Within the framework of the participation of the delegation of Turkmenistan in the 23rd meeting of the Joint Committee “Turkmenistan – EU”, Deputy Minister of Education Azat Atayev held a number of meetings with representatives of the European Union.

As reported on the website of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the events took place in the building of the European Commission.

During a meeting with Nyenke Buijsman, Head of the Regional Unit for International Cooperation of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, Azat Atayev made a presentation of the education system in Turkmenistan. Speaking about achievements and plans for the future, he paid special attention to the possibilities of international cooperation. In this regard, the parties agreed to organize seminars to familiarize with the possibilities and procedures for participation in EU educational and innovative programs and projects.

The European side then presented key initiatives in the field of education and research. Among them are the Horizon Europe programmes aimed at supporting innovation, as well as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, aimed at developing the international mobility of scientists and students. Of particular interest was the review of the grant system of the European Research Council.

A separate meeting was held with Filip van Depoel, Head of Division of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. The parties held talks on cooperation within the framework of the “Erasmus+” programme, noting the key role and importance of the national “Erasmus” office in Turkmenistan. They also discussed the prospects for academic exchanges, support for Turkmen students in EU educational programmes and the development of joint scientific projects.

Azat Atayev noted that the programs presented by European colleagues open up broad prospects for Turkmen students and researchers, which corresponds to Turkmenistan’s strategic priorities in the field of education.