The European Union and Turkmenistan held their 22nd Joint Committee on 19 December, in Brussels.

In a comprehensive and constructive meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress made in the relations between the EU and Turkmenistan since the last meeting in 2022, in particular in the areas of trade, energy and development cooperation.

Both sides confirmed and welcomed the intensified high-level engagements and the endorsement of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia in October 2023. The EU underscored its regional approach to connectivity that encompasses all five Central Asian countries. It recalled ongoing work towards increasing operation efficiency and economic attractiveness of the Trans-Caspian transport network, on the basis of the EU’s study on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia. In this respect, Turkmenistan confirmed its participation at high level to the Global Gateway Investors Forum on Sustainable Transport Connectivity between Europe and Central Asia, that will be held on 29-30 January 2024 in Brussels.

The two sides discussed the macroeconomic situation in the EU and Turkmenistan. The EU highlighted the potential for enhancing bilateral trade ties and underlined the need to improve the investment climate and increase cooperation in support of the green transition, including hydrogen power and renewable energy. Furthermore, the EU reiterated the importance of Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the support that the EU is providing through ongoing and upcoming programmes implemented by the International Trade Centre.

Moreover, the two sides discussed cooperation in the field of energy, climate change and environment, noting that that Central Asian countries are among the most vulnerable countries to climate change and biodiversity loss. The EU congratulated Turkmenistan for recently joining the Global Methane Pledge at COP28 and looked forward to cooperation on its implementation. The EU and Turkmenistan took stock of ongoing regional and bilateral cooperation programmes, including the two Team Europe Initiatives for Central Asia. In addition, both sides discussed cooperation in the field of research and education, with the EU encouraging Turkmenistan to enhance its participation in the international dimension of Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.

Recalling the broader geopolitical context, the EU condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and invited Turkmenistan to pursue a principled position supporting international law and the principles of the UN Charter. In this regard, the EU recalled concerns about sanction circumvention through the territories of third countries and encouraged Turkmenistan to cooperate with the EU.

The EU recalled that significant progress in the field of human rights, rule of law and democratisation remains a prerequisite for enhancing bilateral relations, including for the ratification of the EU-Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement by the European Parliament.

The EU delegation was led by Luc Devigne, Deputy Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia of the European External Action Service. The Turkmen delegation was led by Serdar Joraev, Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan.