On May 14, 2024, in Ashgabat, the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, organised a joint conference titled “30 Years of Cooperation between the European Union and Turkmenistan: working together for a better future” to mark Europe Day and three decades of partnership. The conference brought together high-level representatives from Turkmenistan and the European Union institutions and Headquarters, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Turkmen government officials, and representatives of EU-funded regional and national projects.
The event commenced with a panel discussion titled “The EU and Turkmenistan – cooperation now and in the future,” featuring the participation of Mr Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and Ms Terhi Hakala, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia. The discussion was moderated by HE Ms. Beata Pęksa, Ambassador of the European Union to Turkmenistan. The speakers delved into the current state of cooperation between the EU and Turkmenistan, thoroughly exploring avenues for further collaboration. They shared insights about existing global challenges and opportunities, emphasising the importance of fostering stronger ties and leveraging resources for the collective prosperity of both regions.
As a result of the conference, the Turkmenistan Cooperation Facility was launched, heralding new initiatives: “Turkmenistan: enhancing trade resilience and integration,” implemented by the International Trade Centre, and the “EU for a green Turkmenistan: policy Dialogue and Climate Action 2024 – 2027,” implemented by the German International Cooperation (GIZ).
A significant moment followed with the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan, the State Concern “Turkmengas,” and the GIZ. Subsequent sessions highlighted successful partnerships in education, trade, security, and the green economy, demonstrating tangible outcomes and the transformative impact of joint endeavours.
