Ulzira Bakhytbaeva
When discussing Central Asia, analysts often focus on Uzbekistan’s relations with Kazakhstan, China, or Russia. Far less attention is paid to Uzbekistan’s partnership with neighboring Turkmenistan. This is hardly surprising. Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most closed political systems, pursuing a policy of permanent neutrality and limited engagement with international institutions.
Beneath this quiet diplomatic profile lies one of the region’s most pragmatic bilateral relationships. The growing partnership between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan demonstrates that practical cooperation, rather than political rhetoric, is becoming the driving force of regional integration in Central Asia.
The transformation began after Shavkat Mirziyoyev became President of Uzbekistan in 2016. His foreign policy prioritized rebuilding trust with neighboring countries after years of limited regional cooperation. While Kazakhstan naturally attracted the greatest attention due to its economic weight, Turkmenistan quickly emerged as another important partner. Frequent high-level meetings, new trade agreements, and infrastructure projects signaled a clear shift from cautious coexistence toward active cooperation.
Turkmenistan occupies a strategic geographical position linking Central Asia with Iran and the Persian Gulf. For landlocked Uzbekistan, access to alternative transport routes has become a national priority. The transport corridor through Turkmenistan toward the Iranian ports of Bandar Abbas and Chabahar provides Uzbek exporters with greater access to global markets while reducing dependence on northern routes. In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, diversified transport infrastructure is no longer merely an economic issue—it has become a strategic necessity.
Uzbekistan’s imports from Turkmenistan are primarily energy and petroleum products. Energy and petroleum products accounted for the majority of imports from Turkmenistan in 2024, amounting to $5,975.9 million (natural gas $732.9 million, oil and petroleum products $139 million, and electricity $103.2 million). Imports of these items in 2024 increased by 10.4% compared to 2023
Energy cooperation also reflects this pragmatic approach. Although both countries are natural gas producers, they increasingly coordinate on electricity transmission, energy infrastructure, and regional logistics. Rather than competing directly, they seek complementary opportunities that strengthen regional resilience.
Energy Cooperation. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening cooperation in electricity supplies and transit, as well as implementing joint energy projects. They also agreed to move on to larger-scale projects, including the joint development of promising fields. Against the backdrop of the global transition to green energy and the growing role of regional energy producers, such initiatives will enhance the sustainability of regional energy systems.
Investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is steadily developing. Over the past four years, the number of enterprises with Turkmen capital in Uzbekistan has increased by 12%, reaching approximately 200 companies.
In 2022-2023, Turkmenistan invested $6.7 million in the economy of Uzbekistan (in construction $3.5 million, crop production $1.5 million, glass production and livestock $1.5 million). The investment structure demonstrates a high capital investment focus on long-term projects of construction.
Security concerns provide another incentive for cooperation. Both countries share an interest in maintaining stability along Afghanistan’s northern border. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Tashkent and Ashgabat have adopted pragmatic engagement rather than isolation. While neither government officially recognizes the Taliban administration, both maintain working contacts to facilitate border security, trade, and infrastructure projects. This cautious diplomacy reflects the realities of geography: instability in Afghanistan directly affects the economic and security interests of both states.
Moreover, Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality remains both an advantage and a constraint. It allows Ashgabat to maintain constructive relations with diverse international actors while avoiding geopolitical rivalries. However, this same policy often limits the country’s willingness to participate in broader regional initiatives that require stronger institutional commitments.
Despite these challenges, the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan relationship offers an important lesson for Central Asia. Regional integration does not necessarily depend on ambitious political unions or formal alliances. Instead, it often develops through practical cooperation in transport, trade, energy, and border management. These sectors produce tangible benefits for citizens while gradually building mutual trust between governments.
The Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan relationship may lack dramatic headlines, but its quiet progress should not be underestimated. In a region often shaped by geopolitical competition, this partnership illustrates the value of pragmatism, stability, and long-term economic cooperation. Sometimes the most important relationships are not the loudest ones, they are the ones that steadily reshape the region from behind the scenes.
Ulzira Bakhytbaeva is an intern at PolicyEast with research interests in Central Asian geopolitics, regional integration, and international relations. Her work focuses on foreign policy, connectivity initiatives, and political developments across Eurasia. She aims to produce evidence-based analysis that contributes to informed discussions on regional affairs.
