The visit to Ashgabat served as a reason to give a new impetus to the EU-Turkmenistan relations in all directions. This was stated by Vice President of the European Commission Margaritis Shinas on Wednesday at a briefing for journalists following a visit to Turkmenistan, according to a press release from the EU Delegation to Turkmenistan.

“In a press briefing following the visit, Margaritis Shinas said: “I am proud to be the first commissioner who has visited Turkmenistan since the European Commission was created five years ago. Turkmenistan is an important EU partner in Central Asia”.

“My visit has become an opportunity to discuss Global Gate, the EU’s core investment strategy with partners around the world. The Global Gate is designed to invest in our mutual interests and are ideal for Central Asia, since the region is already a global gateway between East and West. And the visit was an occasion to give a new impetus to the EU-Turkmenistan relations in all directions,” the words of the Vice President of the European Commission are quoted in a press release.

It is noted that “the visit is preceded by the “Europe–Central Asia Forum”, the purpose of which is to strengthen ties through the development of transport routes within Central Asia and the European Union. This also indicates a growing partnership between the EU and the region”.

“During the visit, Vice President Margaritis Shinas met with the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov. At the meetings, key issues such as EU-Central Asia cooperation, involvement of Central Asian countries in the EU Global Gates, as well as the participation of Turkmenistan in the upcoming Europa-Central Asia Investor Forum were discussed, press release”.

“Discussing the EU-Turkmenistan Partnership, the EC Vice President welcomed the efforts of Turkmenistan in the process of joining the World Trade Organization and its desire to become a member of the multilateral trading system. He also congratulated Turkmenistan on joining the global methane commitment at COP28 in Dubai,” said a press release.

The Delegation of the European Union, headed by the Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Shinas, officially visited Turkmenistan on January 17 as part of its Central Asian tour from January 15 to 17.