You're reading: Turkmenistan seeks broader ties with EU

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Patricia Flor have discussed the prospects for further promoting cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU.

“The European vector is one of the priorities of our country’s
foreign policy,” the Turkmen leader said during the meeting, which was
broadcast live by local television stations on Wednesday evening.

Berdimuhamedow reaffirmed his country’s intention to further broaden
contacts with the EU in general and bilateral relations with its
individual member states.

Great attention was also paid to cooperation in fuel and energy
deliveries as a comprehensive overhaul of the Turkmen fuel and energy
sector continues.

The sides noted that Turkmenistan’s commitment to diversifying the
routes for its hydrocarbon exports is vital to the success of this
cooperation.

During the meeting, the Turkmen president and the EU official
confirmed their mutual interest in further enhancing the sides’
effective partnership in efforts to maintain peace and security and
respond to global threats and challenges.

Flor, for her part, said that the EU highly values the Turkmen
president’s creative initiatives aimed at formulating balanced solutions
to major problems facing the international community, as well as
creating an optimal environment for sustainable development both in the
region and worldwide.