MEETING OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF TURKMENISTAN WITH THE EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR CENTRAL ASIA

On May 6, 2022, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Special Representative of the European Union for Central Asia, Ms. Terhi Hakala, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues related to the further development of cooperation between Ashgabat and Brussels in bilateral and multilateral formats.

The high level of partnership and the existing good prospects for the development of cooperation with the European Union in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic and humanitarian spheres were emphasized.

The parties agreed to continue active contacts this year, in particular, within the framework of such formats as the High-Level Political and Security Dialogue of the EU and the countries of Central Asia on May 17 in Brussels, the 18th Ministerial Meeting "European Union - Central Asia" in November in the European capital, the Joint Bilateral Committee in Ashgabat in October, the Human Rights Dialogue "Turkmenistan - EU" in July of this year in Brussels, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue in November-December in the Turkmen capital.

Separate topics of discussion were the prospects for cooperation in the energy and transport sectors, where the parties noted the existing great potential opportunities.

One of the main issues discussed during the meeting was cooperation in the fight against climate change, in the field of environmental protection and ensuring environmental safety.

The parties agreed on the need to promote cooperation in this direction through specific programs and projects in the areas of biodiversity conservation, water resources and the protection of fragile ecosystems.

An agreement was reached on the preparation of a "Road Map" of joint actions within the framework of bilateral and interregional agendas following the visit of T.Hakala to Turkmenistan.