The program, held with the participation of Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Ankara Mekan İşangulıyev, focused on academic, cultural, and economic cooperation between the two countries. Within the scope of the event, Ambassador Mekan İşangulıyev and his accompanying delegation visited Pamukkale University. The delegation was welcomed by Pamukkale University Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör. Following the reception program, an exhibition consisting of visuals related to Turkmenistan was inaugurated on the ground floor of the Rectorate building. Visiting the exhibition, Ambassador İşangulıyev provided information about Turkmenistan’s history, culture, and current developments through the displayed visuals. The program continued in the Rectorate Executive Board Meeting Hall after a group photograph was taken.

In his opening speech, Pamukkale University Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör provided information about the university’s education, research, and internationalization activities. Güngör stated that a bilateral cooperation protocol had been signed between Pamukkale University and Mahdumkulu State University in Turkmenistan, and that a response from the counterpart institution was awaited. Noting that student and academic staff exchanges could be carried out once the agreement is implemented, Güngör emphasized that this would make significant contributions to academic and cultural relations between Türkiye and Turkmenistan, and requested Ambassador İşangulıyev’s support.

The program was moderated by Professor Soner Sağlam, a faculty member of the Department of Contemporary Turkish Dialects and Literatures at Pamukkale University. The first speaker of the meeting, Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Ankara Mekan İşangulıyev, shared the 35-year journey of Turkmenistan’s independence with the participants. Reminding that Türkiye was the first country to recognize Turkmenistan’s independence, İşangulıyev stated that economic, cultural, and educational cooperation between the two brother countries continues to develop day by day. Expressing his satisfaction with the studies on Turkmen language, culture, and literature carried out at Pamukkale University, particularly in the field of Turkology, the Ambassador stated that they are ready to provide all kinds of support for the continuation and expansion of such academic activities. Following this, EkoAvrasya Foundation President Dr. Hikmet Eren emphasized the role of civil society organizations in the integration process of the Turkic world. Highlighting the importance of cooperation developed around common culture and shared values in the Turkic world, Eren thanked Pamukkale University for hosting the event. TÜRSİT President Kemal Kurnaz stated that civil society organizations play important roles in Türkiye’s relations with the Turkic world. Noting that Turkmenistan has become a symbol of peace and security in its region thanks to its policy of neutrality, Kurnaz emphasized that TÜRSİT will continue its efforts to further develop relations between Türkiye and Turkmenistan. EkoAvrasya Foundation Vice President and Final Schools Sümer Branch Board Chairman Mahmut Catlık, who began his speech by celebrating the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, provided information about Denizli’s economic potential and investment opportunities. Noting that Denizli is an important center of the Ahi tradition, Catlık stated that the city’s entrepreneurial culture continues strongly. He also highlighted the importance of the contacts made by the Turkmenistan delegation with the business community in Denizli. Professor Berdi Sarıyev from Ankara University Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Department of Contemporary Turkish Dialects and Literatures, stated that 2026 had been declared the “Year of the Horse” in Turkmenistan and provided information about the place of the horse in Turkmen culture and civilization. Sharing examples from Turkmen proverbs and poetry, Sarıyev stated that the horse holds a special place in the worldview of the Turkmen people. He also noted that the day of the meeting is celebrated in Turkmenistan as “Science Day,” emphasizing the significance of organizing such a program at Pamukkale University, one of Türkiye’s important scientific centers, on this meaningful day when scientists are honored. The final speaker of the program, Professor Soner Sağlam, provided information about the academic studies on Turkmen language, culture, and literature conducted at Pamukkale University. Referring to panels, symposiums, workshops, and scientific publications carried out within the university, Sağlam stated that Pamukkale University is among the higher education institutions in Türkiye that conduct the highest number of academic studies and events in the field of Turkmen language, culture, and literature.

At the end of the program, certificates of appreciation were presented to the speakers by Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör. Afterwards, mutual exchange of gifts between institutions was carried out. The program organized on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence concluded with a group photograph.