In a significant step toward enhancing cultural cooperation, Dr. Saad Khan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI), met with H.E. Ambassador Gayypov Ylyas of Turkmenistan on Monday, 27 January 2025. The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss Turkmenistan’s deeper involvement with the ECI and explore new avenues for cultural collaboration.
On Monday, 27 January 2025, a welcoming meeting was held between H.E. Ambassador Gayypov Ylyas, the newly appointed Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Iran, and H.E. Dr. Saad Khan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute (ECI). This meeting marked the beginning of Ambassador Ylyas’s tenure in Iran and provided an opportunity to strengthen cultural ties and discuss Turkmenistan’s potential future involvement with the ECI.
Dr. Saad Khan commenced the meeting by giving a brief overview of the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the founding of the ECI. He emphasized Turkmenistan’s pioneering role in initiating the creation of a cultural institute under the framework of the ECO. At present, Turkmenistan is an observer member of the ECI, and Dr. Khan extended a formal invitation for the country to become a full member. This would grant Turkmenistan the right to participate in the ECI’s CPR meetings and acquire voting rights within the organization.
Ambassador Ylyas expressed his appreciation for the invitation and assured Dr. Khan that he would follow up on the procedures and legal requirements necessary for Turkmenistan’s full membership. He also noted Turkmenistan’s deep interest in fostering cultural exchanges, both within the ECO region and beyond, particularly with neighboring countries such as Iran. Ambassador Ylyas highlighted that Turkmenistan’s foreign policy of neutrality allows for strong relations with all nations, and that cultural diplomacy could serve as an important bridge for deeper international cooperation.
During the meeting, Dr. Khan made a notable suggestion to further promote cultural relations by establishing the first ECI branch in Arkadag, a city in southern Turkmenistan. This new office could serve as a cultural hub for both countries and the broader ECO region, hosting events and facilitating collaboration on various cultural initiatives. Ambassador Ylyas welcomed the idea, recognizing the potential benefits for both Turkmenistan and the ECI.
In addition to the discussion on institutional collaboration, both sides proposed a series of cultural programs. Notably, Ambassador Ylyas referred to the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality. In this context, Turkmenistan is planning to host an international festival, and he suggested that ECI could collaborate by hosting related events in Iran. Other program suggestions included the re-establishment of cooperation with Turkmenistan’s Calligraphy Institute, the launch of a newly translated version of Makhtum Gholi Feraghi’s poetry book in Persian with some new poems, and the possibility of holding joint events in Turkmenistan with participation from ECI members.
The meeting concluded with a thoughtful gesture from Ambassador Ylyas, who presented Dr. Saad Khan with a valuable book titled “A Horse – A Symbol of Faithfulness and Happiness”, authored by the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This symbolic gift reflected the enduring ties between Turkmenistan and Iran, as well as the shared cultural heritage.
Both parties expressed their commitment to continuing and enhancing cultural cooperation, and the meeting concluded on a positive note, with plans for future collaboration already in progress.
This meeting laid a strong foundation for future cultural exchanges between Turkmenistan and the ECI, with both sides eager to explore further opportunities for collaboration in the coming months.