President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov received an EU delegation led by Director of the Division for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the MFA of the Republic of Slovenia Darya Bavdaz Kuret. The delegation included European Union Special Representative Pierre Morel and a representative of the European Commission Gunnar Vigand.

Thanking the Turkmen leader for the opportunity of a personal meeting the guests noted that they were glad to visit the hospitable Turkmen land and see the grandiose reforms implemented in Turkmenistan. Ms. Darya Bavdaz Kuret noted the European community welcomed the progressive initiatives of the Turkmen leader, whose policy had won Turkmenistan the high authority worldwide.

Greeting the guests Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized that consistently implementing the open door policy Turkmenistan stood steadfast to the strategy of mutually advantageous co-operation with the countries worldwide, the European countries as well, with which it had established the long-term and reliable relations.

Ms. Darya Bavdaz Kuret said that the European Union was interested in enhancing the relations and establishing full-scale co-operation with Turkmenistan noting that an important factor of that interest was the country’s unique resource and economic potential and its course towards establishing the climate of confidence and mutual understanding.

Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized that Europe was a priority of Turkmenistan’s foreign economic policy based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Expressing the readiness to continue the constructive dialogue the Turkmen leader noted that concerting the efforts and opportunities met the interests of both partners.

The interlocutors exchanged views on the current condition, future trends and priorities of partnership within the framework of the agreements reached during the President’s of Turkmenistan visit to the EU headquarters in Brussels.

The interlocutors discussed the aspects of collaboration within the framework of the co-operation strategy between the EU member states and Central Asian countries, and Turkmenistan in particular, adopted in 2007. The Turkmen leader informed that Turkmenistan would appoint the special coordinator responsible for implementing the strategy.

Approving the proposal to draft the memorandum of understanding expanding Turkmenistan-EU co-operation in the energy sector Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan was ready to place its abundant energy resources at the service of the Turkmen people as well as the international community. The Turkmen leader welcomed the EU representatives’ proposal to hold a meeting of the heads of the Central Asian ministries of foreign affairs and EU-3 ministers of foreign affairs in Ashgabat.

The interlocutors considered the opportunities of intensifying partnership in the fields, where the profound positive experience of co-operation had been accumulated. In particular, the conversation focused on expansion of partnership between the Turkmen higher educational establishments with the leading educational and research centres in Europe through professional training of Turkmen teachers and increasing the number of the Turkmen students studying in Europe.

The interlocutors were unanimous that the European House to be opened in Ashgabat in the nearest future would be an important step towards enhancing co-operation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

Thanking the Turkmen leader for the heartfelt welcome and the opportunity to discuss the important issues of collaboration in a personal conversation Ms. Darya Bavdaz Kuret assured the Turkmen leader that as a plenipotentiary representative of Slovenia, which chaired the European Union, she would spare no effort to bring Turkmenistan-European Union partnership up to a higher level.

Upon concluding the meeting the President wished the guests success in all noble undertakings taken in the interests of the people of Turkmenistan and Europe and responding to their aspiration for peace, friendship and wellbeing.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Turkmenistan Christian Lechervi took part in the meeting.