Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Belgium, met with Bart Hendrickx, Head of Academic Diplomacy at the KU Leuven. This was reported by the press service of the Turkmen diplomatic mission.

They discussed the university's international and research profile, its participation in European programmes, including ‘Horizon Europe’, as well as opportunities for cooperation with universities in Central Asia.

The Ambassador of Turkmenistan spoke about the region's role in the international agenda, Turkmenistan's historical and cultural heritage, and the country's initiatives to strengthen peace and trust.

The opening of the International University of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs was noted as an example of a practice-oriented approach.

The Turkmen side proposed creating a sustainable platform for cooperation with the University of Leuven, including possible formal agreements. Hendrickx supported the idea and stressed the importance of defining common areas of cooperation for a structured assessment of opportunities for joint work.

The parties also positively noted the Ambassador's lecture on Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, delivered to university students, which contributed to the strengthening of humanitarian ties and academic dialogue.