The President of Turkmenistan took part in the first Central Asia – European Union Summit

On April 4, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the first Central Asia-European Union Summit.

The agenda of the current Summit, aimed at developing and strengthening the multilateral partnership of the Central Asian states with the European Union, included issues of increasing trade, economic and investment ties, promoting joint projects in the field of "green" energy and "green" economy, transport, digitalization, etc.

The first Central Asia-European Union Summit, held in Samarkand under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the President of the European Council António Costa, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Investment Bank Nadia Calviño, and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso.

After the traditional joint photo ceremony, the guests headed to the large conference room of the Congress Centre, where a high-level meeting of the leaders of Central Asian countries and the heads of the main political and economic institutions of the European Union took place.

Opening the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again welcomed the participants of the meeting and expressed gratitude for the support of Uzbekistan’s initiative to hold the first Central Asia–European Union Summit in ancient Samarkand.

In his speech, the leader of the fraternal country noted the importance of the meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries of Central Asian states and the European Union that was recently held in Ashgabat, as well as the constructive negotiations held the day before, which demonstrated the existence of political will and determination to deepen practical cooperation in the interests of the two regions.

Having greeted those gathered, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the cordiality, hospitality and conditions created for work.

Noting the importance of the current meeting, the head of state emphasized that for the first time, the countries of Central Asia and the European Union are holding negotiations in such a format at the highest level, which in itself is an indicative event. In our opinion, this indicates that all participants understand the need to deepen relations, strive for rapprochement and build strong partnership mechanisms, the President of Turkmenistan said, expressing confidence that the upcoming discussions will mark an important stage in strengthening ties, achieving mutual understanding and specific agreements.

Emphasis was placed on the fact that, in the current conditions, political and diplomatic interaction between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union is capable of exerting a noticeable constructive influence on the general situation in the region and neighboring countries, and facilitating the efforts of the world community in this direction, primarily through the United Nations.

We proceed from the common intention to see Central Asia as a peaceful, economically attractive region, a territory of stability and predictability, not drawn into geopolitical conflicts and contradictions, continued President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, confirming Turkmenistan’s readiness to work to achieve these goals in accordance with its neutral status and international obligations.

The settlement of the situation in Afghanistan was named among the most important issues for peace and security in the regional and global dimensions.

Having highly assessed the potential for cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union in such priority areas as economics and investment, energy, transport, and trade, the head of state stated that Turkmenistan is firmly committed to a serious energy dialogue with the EU at a new substantive level and is ready to implement practical steps.

The strategic directions are transport and communications, the key component of which is the creation of the East-West and West-East transport and communications lines. We assign the most important role in this to the Trans-Caspian route, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, confirming Turkmenistan's readiness to provide the capacities of the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port on the Caspian coast, road infrastructure on the territory of Turkmenistan in the interests of this project.

“In the communications sector, we also proceed from the need and possibility of laying cables along the bottom of the Caspian Sea,” the head of state continued, stating that Turkmenistan considers the construction of underwater infrastructure in the Caspian Sea to be economically beneficial for the coastal states.

In general, I am convinced that the effective investment participation of the European Union in a complex of infrastructure projects in the region will be a timely step, noted President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing his readiness to provide investors with the most favorable conditions for a significant expansion of trade with Europe.

Having confirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to the development and expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted with satisfaction the effectiveness of educational projects and programs implemented by the EU in this region over many years.

In order to develop this work taking into account objective requests and needs for cooperation, the head of state proposed considering the possibility of developing a joint project in the field of vocational education, stating that he considers this very important from the point of view of training highly qualified technical personnel working in enterprises with high-tech equipment.

Having spoken out in favor of intensifying joint scientific and research projects in the fields of history, archeology, ethnography, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites, the President of Turkmenistan noted the prospects of tourist exchanges and the creation of targeted joint programs for ecological and ethnographic tourism.

In conclusion of his speech, the head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized Turkmenistan’s firm positive attitude to continue and intensify the partnership in the “Central Asia-European Union” format and its readiness to make a significant contribution to this undoubtedly positive and significant process.

During the Summit, the participants emphasized the importance of building cooperation on a systemic basis, directing it towards specific goals, and developing new mechanisms for interaction. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of activating interregional partnership in the trade and economic sphere, energy, transport and communications sectors, green energy and climate change. At the same time, confidence was expressed in reaching specific agreements on expanding investment cooperation, implementing joint infrastructure projects, supporting innovation and digital solutions.

Thus, the current high-level meeting has become an important platform for discussing the possibilities of strengthening relations between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union in the trade, economic, investment, transport and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as for developing joint strategies in these areas.