Turkmenistan and the European Union met on 5 May in Ashgabat to reinforce their commitment to security cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Kurbanov, EU Ambassador Beata Peksa, and experts from the Hedayah Center gathered to discuss how they can work together more effectively to address regional security challenges and build a safer, more secure future.
According to the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan, the parties exchanged views on enhancing Turkmenistan–EU collaboration on security-related issues. The discussions highlighted the role of key regional programs such as the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP) and the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA), which have contributed significantly to improving border security and fostering broader interregional development.
Participants also explored the potential for further cooperation within the framework of the EU’s STRIVE ASIA regional initiative, aimed at preventing and countering violent extremism. Special attention was given to the Law Enforcement in Central Asia (LEICA) project (2020–2024), which has supported capacity-building efforts and enhanced collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring public safety across the region.
The meeting further stressed the importance of strategic policy documents, including the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia (Luxembourg, 2023), the Joint Communiqué of the 20th EU–Central Asia Ministerial Meeting (Ashgabat, March 2025), and the Joint Declaration issued after the inaugural Central Asia–EU Summit held in Samarkand last month.
In 2024, trade between the European Union and Turkmenistan reached €1.1bn, with EU exports totaling €700mn and imports from Turkmenistan amounting to €400mn. Turkmenistan’s main exports to the EU were mineral products (86%), while the EU primarily exported machinery and transport equipment (50.1%) and chemical products (16%) to Turkmenistan.
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