Turkmenistan Country Report

The Republic of Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country characterized by its large Karakum Desert territory and small population. Situated at the crossroads of the continent and with western access to the vast Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan has long been a center for long-distance trade between the Islamic World, Europe and East Asia. As a former constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the country is home to a developing economy fueled by the exploitation of its vast natural gas reserves.

Turkmenistan is governed by one of the world's most repressive political regimes; however, it is considered to be politically stable. Unemployment and poverty rates are typically very high, particularly in rural areas, although unrest is rare due to tight government control. Turkmenistan has no recent history of internal violence and terrorist activity; however, the existence of regional terror groups, including al-Qaeda, poses a potential threat to travelers. Petty crime is a commonly reported concern for international travelers in Turkmenistan, and drug trafficking by transnational drug syndicates is a serious problem in border areas.

Poor infrastructure and erratic driving habits hamper overland travel in Turkmenistan. There are also a number of restricted areas and territories that can only be visited with special permission from the government, whilst any travel outside of Ashgabat generally requires a separate visa with special dispensation. Most local airlines do not meet international safety standards, and medical care is extremely limited outside of Ashgabat.

Turkmenistan's security profile is characterized by a high level of state control, which limits the prevalence of risks associated with crime, unrest and internal conflict. Nonetheless, incidents of pickpocketing and theft are commonly reported and occur throughout the country, especially in markets and on trains. Crime levels are generally higher at night and bandits are known to operate in rural areas in the southeast of the country. Although the Turkmenistan/Afghanistan border has seen fatal clashes between militants/criminal groups and security forces, Turkmenistan itself faces only a limited inter-state conflict risk.

There are concerns over internal air travel as it is unclear if maintenance procedures are always properly observed.

Road conditions and driving standards are poor. Roads can be particularly hazardous in spring and winter when avalanches and landslides occur.

The ports are considered efficient.

Turkmenistan has some of the most expensive internet access in the world, and broadband access is limited. Power cuts are frequently reported in rural areas.

Cyber attacks are rare due to limited access on the whole to the internet.

Turkmenistan sees extreme fluctuations in temperatures. Nearly 80 per cent of the country is taken up by the Kara-Kum (Black Sand) Desert. Dust storms can pose a threat to health and hinder visibility. Heavy rains may trigger floods and landslides in the spring and summer. The country is located in an active seismic zone.

Medical facilities are limited, with medicines and equipment often in short supply. Treatment may be unreliable or hazardous due to poorly trained staff. Doctors and hospitals often require payment in cash prior to providing services, including for emergency care. Typhoid and hepatitis A are serious problems.

Turkmenistan is a unitary multi-party presidential republic. The President is both head of state and head of government. Technically, the President and the Cabinet of Ministers form the government and exercise executive power, while the Assembly exercises legislative power; however, in practice, the President's family overwhelmingly controls executive and legislative powers. Current President Serdar Berdimuhamedov appointed his father, former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of the Supreme Constitutional Authority and "National Leader", granting him the authority to override most laws. Presidential and parliamentary elections take place once every five years, but their results only serve to rubber stamp the Berdimuhamedov family's dominance. The Berdimuhamedovs have ruled the country since 2006, while the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan has been dominant since 1991. The judiciary is nominally independent of the executive and the legislature but is widely regarded as corrupt and under the control of the President and his family.

Coalitions featuring a cross-section of political parties are not required to form the government. Government collapses are uncommon. State institutions are unreliable and ineffective.