22.06.2026
President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov was welcomed with a military ceremony in Baku during his official visit to Azerbaijan. Berdimuhamedov was officially received by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Following one-on-one and expanded-format talks between the two leaders, a number of significant agreements with multi-billion-dollar potential were signed between the two countries.
A Gift of Friendship from Baku to Ashgabat: “Dostlug” Oil Tanker Unveiled
One of the highlights of the summit was the online unveiling ceremony of the “Dostlug” oil tanker attended by both leaders. The large tanker, gifted by Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan and named after the joint energy field shared by the two countries in the Caspian Sea, was built at Baku Shipyard.
Technical Specifications of the “Dostlug” Tanker and the Shipyard’s Capabilities
Capacity and Dimensions: The tanker has a carrying capacity of 7,875 tons. It is 141 meters long and 16.9 meters wide. Strategic Significance: The construction of such a complex and large-scale vessel in Azerbaijan demonstrates the country's technological advancement in the shipbuilding industry and serves as a tangible symbol of friendship between the two nations. Shipyard Portfolio: To date, the Baku shipyard has successfully completed the construction of 14 vessels and more than 170 ship repair projects. Currently, its order portfolio includes 11 vessels under construction and 6 more in the design phase.
Joint Statement by the Leaders and Major Sectoral Agreements
At the conclusion of the talks, Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Joint Declaration that elevates bilateral relations to a new level. Following this, ministers and heads of state committees from both countries signed a broad package of agreements covering customs, energy, economy, healthcare, and other areas of cooperation. After the historic signing ceremony, Aliyev and Berdimuhamedov delivered a joint statement to the media. The leaders emphasized that this historic visit and the signed documents mark the beginning of a new era not only for the two countries but also for the wider Turkic world and for the security of logistics routes across the Caspian region.
