Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Belgium Sapar Palvanov proposed exploring the possibility of working with the Benelux countries on mutually exempting holders of diplomatic and service passports from visa requirements during a meeting with Benelux Union Secretary-General Ariadni Petridis in Brussels, according to the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on the dynamic development of relations between Turkmenistan and the European Union. Palvanov said expanding cooperation, along with more dialogue formats, political consultations, expert meetings and other joint events, had led to a significant increase in mutual visits and official contacts. He said mutual visa exemptions for diplomatic and service passport holders could facilitate growing official contacts, advance political dialogue, support high-level visits and strengthen institutional cooperation.
The Benelux Union Secretary-General briefed Palvanov on existing practices and procedures in this area and expressed readiness to support continued talks within her authority.
The sides also discussed opportunities to exchange experience in regional cooperation between Central Asia and the Benelux Union. The Turkmen side expressed interest in the Benelux’s longstanding experience in regional cooperation among Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. They also considered experience-sharing in security, energy, climate, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
Palvanov also briefed the secretary-general on an international equestrian event scheduled for Sept. 4-6 at the Peelbergen equestrian complex in Kronenberg, the Netherlands, and invited representatives of the Benelux Union Secretariat to attend.
