In Ashgabat yesterday and today were held political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic.

The Turkmen side was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vepa Hajiyev, the French delegation was headed by Deputy Director of the Department of Continental Europe of the French Foreign Ministry Sylvain Guiaugué.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reports, the sides discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields. Attention was also paid to the further development of interparliamentary ties.

A separate topic of the meeting was cooperation within the European Union, as well as the implementation of the points of the “EU Strategy for Central Asia”. The sides expressed mutual interest in continuing the dialogue in the field of the humanitarian dimension this year as well.

The diplomats touched upon some aspects of international energy and environmental security.

The parties considered it expedient to intensify the activities of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-French Commission on Economic Cooperation and the Working Group on Energy.

Increasing the volume of trade turnover and promising joint business projects were also on the list of topics discussed. In this context, communication and communications were designated as one of the important areas of trade and economic cooperation.

A number of proposals for further development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation were received from diplomats. Special attention is paid to archeology and museum business in this aspect. The positive dynamics of cultural events was noted and the special educational role of the French Institute functioning in Ashgabat was emphasized.

The sides agreed to support the practice of regular meetings on the foreign policy line, as well to give impetus to the extension of the legal basis.

The French delegation will continue its visit to Ashgabat and will conduct talks in a number of ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan.