A gala diplomatic reception was held at the Georgian Embassy in Turkmenistan to mark the country's national holiday, Independence Day. The event, symbolizing the Georgian people's centuries-old aspiration for sovereignty and democratic development, brought together heads of Turkmenistan's ministries and agencies, heads of accredited diplomatic missions, international organizations, and members of the public in Ashgabat.

This year, for the first time, the gala evening was held directly in the diplomatic mission building, lending the meeting a special atmosphere of warmth, sincerity, and genuine Caucasian hospitality. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia Konstantin Sabiashvili opened the official part of the celebration, expressing his deep gratitude to the guests for their participation in the meeting in a detailed address.

The head of the Georgian diplomatic mission began his speech with a tribute to Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia, noting his epochal role as the nation's spiritual leader for nearly half a century. He also congratulated the newly elected Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III on his enthronement. The Ambassador informed those gathered that in 2026, Georgia will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion, highlighting the profound civilizational and spiritual foundations of Georgian culture.

Turning to the geoeconomic agenda, Konstantin Sabiashvili described Georgia as a key strategic gateway for seven landlocked Eurasian states. As part of its long-term economic strategy, Tbilisi plans to mobilize up to $7 billion by 2032 for large-scale modernization of its transport and logistics infrastructure.

The Middle Corridor, where cargo turnover has already grown by 33%, occupies a central place in this architecture. The sustainability of regional connections is ensured by such existing arteries as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Supsa oil pipelines, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Lapis Lazuli corridor, and the international TRACECA program.

The diplomat reported that the construction of the Anaklia deepwater port has entered the active dredging phase, and by 2029, its capacity will reach 600,000 TEUs of cargo, in parallel with the completion of the East-West Highway. At the same time, a project to build a submarine power cable along the bottom of the Black Sea to supply Europe with clean energy is being implemented in partnership with Azerbaijan, Romania, and Hungary. Tbilisi is inviting Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, to participate in this project.

The ambassador emphasized that in an era of global fragmentation, prosperity is built not by walls, but by bridges, and Georgia is successfully fulfilling this connecting role by consistently supporting peace initiatives in the South Caucasus. Praising the dynamic of bilateral relations with Turkmenistan, the diplomat cited the unprecedented intensity of mutual contacts. In 2025, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made an official visit to Ashgabat, where he held talks with President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as a visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov to Tbilisi.

In 2026, Georgia hosted the Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, Deputy Prime Minister Nokerguly Atagulyev, and Minister of Trade Nazar Agakhanov. In early May, a Georgian delegation led by the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development visited Ashgabat, ensuring the successful conduct of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission. The head of the mission expressed sincere gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for its continued and steadfast support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, wishing President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, peace and prosperity.

The main guest of honor at the reception from the Government of Turkmenistan was Minister of Trade Nazar Agakhanov, who, on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and himself, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Georgian people on Independence Day. In his speech, the minister emphasized that the diplomatic relations established between the two countries in August 1993 serve as a solid foundation for the consistent expansion of a mutually beneficial partnership based on the principles of mutual respect and constructive trust.

Expanding multi-vector dialogue with Tbilisi is one of Ashgabat's priority areas of interaction with European countries. The minister noted the high productivity of the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Georgian Commission on Economic Cooperation, which concluded on May 7, 2026, in Ashgabat. The signed protocol documented the strong economic potential of the two countries.

The Turkmen side placed particular emphasis on transport and transit, where Turkmenistan is consistently expanding its participation in international logistics projects, including the TRACECA and Lapis Lazuli corridors, which reliably connect Central Asia via the Caspian and Black Seas with the countries of the Caucasus and Europe.

Nazar Agakhanov mentioned the important agreements reached during the recent meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Nokerguly Atagulyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, which confirmed the mutual desire of the two countries' businesses to develop cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, tourism, and innovation.

At the end of the official session, the Minister of Trade expressed deep gratitude to Ambassador Konstantin Sabiashvili for his active diplomatic efforts to diversify bilateral ties.

The festive evening continued in a warm, friendly atmosphere, where the reception was truly enhanced by folk songs and a tasting of traditional national dishes.

A striking symbol of the evening was the authentic qvevri vessel on display in the embassy courtyard, symbolizing the eight-thousand-year-old, uninterrupted tradition of Georgian winemaking, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spirit of this tradition was shared that evening by the guests, kind and generous friends of the Georgian and Turkmen peoples.

Bekdurdy AMANSARIEV