VISIT OF THE EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CENTRAL ASIA TO TURKMENISTAN

Today, on the 16th of June, the meeting of the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, who has arrived in Ashgabat the day before was held in the MFA of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the parties positively characterized the cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union. The intensification of political and diplomatic collaboration, which strengthens through the effective dialogue, including that in the framework of the “EU-Turkmenistan” Joint Committee was emphasized. The importance of regular high-level political consultations in the “Central Asia - European Union” format was underlined. An exchange of views took place in regard to the EU Strategy for Central Asia. In this respect, the Turkmen side has proposed to enrich the given process by concrete plans and programmes aimed at the attainment of practical results.

The parties noted the importance of projects of trade-economic and humanitarian scope implemented in Turkmenistan in cooperation with the EU. The special relevance of the projects in the area of a green and sustainable economy, rural development, assistance to the private sector, and support of the efforts of the country on the entry into the World Trade Organization was underlined. Also, the significance of regional projects, including BOMCA and CADAP was emphasized.

The current condition of economic, energy, and transport cooperation was considered. The interest of the Turkmen side in the further holding of the Economic Forums “European Union - Central Asia” was expressed. The commitment of both sides to the advancement of the process on the supply of Turkmen energy resources to the European markets was voiced. The parties also discussed the opportunities of expanding cooperation in the area of introducing alternative energy.

The diplomats considered the prospects of widening cooperation in the field of sustainable transport and ecology, including via the United Nations platform. It was stated that Turkmenistan welcomes the assistance of the European side in the implementation of regional transport and energy projects along the “East-West” route, including the “Caspian Sea – Black Sea”, “Lapis-Lazuli” corridor, etc.

The parties underlined the importance of humanitarian cooperation, including through the regular Human Rights Dialogue “Turkmenistan - European Union”. The interest of both sides in the continuation of projects on vocational training was expressed.

The Turkmen side has expressed gratitude to the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian for his personal input into the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.