A working lunch, hosted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, was held as part of the first meeting of the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries and the United Kingdom in London, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

The event focused on regional cooperation, including security, sustainable development, and strengthening interregional cooperation.

Turkmenistan's Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov proposed a number of specific initiatives. Specifically, he proposed launching joint training programs, creating a new format for the "Turkmenistan-UK Cultural Dialogue," and expanding technical and consulting cooperation with British law and consulting firms. Separately, the head of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry raised the issue of implementing digital solutions to ensure the transparency of cross-border trade.

The lunch participants emphasized the importance of promoting Afghanistan's peaceful development through infrastructure projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline, power lines, and railway construction in the Afghan direction.

The parties also emphasized the need to combine the UK's technological potential with the diplomatic efforts of Central Asian countries to strengthen stability and sustainable development in the region.