On June 20, 2024, in Ashgabat, Ambassador Ruslan Stoyanov presented his credentials to the Speaker of the Mejlis /Parliament/ of Turkmenistan, Dunyagyozel Gulmanova, and officially took up his duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Turkmenistan, based in Baku. According to the local protocol practice, non-resident newly appointed ambassadors in Ashgabat are received by the Speaker of the National Parliament upon the order of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

During the ceremony, the Speaker of the Parliament Ms. Gulmanova welcomed Ambassador Stoyanov and wished him a successful mandate, handing him a reply letter from the President of Turkmenistan. Ambassador Ruslan Stoyanov expressed gratitude, emphasizing the Embassy's readiness to contribute to maintaining an active bilateral dialogue, for the benefit of both countries, as well as to the constructive dialogue that exists within the framework of EU-Turkmenistan relations.

During the talks, the two sides discussed the state of the bilateral relations after the pause during the Covid-19 pandemic and the steps for their further activation. It was found that Bulgaria and Turkmenistan attach great importance to the development of their relations in all areas, both in bilateral and international formats through international organizations. The desire on our part to activate the bilateral political dialogue, including on a parliamentary basis, by restoring the ties between the friendship groups in the Parliaments of the two countries, especially after the latest parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, was emphasized.

During his working visit to Ashgabat, Ambassador Stoyanov was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for presentation of copies of his credentials. He also held meetings at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Energy and the Transport and Communications Agency under the Council of Ministers of Turkmenistan. During the talks, it was noted that there is a solid potential for successful and prospective development of relations in the commercial, economic and energy fields. Emphasis was also placed on the stimulation of scientific exchange, especially in the field of innovation, modern technologies, healthcare and tourism, as well as modern culture and art. The review and expansion of the bilateral contractual legal framework was an important element in the discussions. In this regard attention was paid to the need to hold political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, as well as to organize the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Bulgarian-Turkmen Commission for Economic Cooperation in the foreseeable future, possibly in the second half of 2024.