Turkmenistan – European Union Business Forum: New Prospects for Cooperation

On March 26, 2026, the Yyldyz Hotel hosted a business forum entitled “New Horizons for Strengthening Connectivity, Attracting Investments and Sustainable Development,” organized as part of the expansion of the multifaceted dialogue between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

This meeting, which brought together the heads of relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions, international organizations, and foreign business circles, was further evidence of Turkmenistan's high international standing, successfully implementing an "open door" policy and broad international cooperation under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

In their speeches, representatives of relevant agencies and heads of diplomatic missions of European Union countries accredited in Turkmenistan emphasized the need to create new cooperation mechanisms that meet the demands of the times. In particular, they noted the importance of integration into the global trade space and adapting the national economy to international standards.

The first session of the forum focused on improving the business environment to facilitate trade and investment between Turkmenistan and the EU. Specifically, participants discussed issues related to improving trade and economic relations, strengthening the legal framework for entrepreneurship, and expanding export opportunities for the country's private sector.

Particular emphasis was placed on issues related to Turkmenistan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was emphasized that this will open up new opportunities for attracting foreign investment and high technology, promoting the diversification of the industrial sector and increasing the production of competitive products.

Presentations by experts from international organizations, who presented economic analyses of the Central Asian region's development, generated considerable interest at the forum. As noted, Turkmenistan, by demonstrating stable economic growth, confirms its status as a reliable partner on the global stage.

The second session of the business forum addressed issues of strengthening transport and logistics connectivity. It was noted that Turkmenistan's advantageous geographic location allows it to serve as a key crossroads of the East–West and North–South transcontinental transport corridors.

Representatives of customs services and transport associations discussed issues related to the automation of customs procedures, the simplification of trade operations, and the implementation of digital solutions in logistics. In this regard, the importance of integrating our country's transport infrastructure with Europe's global transport corridor system was emphasized.

The heads of European financial institutions and development banks, in turn, expressed their willingness to expand project activities in Turkmenistan, specifically supporting infrastructure initiatives and assisting private businesses in entering European markets.

The third session was devoted to a pressing contemporary topic: the transition to a green economy, the use of renewable energy sources, and cooperation in reducing methane emissions. In this regard, forum participants noted Turkmenistan's active role in addressing global environmental issues by introducing advanced resource-saving technologies into production.

Energy industry leaders and representatives of the world's largest energy companies discussed opportunities for collaboration in the field of renewable energy. Particular attention was paid to leveraging innovative developments from the European Union to reduce the negative environmental impact of the industrial sector.

The forum included a signing ceremony for bilateral documents aimed at expanding the legal framework for cooperation and implementing specific investment projects. These agreements will provide a powerful impetus to the development of the Turkmen-European partnership, imbuing it with new practical content.

A press conference followed, summing up the business forum's results. The organizers and participants expressed confidence that the agreements reached would promote the prosperity of the two regions and make a significant contribution to shared efforts to ensure sustainable development.

On the sidelines of the forum, representatives of Russian government agencies and the private sector also met with their European partners to discuss promising joint projects.