Discussion between Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister and EU’s Commissioner for International Partnerships
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, recently held talks with the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Josef Sikela, during the latter’s visit to Turkmenistan on March 12, 2025.
During the meeting, a wide range of cooperation issues between Turkmenistan and the European Union was discussed, covering political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural, and humanitarian aspects. The upcoming high-level contacts, including the first summit in the “Central Asia-EU” format and the Ministerial meeting “Central Asia – EU” in Ashgabat, were highlighted as vital for the continued development of partnership.
The discussions also focused on expanding the legal framework for cooperation and the effectiveness of existing joint mechanisms such as the Joint Committee “Turkmenistan-EU”, Inter-parliamentary Dialogue, and Human Rights Dialogue. Special attention was given to practical socio-economic cooperation, including trade relations, transport connectivity, energy security, innovation, and investment activities, with both sides exchanging views on the implementation of the EU “Global Gateway” initiative.
Furthermore, the diplomats examined existing and potential specialized projects and programs, as well as the involvement of EU expertise in Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization. Environmental safety, methane emissions reduction, renewable energy sources, and cooperation in education and science were also topics of discussion.
Overall, the talks between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships underscored the commitment of both parties to strengthening their cooperation in various key areas for mutual benefit and development.
