On 9 September, the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan, Luc Pierre Devigne, who presented his credentials to the Head of State. This was reported by the news agency TDH.

The EU Ambassador thanked Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the meeting and noted that he considered it an honour to represent the European Union in Turkmenistan. He also conveyed greetings from the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to the Head of State and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The President of Turkmenistan conveyed his best wishes to the leadership of the European Union, congratulated Luc Pierre Devigne on his appointment and wished him every success in his diplomatic work.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the state of play and prospects for cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union. It was noted that this cooperation spans the political, trade and economic, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Particular attention was paid to the development of political dialogue and the exchange of views on topical issues on the international and regional agenda.

In the trade and economic sphere, opportunities were highlighted for increasing trade turnover, expanding business contacts with European companies and implementing new investment projects. Energy, transport and logistics, industry, agriculture, digital technologies and environmental protection were identified as promising areas.

Cooperation in the transport and communications sector was discussed separately. The parties noted the importance of developing routes via the Caspian Sea to European markets and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

Prospects for cooperation also relate to the energy sector, including the development of renewable energy sources and the transition to a ‘green’ economy.

Cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, including in the fields of education, science and culture, was also identified as an important area of bilateral relations.

Luc Pierre Devigne assured President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of his readiness to facilitate the further development of relations between the European Union and Turkmenistan.