Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan Deal Push: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov’s state visit to Azerbaijan wrapped up with a packed program in Shusha, including meetings, a lunch with Ilham Aliyev, and inspections tied to reconstruction and cultural projects. Trade & Transport: Baku and Ashgabat signed a set of agreements covering technical specs for moving goods and vehicles, harmonizing customs trade statistics, and expanding cooperation across energy, industry, agriculture, banking, labor migration, and transport/logistics—framed as support for the Middle Corridor. Cultural Diplomacy in Shusha: The leaders visited the Bulbul House-Museum, viewed bullet-riddled busts returned after wartime vandalism, and toured the “Heydar Aliyev and Garabagh” exhibition. World Bank Support: Turkmenistan signed a $314,000 agreement with the World Bank to upgrade its national statistical system toward the 2025 System of National Accounts, including improved GDP calculation methods. EU Connectivity Agenda: Turkmenistan took part in the EU’s Connectivity Agenda Platform launch in Brussels, aimed at strengthening links between Europe, the Black Sea, Türkiye, and Central Asia. Public Services Glitch: Turkmen passport applicants reportedly faced fingerprint scanner failures, leading some to seek medical certificates when biometric capture doesn’t work. Commemoration in Ashgabat: A memorial ceremony marked the 85th anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War at a Russian embassy memorial site.