AWAZA – Eswatini has established diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan following the signing of a protocol by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pholile Shakantu, on the sidelines of the 3rd United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3).
The agreement was signed in Awaza, Turkmenistan, where His Majesty King Mswati III is attending the ongoing international summit. The protocol is in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and signals the beginning of formal cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking after the signing, Minister Shakantu said Eswatini and Turkmenistan share common interests, particularly around economic diversification and the pursuit of sustainable development in the face of climate change.
“Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas and has experience in desert agriculture—areas that could benefit Eswatini as we deal with climate-related challenges like drought,” she said.
Shakantu said the two countries also face similar obstacles as landlocked nations, especially in accessing global markets. The new partnership, she said, would help both countries coordinate efforts around trade, peace-building, and economic resilience.
She added that Eswatini and Turkmenistan share membership in global bodies such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, and the Non-Aligned Movement. These platforms, according to the minister, will serve as channels for joint initiatives that respond to shared development goals.
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