CARICC Director Colonel Makhmud Khamidov met with Ms. Myakhri Byashimova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, on 6 November 2025 during his visit to Ashgabat.

During the meeting CARICC Director thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for supporting CARICC in implementing its mandate, including through training activities involving Turkmen specialists.

Mr. Khamidov presented proposals aimed at improving the Centre's activities, launching new areas of work, including countering cyber threats and the spread of synthetic drugs, and modernizing information and analytical resources. Particular attention was paid to initiatives related to strengthening the Centre's financial sustainability and expanding international partnerships. At the same time, he called on leadership of competent authorities of Turkmenistan to support the Centre's initiative to introduce a mechanism of equal contributions by the parties to CARICC's budget, approval and adoption of the Budget Rules at a planned meeting of the Council of National Coordinators of CARICC Member States in Samarkand on 5 December this year.

Ms. Myakhri Bashiova showed support for CARICC's initiatives to enhance regional cooperation mechanisms in combating drug trafficking and assured that proposals to ensure CARICC's financial sustainability would be immediately studied by Turkmenistan.

During the meeting parties discussed other promising areas for expanding cooperation.

Turkmenistan confirmed readiness to support CARICC initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation in countering drug trafficking.

The meeting took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere with a high level of trust and commitment on both sides to deepening practical cooperation in the field of counter-narcotics.