Turkmenistan-Turkey relations in Saparmurat Turkmenbasi Period

The emergence of independent Turkic republics in Central Asia after collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has been brought new developments in Turkish Foreign Policy, in a changing world order. Turkmenistan has become one of the most remarkable countries with its rich natural resources and geopolitical position among the countries that have been gained of independence with the collapse of the Soviet union. Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, the first president of Turkmenistan, that gained independence in 1991, became the most influential name in the history of independent Turkmenistan from 2006 until his death with the building of nation-state, creation of national identity and reform movements in the post-independence transition process. Turkmenbashi, who wanted to integrate the country into the international system by getting over the Russian influence, has always attached particular importance to multilateral relations. It is one of the main objectives of Turkmenbashi that to accelerate the development of the country by marketing natural gas and oil resources, which are the mainstay of economy, to the world with the other alternatives apart from Russia, in addition to the reforms in the country. Turkey which has been a bridge between the East and the West because of its geopolitical position has been one of the most important alternatives for Turkmenbashi. Turkmenbashi threw the importance of developing bilateral relations between two countries into sharp relief by paying the first official visit to Turkey. However, Turkey has been the first country that recognizes Turkmenistan's independence. Being more often mutual official visits at statesmen level with the influence of common history, language, religion and cultural ties between Turkmenistan and Turkey, has given acceleration to the regular relations. Therefore, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Era has an important place in Turkmenistan-Turkey relations. Turkey's financial support in areas such as economy, trade, science, culture and training and investments of Turkish companies in Turkmenistan has been reflected credit upon development of Turkmenistan after the independence and bilateral relations of two countries.