Official Visit of the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan to the French Republic

On May 5–6, 2025, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (Hero-Arkadag), paid an official visit to the French Republic. The visit featured a rich agenda covering political, economic, cultural, and scientific areas of cooperation between the two nations.

Meeting at the Élysée Palace

A central event of the visit was the meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, held at the Élysée Palace. Following the official welcoming ceremony and a joint photo session, the leaders held bilateral talks—initially in a narrow format and later with the participation of official delegations. Key topics included the neutral legal status of Turkmenistan, sustainable development, energy, transport, water management, satellite technology, and other strategic areas of cooperation.

Signing of Bilateral Agreements

Several significant bilateral documents were signed during the visit:

• Declaration on Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Urban Development;

• Roadmap for Educational Cooperation between Higher Education Institutions for 2025–2026;

• Agreement on Archaeological Research Collaboration;

• Framework Agreement on the launch of the TürkmenÄlem 52°E-2 national telecommunications satellite;

• Memorandums of Understanding with companies such as Thales Alenia Space France, Kayrros SAS, Airbus Defence and Space SAS, IGN FI, and SUEZ International.

Turkmen-French Economic Forum and Business Meetings

The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty took part in the Turkmen-French Economic Forum, organized by MEDEF International. The forum provided a platform to present Turkmenistan’s investment potential, discuss joint projects, and strengthen business ties between the two countries.

Prior to the forum, Hero-Arkadag and other participants toured an exhibition showcasing Turkmenistan’s economic achievements and cultural heritage.

Meeting with the Leadership of Bouygues

At the residence of Bouygues, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with the company’s chairman, Martin Bouygues. Discussions focused on the company’s ongoing involvement in Turkmenistan’s infrastructure projects, including contributions to education and the promotion of the French language.

Social and Cultural Cooperation

The National Leader highlighted the importance of humanitarian ties, including the regular organization of Francophonie Days, French film screenings, exhibitions, and archaeological initiatives. He also noted the promising new area of cooperation in speleology, referencing successful joint expeditions in the Köýtendag mountain caves.

Conclusion of the Visit

The visit reaffirmed the high level of Turkmen-French relations and opened new prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation in political, economic, scientific, and cultural domains. President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude for the productive talks and conveyed warm greetings to the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Following the conclusion of the official program, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan departed from Orly International Airport in Paris, returning to his homeland.