Turkmenistan and EU Strengthen Ties at Global Gateway 2025 Forum
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: In the margins of the Global Gateway 2025 Forum, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Finance and Economy, Mammetguly Astanagulov, held constructive discussions with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, exploring avenues to further deepen cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.
The dialogue took place both during the forum’s main plenary session and later at a working dinner hosted by Commissioner Síkela, attended by delegation heads and senior representatives of member countries.
During the meeting, Minister Astanagulov highlighted Turkmenistan’s plans to organize the first-ever EU–Turkmenistan Business Forum in 2026, extending a personal invitation to Commissioner Síkela to attend this landmark event. The discussion also covered the EU–Central Asia Economic Forum, a biennial event, noting that the 2025 edition will be held in Uzbekistan, while Turkmenistan is scheduled to host the next forum in 2027. The Turkmen delegation emphasized the country’s readiness to host major international conferences and its growing role as a hub for international dialogue.
Minister Astanagulov also invited Commissioner Síkela to participate in the International Forum on Peace and Trust on 12 December 2025, marking Turkmenistan’s 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality. The forum is expected to bring together world leaders and representatives of international organizations to promote peace, trust, and global cooperation.
Commissioner Síkela warmly recalled his visit to Turkmenistan earlier this year, expressing appreciation for the hospitality extended during his meeting with the President of Turkmenistan and requesting that his regards be conveyed.
The meeting also acknowledged the active role of EU institutions and international financial organizations in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3), held earlier in Avaza, Turkmenistan. Commissioner Síkela was thanked for the EU’s constructive engagement and effective cooperation in the conference.
The exchange of views concluded in a warm and collaborative atmosphere, reaffirming the mutual commitment of Turkmenistan and the EU to strengthen dialogue and expand practical cooperation in economic and investment spheres.
