The ceremony is dated Friday on the presidential site. Serdar Berdymukhamedov took the credentials of Sener Cebeci, Ankara's new ambassador, and the readout uses the full formula: "close fraternal relations of a long-term, strategic nature."
Bishkek is the nearer test.
The named lanes are trade, the economy, culture and international organizations. The calendar behind them is the point: Ashgabat is building toward its October week, when Avaza hosts a Caspian environment meeting, a Central Asia-Azerbaijan summit and the CIS heads across 3 days, 7 to 9 October.
Bishkek is the nearer test. A 20 August preview by 24.kg counted Berdymukhamedov among the season's expected guests; Interfax's 29 August roster of 17 leaders for the SCO council does not include him. Which list survives contact with the tarmac is Tuesday's question.