A formal welcome ceremony was held in Baku on June 22 for Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in Azerbaijan on a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

The ceremony took place in a square decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, where a guard of honor was lined up to greet the visiting head of state, The Caspian Post reports via Azertac.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev personally welcomed Berdimuhamedov upon arrival. A formal report was presented by the chief of the honor guard before the playing of the national anthems of both countries.

Following the ceremonial protocol, the honor guard marched past the two leaders in a military parade-style display, underscoring the official nature of the visit.

Delegation introductions followed, with Azerbaijani officials being presented to the Turkmen president and members of the Turkmen delegation introduced to the Azerbaijani president. The ceremony concluded with the two leaders posing for official photographs.