TURKMENISTAN — GEORGIA: Development of Cooperation in Science and Education

From August 31 to September 2, 2026, a Georgian delegation headed by Givi Mikanadze, Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, paid a visit to our country. The delegation of the friendly state was warmly and cordially welcomed on Turkmen soil.

As is well known, the Day of Knowledge and Student Youth is widely celebrated in our country. On this memorable occasion, with the participation of the esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the new complex of buildings of the Turkmen State Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering was opened and commissioned. The participation of the Georgian delegation in the opening ceremony of this modern higher educational institution is particularly noteworthy.

The creation of all the necessary conditions for students, professors and teaching staff, as well as specialists, received high praise from the foreign guests. The main building, assembly hall, academic buildings, a 1,000-seat dining hall, library, dormitories equipped with all necessary amenities, sports grounds and other technical facilities of the new complex, as well as modern equipment, left a favourable impression on the guests. The meetings held at the higher educational institution served as an important platform for the exchange of experience. Members of the delegation noted the importance of participating in such a large-scale event and expressed their gratitude to the esteemed President for the great attention devoted to the development of modern education, digital technologies and international cooperation.

A meeting between members of the delegation of the friendly state and the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers responsible for the areas of science and education, healthcare and sports of our country was of particular importance in discussing the broad prospects for Turkmen-Georgian relations in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to the development of joint educational programmes, the conduct of joint scientific research and the preparation of academic publications, as well as the organisation of exchanges between students and teachers.

In addition, meetings were held with the leadership and professors and teaching staff of Magtymguly Turkmen State University and the Yagshygeldi Kakayev International University of Oil and Gas. During the meetings, views were exchanged on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the importance of establishing mutually beneficial cooperation with relevant higher educational institutions of Georgia, developing Turkmen-Georgian relations in the field of science and education across a broad range of areas of mutual interest, and, ultimately, further advancing scientific diplomacy.

A special cultural programme was also prepared for the Georgian guests. As part of the visit, a flower-laying ceremony was held at the monument to the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, located in the Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural and Park Complex in the capital. This served as a vivid expression of the common historical roots of literary ties and the high regard that our peoples hold for creativity and literature.

During the visit, the guests were taken on an excursion to the National Museum of Turkmen Carpet, where they became closely acquainted with the treasures of our cultural heritage. The national pride of our people — our exquisite carpets, which are widely renowned throughout the world — aroused great interest among the members of the delegation of the friendly state.

The Georgian delegation proudly emphasised the significant role of our Independent and Permanently Neutral Motherland in international initiatives and expressed its sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and the esteemed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for actively strengthening friendly relations based on the philosophical principle “Dialogue — a Guarantee of Peace” and for creating broad opportunities for the effective development of international cooperation.

Ylyas SHYHYYEV,

the 2^nd year student of the Faculty of International Journalism

of the Institute of International Relations of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan