This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The current state visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Tajikistan, on the sidelines of which a Declaration on deepening strategic partnership was signed, opens a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations.
Expert of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Marhamat Nazirova told about the dynamics of the development of humanitarian relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in an article published by the national news agency of Tajikistan “Khovar”. Here is the text of the article:
“The basis of bilateral relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, as sovereign states, was laid on 27 January 1993 in accordance with the document “On the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan”.
Over the years of independence, Tajikistan has signed more than 2,100 bilateral documents with the countries of the world, which include bilateral cooperation between the countries in various political, economic, trade, military-technical spheres, security, science and education, culture, healthcare, tourism and others. Of these signed documents, more than 110 relate to bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
It should be noted that only during the first official visit of the former President of Turkmenistan G. Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Tajikistan on 4-5 October 2007, which undoubtedly marks the beginning of a new stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries, the heads of state signed six important documents on cooperation. Of these six documents, there are two important documents on cooperation in the field of culture, art and education, including the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of Turkmenistan on cooperation in the field of culture and art” and the “Agreement in the field of education”.
In this regard, throughout the entire cooperation and bilateral relations between these two states, the signed documents are more political, economic, cultural and humanitarian, investment, tax and customs in nature. Meanwhile, cooperation in various social spheres of the two states is an important moment for the development of cultural relations and the development of science and education.
The spheres of culture, science and education in bilateral cooperation are one of the priority areas of the states. Therefore, experts in the field of culture, science and education of both countries constantly take an active part in international events held on the territory of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
It should be noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of cooperation and diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. During this time, the countries hosted various scientific and cultural events. In particular, at the initiative of the heads of the two states, the Days of Culture of Tajikistan in Turkmenistan and the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Tajikistan are held, which, of course, contributes to strengthening the friendship of the peoples of these two friendly states.
Regular and effective bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the field of science and education has also been established. In this regard, the analysis shows that today a large number of students from Turkmenistan study in institutions of higher professional education of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Tajik students study in vocational educational institutions of Turkmenistan.
Turkmen students mostly study at Sadriddin Aini Tajik State Pedagogical University, and Tajik students prefer the Seidi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute. This indicate that cooperation between the states in the field of training of specialists in the field of pedagogy is well established and special attention is paid to this area.
According to statistics, in the 2022-2023 academic year 116 Turkmen citizens study in vocational educational institutions of Tajikistan, most of whom are studying at the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after S. Aini.
The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan annually allocates grants for foreign students in higher professional educational institutions.
Along with this, it is expected that Turkmenistan will build a secondary school in the village of Gallaobod of the rural community of Jilikul for 540 places within the framework of mutually beneficial and multifaceted cooperation.
The building of the school will consist of two floors and will accommodate spacious classrooms. Currently, there are six Tajik-Turkmen educational institutions in the region, where children from Turkmen families study.
In general, we can say that the current state of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is constantly developing in the fields of culture, science and education. We hope that the visit of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Republic of Tajikistan, who arrived today (May 10), will enhance joint relations between the two states and develop friendly interstate relations.” ///nCa, 11 May 2023