The European Union Delegation to Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan last week held a joint press briefing to review the results of EU-Turkmenistan cooperation in 2025 and to outline strategic priorities for 2026.
EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Beata Peksa, underlined that 2025 delivered tangible results across priority sectors including connectivity, green transition, trade, education, health, environment, and cultural exchange.
She highlighted the strengthened political dialogue marked by high-level visits, including visits of HR/VP Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Josef Síkela, the participation of Turkmenistan in the first EU–Central Asia Summit, and the 20th EU–Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, which was organised in Ashgabat. She also recalled the successful holding of the 17th EU–Turkmenistan Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels, confirming the EU’s continued commitment to constructive engagement on human rights, gender equality, labour rights, and the rule of law.
On connectivity, Ambassador Peksa underlined the EU support for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, and preparations for the upcoming EU–Turkmenistan Business Forum. In green transition and climate action, she noted progress under the “EU for a Green Turkmenistan” project, methane emission reduction, renewable energy education partnerships, and regional cooperation under the Team Europe Water-Energy-Climate initiative. She also highlighted growing collaboration on critical raw materials through Turkmenistan’s endorsement of the EU–Central Asia CRM Declaration and engagement with the Global Gateway. Key results were reported in trade, economic cooperation, education, health, labour rights, border management, drug prevention, circular economy, civil society support, biodiversity protection, and cultural heritage preservation, alongside extensive public diplomacy.
Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister, Myahri Byashimova welcomed the EU’s continued engagement and highlighted the impact of EU-funded initiatives on Turkmenistan’s socio-economic development. She also highlighted progress in transport connectivity, green energy, and trade facilitation, and reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral and regional cooperation with the EU, including through inter-parliamentary dialogue and people-to-people contacts.
Both sides outlined an ambitious agenda for 2026. Key priorities include:
High-level visits and intensified political dialogue, including planned inter-parliamentary meetings, EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting and the next EU–Turkmenistan Human Rights Dialogue to be hosted in Ashgabat and Joint Committee in Brussels;
The first EU–Turkmenistan Business Forum, to be held in March 2026, strengthening economic ties and private-sector cooperation;
Continued implementation of Global Gateway initiatives in connectivity, energy, digitalisation, and critical raw materials;
New phases of regional programs on border management, drug action, gender equality, and women’s empowerment;
Expanded cooperation in education, research, and innovation, including opportunities under Horizon Europe and future re-engagement with Erasmus+ once outstanding issues are resolved;
Ongoing cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, media literacy, and environmental awareness activities.
