Caspian Security: Turkmenistan again urged restraint after attacks in the Caspian Sea, calling the strikes “unacceptable” and describing the waterway as a “sea of peace,” as Ukraine-Iran tensions spill into the region’s trade routes. EBRD Partnership: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met EBRD chief Odile Renaud-Basso, signaling expanded cooperation in energy, transport, the digital economy and environmental projects, with a broader package of documents also reported. Turkmen-Turkish Diplomacy: Political consultations in Ankara reviewed legal, consular and inter-parliamentary cooperation, with both sides stressing high-level visits as a driver for wider ties. Middle Corridor Logistics: Turkmenistan’s customs modernization at the Sarahs Awtoyollary checkpoint supports multimodal links to Iran and onward routes, while Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan began using eTIR for paperless transit. Digital Economy: A Turkmenistan law on virtual assets (in force since Jan 1, 2026) sets rules for blockchain-related activity beyond cryptocurrencies. Local Economy Pressure: Critics say Turkmenistan’s official exchange rate—far below the black market—keeps “artificial stability” that effectively squeezes ordinary people.