Turkmenistan and the European Union discuss expanding practical cooperation in transport, trade, energy, education and climate policy, while exploring stronger connectivity and economic diversification through the Global Gateway framework.
The Turkmen side and the European Union have been working towards deepening their bilateral relations by exploring possibilities for extending practical cooperation in different fields. The meetings aim at enhancing economic cooperation, transportation links and other aspects of cooperation between the two parties.
These discussions occur in the course of talks held by the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan Luc Pierre Devigne on September 9. The official website of the Turkmenistan Foreign Ministry reports that the two discussed a wide spectrum of questions and underlined the necessity of constructive contacts between the two sides.
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The main emphasis is on the promotion of practical cooperation and establishing connections in those spheres that represent mutual interests for Turkmenistan and the EU. The parties reconfirm their willingness to maintain constructive dialogue and make joint efforts to strengthen the relations between them.
Both trade and economic cooperation continue to be significant parts of their relationship. At present, there is an Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related Issues between Turkmenistan and the EU that was signed in 2010. In addition, a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was also signed in 1998 between both parties, but is yet to be ratified by the European Parliament.
In recent years, the partnership has come to encompass aspects such as transport connectivity, trade facilitation, energy, education, climate policy, and economic diversification. EU’s engagement with Turkmenistan takes place under its strategy for Central Asia and the Global Gateway project. In accordance with its program from 2021 to 2027, the EU provides €18 million for cooperation with Turkmenistan.
The transport sector becomes a crucial area for collaboration between both parties. The EU considers Turkmenistan a vital member of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor that links Europe and Central Asia. This corridor is included in the framework of the Global Gateway initiative of the EU, which seeks to improve sustainable connectivity around the world.
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The Commissioner for International Partnerships at the EU, Jozef Síkela, also supports Europe's backing for the development of the Trans-Caspian route by visiting Ashgabat in March 2025. This is an opportunity that can be used to enhance trade routes and boost the status of Turkmenistan in transport networks.
The recent conference underlines the increasing significance of relations between Turkmenistan and the EU as both sides look towards converting political talks into practical cooperation.