The Chairman of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan, Toyly Malykov, has met the EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Luke Devine, to discuss deeper bilateral cooperation, reported Trend, citing the EU Delegation.
The two sides discussed trade, energy, transport connectivity, climate and sustainable development. Cooperation runs through the EU–Turkmenistan Joint Committee and regular high-level contacts. The EU supports Turkmenistan’s economic diversification and its integration into regional and international markets through technical assistance and investment promotion.
Trade between the EU and Turkmenistan reached €1.3 billion in 2025. EU exports to Turkmenistan accounted for €900 million and imports from Turkmenistan for €400 million. Devine presented these figures at the Turkmenistan Investment Forum on October 1.
Turkmenistan holds some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, and Brussels has long been interested in a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline that would bring Turkmen gas to Europe through Azerbaijan without crossing Russia. A meeting with the head of the central bank suggests the dialogue is also moving into finance, where Ashgabat’s tightly controlled currency regime and limited banking links remain obstacles for European investors. Last week Turkmenistan signed 15 memoranda with foreign companies, including several European firms, at the CIET-2026 exhibition in Ashgabat.
CentralasianLIGHT.org,
November 9, 2026