On December 10–12, Turkmenistan's Neutrality Day will be celebrated in Ashgabat, and concurrently, an international conference on peace, cooperation, and sustainable development will be organized.
According to Modern.az, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are also expected to attend the event.
Local media reports that Erdoğan will make a formal proposal to Turkmenistan's de facto leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov regarding the country's full membership in the Organization of Turkic States. Turkmenistan has so far only held observer status in the organization.
In addition, Erdoğan will announce the implementation of visa-free entry and the right to stay for 90 days in Turkey for Turkmen citizens. Turkish media reports that this decision will strengthen tourism and trade relations.
According to analysts, the announcement of these proposals in Putin's presence is an attempt by Ankara to create a new balance of power in Central Asia. Turkmenistan's full integration into the OTS does not align with the security model Russia aims to establish in the region.
