BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 16. The European Union is enhancing its collaboration with Turkmenistan through targeted initiatives that support the country's green economy and improve its trade climate, the press office of the European Commission told Trend.
The EU is channeling significant resources to enhance key sectors in Turkmenistan as part of its commitment to fostering sustainable development.
"Turkmenistan benefits from a cooperation facility of 11 million euros covering the period from 2021 to 2024, which focuses on the green economy to support policy dialogue and provide technical assistance in sectors such as methane emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy," the press office stated.
In addition to environmental efforts, the EU initiative also focuses on improving the business climate in Turkmenistan. Economic development receives specific attention, with a strong emphasis on supporting women and youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Furthermore, the facility aids Turkmenistan in its process of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), fostering the country's integration into global trade systems.
According to the information, these efforts form part of the broader EU-Central Asia strategy.
"EU-Central Asia relations are framed by the strategy adopted in 2019, which identifies three priorities of engagement: regional cooperation, resilience, and prosperity. This is complemented by the EU-Central Asia roadmap for deepening ties," the commission's spokesperson said.
The resilience component of this strategy addresses areas such as water and energy management, human rights, and regional stability, while the prosperity component focuses on economic connectivity, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
On a regional level, the EU also implements several Global Gateway flagships that benefit Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan. These initiatives focus on areas like digital and transport connectivity, as well as regional development of critical raw materials.
The 19th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on October 23, 2023, adopted the EU-Central Asia roadmap for deepening ties.
The EU’s engagement in Central Asia, including its cooperation with Turkmenistan, underscores a commitment to strengthening regional ties and promoting sustainable development through a balance of environmental and economic reforms. As Turkmenistan continues to evolve its green economy and improve its trade environment, the EU’s strategic support will play a key role in shaping the country’s future growth trajectory.
