The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, met with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in Brussels, Orient.tm reports.
"The parties discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Special attention was paid to strengthening the ties between the EU and Central Asia. Among the promising areas, the spheres of energy, transportation, digitalization, education, and climate were highlighted," the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan said in a statement.
The importance of existing mechanisms of bilateral cooperation, such as the EU-Turkmenistan Joint Committee, the Human Rights Dialogue, and inter-parliamentary dialogue, was emphasized.
A comprehensive exchange of views took place on aspects of regional security. In this regard, Rashid Meredov emphasized the efforts and initiatives of the Turkmenistan government, undertaken based on the principles of the status of permanent neutrality.
The parties also discussed the organization of the next meeting of foreign ministers in the EU-CA format, which will take place in Turkmenistan this year.
Meredov also held talks with the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog. The importance of such bilateral cooperation mechanisms as the Turkmenistan-EU Joint Committee and the Human Rights Dialogue, held alternately in Turkmenistan and Belgium, was noted.
The Minister provided information about the activities and tasks of the Interdepartmental Commission for Ensuring the Implementation of Turkmenistan's International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Obligations, the Turkmenistan MFA press service reported.
Meetings were also held with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for the Economy, EU Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation Jutta Urpilainen, and Chair of the European Parliament delegations for Central Asia and Mongolia Tomas Zdechovsky.
The parties discussed cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union in such areas as the economy, trade, and humanitarian interaction, as well as current projects implemented in Turkmenistan with the support of the EU and cooperation within various programs - from education and science to initiatives in the field of green economy and climate.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
March 20, 2024