Ashgabat: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during the CIS Council of Heads of Government meeting in Ashgabat. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in industry, energy, and logistics.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mishustin emphasized the strategic importance of the North-South Transport Corridor, which provides Russia and Turkmenistan access to new markets in China, India, the Gulf, the Asia-Pacific region, and Africa. Mishustin expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen trade, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries.

During a closed-door session of the CIS Heads of Government Council, Mishustin noted the ongoing efforts to enhance economic and transportation connectivity within the CIS, highlighting a 6.5% increase in Russia's trade turnover with CIS countries in the early months of 2026. He attributed this growth to the implementation of the CIS economic development strategy.

Mishustin also reported progress on the North-South International Transport Corridor, including improvements to checkpoints and dredging work on the Volga-Caspian Canal. He mentioned the expansion of industrial cooperation within the CIS through new joint ventures in mechanical engineering and the establishment of a joint engineering center focused on information and communications technology.

Furthermore, Mishustin noted collaboration among CIS countries in geodesy and cartography, such as the development of a shared geoportal for spatial data infrastructure.