MEETING WITH THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD COUNCIL
A meeting was held on December 15, 2025, at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan between Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, Managing Director of the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), and Gulshat Yusupova, Rector of the Institute, Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Belgium, also participated in the meeting.
The main objective of the meeting was for the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), a leading think tank on Central Asia in Europe, to study the progress of Turkmenistan’s international policy on energy, transport, and security issues, as well as potential cooperation opportunities for the European Union. Furthermore, the goal was to establish cooperation through scientific research and analytical exchange between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the ENC.
During the discussion, the parties deliberated on critical areas such as energy, scientific and educational cooperation, and regional security and peace. Regarding energy, issues such as the possibilities of transporting Turkmen gas to European markets, the future of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, and exploring Turkmenistan's “green” energy potential were raised.
In the sphere of science and educational cooperation, joint opportunities, including the participation of experts in political-analytical work within the EU and the organization of short-term study and internship programs were discussed.
Samuel Doveri Vesterbye oversees ENC research projects across the neighbourhood and Central Asia, including the work of the Academic Council Members. His research focuses primarily on the relations between the EU and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and the EU and the Republic of Türkiýe, including trade, energy, migration, and neighbourhood policy. He is also the author of numerous research studies, including the book “Managing Security Threats along the EU’s Eastern Flanks” published by Palgrave Macmillan.
It was emphasized that cooperation with the EU is consistently advanced within the framework of existing projects and programs, particularly the Joint “European Union — Turkmenistan” Committee, inter-parliamentary dialogue, human rights dialogue, and consultations between foreign policy agencies. Views on the achievements and future cooperation prospects were exchanged during the meeting.
Shyhdurdy SHYHYEV,
the 3rd year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.