Presidents have always played a significant role in determining country’s domestic and foreign policy, and its relations with other countries, especially neighboring ones. Change of president can lead to a change of relationship. This might be the case with new Turkmen President G. Berdymuhammedov in relation to Kyrgyzstan. He expressed his intention to develop dynamic and mutually-beneficial relations with Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyz leaders are also eager to cooperate with its neighbor and some key leaders have already shown their interest. Kyrgyz Secretary of State Adahan Madumarov intends to build new relationship with Turkmenistan by developing new mutual cooperation. Common historical trends, cultural, traditional and language similarities can serve as solid basis for this kind of cooperation. Turkmen president G. Berdymuhammedov and A. Madumarov noted importance of trade and economic cooperation.

Some actions toward mutual cooperation were already taken. Not long ago the International Financial Corporation has initiated and organized a business visit for workers of Central Bank of Turkmenistan to National Bank of Kyrgyzstan with a purpose of gaining new experience on Kyrgyz bank’s different operational and functional systems. The presentation given by Kyrgyz National Bank covered micro-credit and micro-finance systems development. That means Turkmenistan leaders are open to new experience in banking and economic spheres, which are very important for a country to develop.

Ednan Karabaev, Minister of External Affairs of Kyrgyzstan will visit Turkmenistan on 13-14 June this year. He is planning to meet with the president of Turkmenistan G. Berdymuhammedov to discuss kyrgyz-turkmen economic and social cooperation. Hopefully Kyrgyz and Turkmen leaders will promote new economic and cultural ties that will bring positive results and better cooperation in the region as a whole.