European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Makes First Visit to Turkmenistan
The European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, made a swift and impactful visit to Turkmenistan from 4-6 March. Just three days into his new role, Mr. Stiprais arrived in Ashgabat to emphasize the EU’s commitment to engaging with Turkmenistan and Central Asia.
During his visit, Mr. Stiprais held important meetings with key officials to discuss EU-Turkmenistan cooperation, regional stability, and multilateral engagement. He met with DPM/FM Rashid Meredov to discuss the current state and future prospects of EU-Turkmenistan relations, focusing on economic ties, security, and regional cooperation. In a meeting with D. Gulmanova, Chairperson of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, they talked about inter-parliamentary cooperation and legislative initiatives of mutual interest.
Furthermore, the EUSR met with UN Resident Coordinator Dmitry Shlapachenko to discuss UN-EU cooperation in Turkmenistan and sustainable development efforts. A meeting with Ambassador John S. MacGregor of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat addressed regional security challenges and opportunities for collaboration between the EU and OSCE in Central Asia. Discussions with Mr. Kakha Imnadze, Head of UNRCCA, focused on multilateral approaches to conflict prevention and the role of regional organizations in maintaining stability.
Mr. Stiprais also engaged with EU Heads of Mission and Central Asian ambassadors to strengthen diplomatic dialogue on regional priorities. The visit highlighted the EU’s dedication to enhancing engagement with Turkmenistan and the broader Central Asian region, with a focus on regional cooperation, economic development, and security dialogue.
The visit of Ambassador Eduards Stiprais underscored the importance of EU-Turkmenistan relations and set a positive tone for future collaboration in the region.
Photo: Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan
