A TRAINING SEMINAR ON "THE EUROPEAN UNION - CENTRAL ASIA" WAS HELD IN ASTANA
Turkmenistan's cooperation with the European Union based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit is developing. This forms the foundation of a long-term relationship. In this regard, the multifaceted nature of bilateral cooperation is noteworthy. Our country successfully cooperates with the EU in political, diplomatic, trade, economic, and cultural spheres. Effective ties are maintained with the EU in the implementation of programs and projects aimed at the country's socioeconomic development. Priority areas of cooperation include combating climate change, activating transit and transport corridors, energy, science and education, regional security, and the rational use of water resources. Situated at the crossroads of trade routes connecting Asia and Europe, the countries of Central Asia in recent years, have created new opportunities for investment and the expansion of foreign economic ties. This contributes to the region's active integration into the global economic system and its transformation into a significant part of the global economy.
In April 2025, our Esteemed President participated in the first Central Asia-European Union summit, held in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In his speech at the summit, the Esteemed President expressed his understanding of the need to deepen cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union, bring them closer together, and create strong mechanisms for interaction. He also expressed confidence that the discussions would be an important step in strengthening relations, achieving mutual understanding, and reaching concrete agreements. The intensification of interregional dialogue, the annual increase in the number of joint projects, and the parties' commitment to expanding bilateral ties open up broad opportunities for developing cooperation. The Central Asia-European Union summit has demonstrated its effectiveness, contributing to the development of the region and strengthening relations with the European Union. The summit's agenda, aimed at fostering multilateral cooperation between the Central Asian states and the EU, included discussions on strengthening trade, economic, and investment relations, promoting green energy and the green economy, improving transport and digital communications, and expanding cultural and humanitarian ties. The EU-Central Asia partnership also focuses on education, legislation, transport, energy, water resources and the environment (including climate change), border management, and the fight against drugs and extremism. Trade and economic relations are key areas of cooperation. Regular consultations between the EU and the Central Asian countries allow for the identification of other areas of common interest. It is important that many of these issues be addressed from a human potential perspective in developing regional relations.
The Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan held a political training seminar on "European Union - Central Asia" from November 4 to 6, 2025. The international training seminar brought together diplomats and international relations experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The main objective of the seminar was to discuss and develop EU cooperation with the Central Asian states, providing a comprehensive overview of security, economic cooperation, and related issues. During the seminar, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, participants were given detailed information on the economic development of Central Asian countries, the development of cooperation in clean energy, the digital economy, environmental protection, science and education, and other areas. Participants were also provided with information on the political system of the European Union, the role of the European External Action Service, the external relations of the European Union in the new geopolitical era (an overview of priorities, policy directions, and mechanisms), the Common Foreign and Security Policy, energy and trade policy, and relations between the European Union and Central Asia.
The European Union-Central Asia partnership format is one of the key instruments for expanding these relations. Within its framework, programs and projects aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties, cooperation in transport, digitalization, the environment, and energy, as well as cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including education and healthcare, are being successfully implemented. It also provides for the development of interregional political dialogue and cooperation, expansion of trade and economic ties, resolution of energy issues, a neutral economy in the fight against climate change, and general security issues.
Merjen GURBANNAZAROVA,
Senior Lecturer, Department of International Law and Comparative
Law Studies of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.