Minister of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan delivered a speech at Central Asia – EU meeting
On October 23, 2023, in Luxembourg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov took part in the 19th ministerial meeting “Central Asia – European Union”. In his statement, he highlighted the main areas of cooperation with the EU and priorities in interaction, which are aimed at the long term.
First, the importance of maintaining international peace and security is emphasized. In this context, the head of Foreign ministry especially drew attention to the initiative to develop a Global Security Strategy put forward by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The Turkmen diplomat informed about the main directions of this Strategy, focused on preventive diplomacy, using neutrality for peaceful solutions and restoring trust and dialogue.
Second, issues of economic cooperation with the EU are highlighted. In this regard, the minister emphasized the importance of interregional trade, economic and financial partnership. He noted the EU’s support in strengthening transit links and developing the private sector in Central Asia. The Foreign minister also touched upon the issue of Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the need for further interaction with European partners in this direction.
Third, noting the important role of creating new transport links connecting Central Asia and Europe, R.Meredov highlighted multilateral efforts to develop the Caspian Sea-Black Sea route. A proposal was put forward to hold a high-level meeting in Turkmenistan in 2024 to further strengthen transport connectivity.
Fourth, speaking about cooperation in the energy sector, the Turkmen diplomat indicated that the transportation of energy resources is of crucial importance for Turkmenistan. Particular emphasis was placed on expanding gas exports to Europe through the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline and promoting international cooperation in the clean and renewable energy sectors. In this context, the head of the Foreign ministry called for support for two UN General Assembly resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan on sustainable transport and on the mobility of energy resources.
Fifth, the minister reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to environmental protection and mitigation of climate change. He spoke about national programs such as the “Green Belt” and voiced the head of state’s proposal to create a Regional Center for Climate Technologies in Ashgabat to solve the problem of climate change.
Sixth, again noting the importance of education as the basis of the country’s socio-economic development, R.Meredov highly appreciated the EU Erasmus + program and proposed strengthening ties between Turkmen and European educational institutions.
In conclusion, the Minister emphasized the huge potential for interaction in various sectors, including healthcare and the digital economy.
As a result of the ministerial meeting in Luxembourg, the Joint Roadmap for deepening ties between the EU and Central Asia, as well as the Joint Communiqué of the 19th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, were adopted.
The participating countries of the format supported the holding of the next anniversary ministerial meeting “Central Asia – EU” in 2024 in Turkmenistan. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 24 Oct
Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan and Romania
On October 23, 2023, in the framework of participation in the 19th ministerial meeting “Central Asia – European Union”, bilateral negotiations were held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Luminita Odobescu.
At the beginning of the conversation, L.Odobescu emphasized the role of Central Asia as a key partner of Romania. It was noted that the country acts as a link that strengthens cooperation between the Central Asian region and the EU. Turkmenistan was named one of Romania’s priority partners in the region.
Considering the political and diplomatic aspects of interaction, R.Meredov drew attention to the history of bilateral relations. The importance of the first visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Romania in 2008 was emphasized, which laid the foundation for further cooperation.
The parties recognized the importance of mutual support in the international space. In particular, the Turkmen side expressed gratitude to Romania for its support in the adoption of resolutions of the UN General Assembly initiated by Turkmenistan.
In the field of trade and economic cooperation, the main attention was paid to the potential of joint projects, including the fields of transport and energy. In this context, the parties especially noted cooperation within the framework of the Working Group on Energy. The importance of the Caspian Sea – Black Sea transport corridor was emphasized.
The parties confirmed their interest in continuing cooperation in the field of digitalization.
During the conversation, issues of humanitarian cooperation were discussed. Particular attention is paid to issues of interaction in the field of education, as well as exchange programs in this direction. Currently, about 300 Turkmen students are studying in Romania. The commitment to partnership in this direction was reinforced by the Cooperation Program signed in 2023 between the ministries of education of both countries. In addition, the Turkmen side confirmed the importance of short-term diplomatic training for young diplomats at the Nicolae Titulescu University.
Concluding the meeting, the ministers signed an Action Plan for 2024-2025 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. This document is an expression of common aspirations to further strengthen interaction between the foreign ministries of the two countries. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 24 Oct
About the meeting of heads of foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Austria
On October 23, 2023, on the sidelines of the Central Asia-EU ministerial meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with the Federal Minister of European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.
During the negotiations, the parties discussed the state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations. Emphasizing the dynamic nature of relations between the two countries, the importance of interaction at international platforms, in particular at the UN, was noted. In this context, R.Meredov expressed gratitude to the Austrian side for supporting the neutrality status of Turkmenistan.
Attention was also paid to UN resolutions initiated by Turkmenistan over the past 16 years. These resolutions focus on issues of sustainable transport, the role of energy, ecology, global and regional security. At the same time, A.Schallenberg noted the importance of Turkmenistan’s active diplomatic position and peace-loving initiatives.
An important topic of the meeting was the role of Central Asia in the OSCE, in connection with which Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness to actively cooperate and support the activities of the organization.
During the conversation, R.Meredov presented the key initiatives of Turkmenistan put forward at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, highlighting the Global Security Strategy and its principles.
Considering the ways of trade and economic relations, the visit of the Austrian business delegation to Turkmenistan in December 2023 was discussed.
The discussion of regional security particularly focused on cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. In the framework of the exchange of views on the implementation of humanitarian and economic projects, the parties expressed a common interest in the stabilization and prosperity of a peaceful Afghanistan. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 24 Oct
Meeting with minister of foreign affairs of Cyprus
On October 23, 2023, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting “Central Asia – European Union,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos.
During the discussions, the ministers emphasized the relevance of developing political and diplomatic interaction. In particular, the expediency of parallel accreditation of ambassadors in both countries was noted. In addition, the heads of foreign ministries discussed issues of cooperation on the platforms of international organizations as a tool for strengthening interstate relations.
The need to create an appropriate legal framework was emphasized. In this context, the parties expressed mutual interest in developing a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Cyprus.
The ministers also noted the potential for the development of trade and economic interaction. In this regard, it was proposed to hold consultations on the exchange of business delegations and the identification of specific areas of trade and economic cooperation. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 24 Oct
Meeting of minister of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan with EU commissioner for international partnership
As part of the ministerial meeting Central Asia-EU, held in Luxembourg on October 23, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov held bilateral negotiations with the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen.
The main focus was on regional initiatives of the Team Europe program. These discussions created the basis for an in-depth dialogue on the possibility of cooperation in the fields of energy and transport. Turkmenistan’s progress in the process of joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) was also presented. The head of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan noted that the Turkmen side highly appreciates the EU’s support in this direction.
J.Urpilainen emphasized the readiness to provide technical assistance, taking into account Turkmenistan’s desire for WTO membership and the reforms being carried out in this regard.
The main discussion during the meeting concerned the energy sector, in particular hydrogen energy, reducing methane emissions and converting natural gas. The Foreign Minister gave examples of joint projects between Turkmenistan and «GIZ» in the field of hydrogen and methane research.
The parties emphasized the need for a systematic approach to energy projects and emphasized the importance of jointly developing an Action Plan for cooperation in this area.
R.Meredov also informed the European Commissioner about the development of a Road Map for 2023-2024, aimed at developing international cooperation and studying the issue of Turkmenistan joining the Global Methane Commitment.
J.Urpilainen noted that the European Union is considering the possibility of concluding an agreement with the GIZ project in the field of green energy, which is aimed at developing initiatives in this area.
To coordinate the activities and initiatives of the Team Europe project, the European Union invited Turkmenistan to actively engage with the EU within the framework of the new specialized mechanism.
Opportunities for cooperation in the field of digital communications and water management were also discussed, given the relevance of the latter issue for the region. The EU Commissioner highly appreciated the effectiveness of the Team Europe program in the field of digital integration and confirmed the readiness to intensify cooperation with Turkmenistan in this direction.
During the meeting, J.Urpilainen conveyed an invitation to the Turkmen delegation to the Investor Forum, which will be held in Brussels in January 2024. /// MFA Turkmenistan, 24 Oct 2023
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