The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will support Turkmenistan on strengthening border management, regional connectivity, environmental protection, and women’s empowerment. Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, on her first official visit to Turkmenistan, made the announcement on 1 June. Schmid attended the inauguration of the organization's new Ashgabat office, provided by Turkmenistan on a free for use. 

Prior to this, she held talks with Turkmenistan's leadership, the Speaker of Parliament and the Ministry of Energy. Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev attended the ceremony.

"With the designation of this building the OSCE Centre will be able to better meet its needs and tasks under its mandate," said an OSCE press release citing Schmid's statement.

The Ashgabat's Centre was established in 1999 to assist Turkmenistan in implementing its OSCE commitments across three dimensions of security.

Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry said it also discussed with the OSCE delegation prospects for co-operation on energy and environmental security and sustainable transport.

"In the political dimension, the effective partnership achieved with the OSCE in countering terrorism, combating cross-border crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, the threat of violent extremism and radicalization is noted."

 

The information said that the leadership of the OSCE emphasized the efforts of Turkmenistan in the process of restoring the peace in Afghanistan, through the implementation of regional infrastructure projects, and the provision of effective humanitarian assistance to the neighboring country.

The Turkmen side noted during the talks that it supports the development of "green" ports and interconnectedness in the Caspian Sea region, digitalization, facilitation of trade procedures and transport and logistics routes in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Credits: Eziz Boyarov