Opportunities for joint investment projects under the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative, the development of higher value-added manufacturing and the introduction of modern technologies were discussed at an economic session of the first Forum of Strategic Institutes of Central Asia and the European Union in Brussels, Turkmenistan’s Embassy in Belgium reported on Saturday.
Turkmenistan was represented at the forum by Batyr Niyazliyev, an adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Sapar Palvanov. The two-day discussions brought together representatives of strategic and analytical institutions from Central Asian countries, European Union institutions, and European experts in international relations, security and economics. The forum was held at the headquarters of the European External Action Service, with support from the office of the EU Special Representative for Central Asia and the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).
Participants discussed international security, trade and economic ties, transport and energy connectivity, investment attraction, technology transfer, digitalization and education. Particular attention was given to developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, upgrading its infrastructure and creating conditions to expand trade and improve access for Central Asian goods to European markets.
The forum also addressed prospects for expanding business contacts between entrepreneurs from Central Asia and the EU. In this regard, the Turkmen side highlighted its initiative to hold a Central Asia-EU Economic Forum in Ashgabat in 2027 to promote direct business ties and advance mutually beneficial projects.
During the discussions, the Turkmen side emphasized the importance of moving from identifying shared priorities to implementing concrete projects. Particular attention was given to prospects for energy cooperation, including potential supplies of Turkmen natural gas to the European market, as well as developing Turkmenistan’s transport and logistics capacity and the capabilities of the International Seaport of Turkmenbashi.
