Turkmenistan celebrated the Day of the Constitution and the State Flag, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty held a telephone conversation with the Vice President of the UAE, “Turkmenistan” Airlines changed its base airport in the Balkan velayat and other news
Turkmenistan
1. On May 18, celebrations were held in Turkmenistan to mark the Day of the Constitution and the National Flag of the country. The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the events. The head of state laid a wreath at the monument to the Constitution and the flagpole with the National Flag.
2. The President of Turkmenistan signed a Resolution on the preparation of the draft State Budget for 2026, the main directions of socio-economic development and the country's investment program. According to the Resolution, the Ministry of Finance and Economy was instructed to organize work on the preparation of these projects and submit them to the Cabinet of Ministers by November 1 of this year.
3. National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Director of the Asian Development Bank Permanent Mission in Turkmenistan Artur Andrisyak. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for cooperation. Then, a ceremony was held to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the State Committee for the Construction of the City of Arkadag under the President of Turkmenistan and the ADB.
4. “Turkmenistan” Airlines has temporarily changed its home airport in the Balkan velayat. Starting from May 19, the air carrier suspended flights to the city of Turkmenbashy. Instead, flights are operated to the new Balkanabat International Airport, which has already begun accepting its first passengers.
5. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent a congratulatory message to Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his enthronement. In his congratulatory message, the head of state expressed confidence that the new pontiff "will make every effort to strengthen the spiritual values of humanity, unity and peace." The President of Turkmenistan also wished Leo XIV good health and success in his responsible mission.
6. The National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty held a telephone conversation with the Vice President of the UAE Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the conversation, the parties noted the high level of Turkmen-UAE relations based on the principles of friendship, mutual respect and support. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the significant prospects for expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation, pointing to the steady growth in trade turnover between the countries.
7. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov took part in the Tehran Dialogue Forum. Speaking at a panel discussion, the head of the Foreign Ministry presented Turkmenistan's position on the development of transport and logistics connectivity. He paid special attention to Turkmenistan's initiative "Revival of the Great Silk Road".
8. The International Festival "Music of Peace", dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, was solemnly opened at the Palace of Mukams of the State Cultural Center in Ashgabat. Leading composers, conductors, opera singers and musicians from Russia, China, France, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are taking part in the event.
https://turkmenportal.com/blog/91215/v-turkmenistane-startoval-mezhdunarodnyi-festival-muzyka-mira
World
1. Austrian representative Johannes Pietsch won the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, the final of which took place in Basel, Switzerland. According to the results of the professional jury and TV viewers' vote, the Austrian performer scored 436 points. Israeli representative Yuval Rafael took second place with 357 points. The bronze prize winner of the contest was Estonian musician Tommy Cash, who received 356 points. Johannes Pitch performed the song Wasted Love. Representatives of 26 countries took part in the final of Eurovision 2025. According to the rules of the contest, the next music forum will be held in Austria.
Sport
1. Arkadag defeated Shagadam in the 11th round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship. The match in Turkmenbashi ended with a score of 4:1. Altymurad Annadurdyev scored twice for the winners, while Mekan Saparov and Velmurat Ballakov also scored a goal each. Ashir Dzhumadurdyev scored the only goal for Shagadam.
2. In the central match of the 11th round of the Turkmenistan Football Championship, Altyn Asyr beat Ahal 3:1. The match took place at the stadium in the Buzmeyin etrap. The score in the match was opened in the 12th minute by the player of the Ashgabat team Abdyrahman Annamyradov, in the 29th minute Nazar Tovakilova from Ahal equalized the score, scoring his first goal in the match, in the 36th minute Ruslan Tajiyev put Altyn Asyr ahead, and in the 72nd minute Nazar Tovakilova scored for the second time, scoring into his own goal. After the victory, Altyn Asyr rose to third place in the standings, having scored 22 points in 10 matches. Ahal is in second place with 24 points after 11 games.
https://turkmenportal.com/blog/91193/altyn-asyr-obygral-ahal-tovakelov-zabil-v-svoi-i-chuzhie-vorota
