On 17 February 2026, a briefing on cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union was held at the MFA of Turkmenistan. During the event, the results of interaction in 2025 were reviewed and key priorities of the partnership for 2026 were outlined. About this reports MFA of Turkmenistan.
Officials and staff members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in the country, representatives of EU institutions, as well as members of the media attended the briefing.
Opening the event, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova emphasized that cooperation with the European Union is one of the priority areas of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan. It was noted that the partnership is comprehensive and dynamic, covering political, economic, transport and energy, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The briefing provided a detailed overview of the results of the political dialogue in 2025, including the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries and the EU held in Ashgabat, the first EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, as well as active bilateral contacts at the highest and high levels. The importance of implementing the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia and advancing cooperation within the framework of the Global Gateway initiative was highlighted.
Particular attention was paid to project-based cooperation. The active implementation of around 30 bilateral and regional EU-funded projects in Turkmenistan in the areas of environment, digitalization, transport, rule of law, and private sector support was noted.
Key areas of cooperation were identified as inter-parliamentary dialogue, the Human Rights Dialogue, cooperation in education and science, including the DARYA initiative and interaction with the Horizon Europe programme, as well as the development of transport connectivity and the Trans-Caspian route.
The main events planned for 2026 were also outlined, including the inter-parliamentary dialogue, the Human Rights Dialogue, the meeting of the EU–Turkmenistan Joint Committee, the EU–Central Asia Ministerial Meeting, as well as other specialized events.
At the conclusion of the briefing, mutual interest of the EU and Turkmenistan in further developing and practically advancing cooperation in 2026 was reaffirmed.
