As part of the ministerial meeting on cooperation between Central Asia and the EU, which was held in Luxembourg on October 23, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov held negotiations with the European Union Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the main topic of discussion was the regional initiatives of the Team Europe program. These discussions laid the foundation for further constructive dialogue on the possibility of cooperation in the fields of energy and transport. The achievements of Turkmenistan on the path to joining the World Trade Organization were also reviewed. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan noted that his country would highly appreciate the EU's support in this matter.

European Commissioner Urpilainen emphasized the EU's readiness to provide technical assistance to Turkmenistan, taking into account its aspirations for WTO membership and ongoing reforms.

The main part of the meeting concerned the energy sector, in particular hydrogen energy, reducing methane emissions and processing natural gas. Minister Meredov gave examples of successful cooperation between Turkmenistan and the GIZ organization in the field of hydrogen and methane research.

The parties emphasized the need for a systematic approach to energy projects and the importance of jointly developing a roadmap for further partnership.

Subsequently, prospects for cooperation in the areas of digital technologies, water resources management and the investment forum in Brussels in January 2024 were discussed. The EU Commissioner highly appreciated the effectiveness of the Team Europe program and confirmed its readiness to strengthen partnerships with Turkmenistan.