WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE "STRUCTURAL DIALOGUE" THE TALKS HELD BETWEEN THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN AND GREAT BRITAIN

On February 25, 2022, within the framework of the “Structural Dialogue” between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Great Britain the meeting was held in the format of videoconferencing between the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Minister for South and Central Asia, the UN and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of Great Britain Lord Tariq Ahmad.

During the interactive dialogue, the Ministers discussed the current situation and prospects for bilateral Turkmen-British cooperation. There was also an exchange of views on topical issues of the regional and international agenda.

The need for further intensification of partnership within the framework of authoritative international structures, in particular the UN, OSCE, EU, and others was expressed.

The diplomats also stressed the importance of a significant event on the bilateral agenda - the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It was said that over the past years, Turkmenistan and the UK have jointly achieved high results in cooperation in various areas, strengthened trust and mutual understanding.

Rashid Meredov and Lord Tarik Ahmad, among other things, spoke in favor of further building up the potential of inter-MFA contacts and dialogue between the profile structures of the two countries. It was emphasized that such an approach would serve to strengthen the political, diplomatic, economic and social relations between Turkmenistan and the UK.

Touching upon the topic of regional stability and security, the parties focused on the need to consolidate the efforts of the parties aimed at ensuring prosperity, stable development on Afghan soil and the possibility of integrating Afghanistan into large-scale economic, energy, transport and communication projects of regional importance.

An agreement was reached on the further intensification of bilateral cooperation in the field of the human dimension, healthcare, education and science, high technologies and innovative solutions.

At the end of the “Structural Dialogue”, the ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Great Britain.