Guests of the Princely Palace.

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In the afternoon, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan visited the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people was acquainted with the history of the creation of the Oceanographic Museum, the works of Prince Albert I on oceanography.

The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan was also presented with information about the inhabitants of the aquarium, which is located within the museum.

As noted, the museum staff actively participate in scientific research, including in the field of underwater biology, as well as in resolving issues of marine environmental protection. Open lectures, seminars and master classes dedicated to ocean flora and fauna are organized for young scientists.

At the end of the tour, having wished the museum management success in their work, the National Leader of the Turkmen people departed for Nice International Airport.

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At the airport, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan met with members of the national equestrian games group «Galkynyş», which participated in the International Festival of Circus Arts in Monte Carlo.

During the visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people to Monaco, this group successfully performed at the Festival and was awarded the Gold Award and other special prizes.

Addressing the members of the Group, the National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the growing scale of cultural dialogue between Turkmenistan and the countries of the planet, including the Principality of Monaco, as well as the extensive work being carried out in the country to develop domestic equestrian sports.

Having heartily congratulated the members of t the national equestrian games group «Galkynyş» on their brilliant victory in the first month of the new year – the International Year of Peace and Trust, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty wished them good health, family well-being and further great success in their work.

From the international airport of Nice, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov departed for his homeland.

After some time, the airliner of the National Leader of the Turkmen people landed at the Ashgabat International Airport. Here, the National Leader of the Turkmen people was met by officials.

At the airport, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan spoke with representatives of the domestic media and emphasized the importance of the visit to the Principality of Monaco and the bilateral negotiations held during it.

Having wished everyone success, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan left the scene of the event.