Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan Muhammetgeldi Serdarov held a working meeting with Ambassador of the European Union to Turkmenistan Diego Ruiz Alonso, during which there was discussed the interaction between Ashgabat and Brussels in the financial and economic sphere.

Welcoming the diplomat, the head of the Turkmen Ministry of Finance stressed that Turkmenistan considers the EU and certain European countries as strategic partners and noted the progressive development of economic and business cooperation between the parties.

During the meeting, the EU Ambassador stated that the European Union is interested in expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan. He recalled that earlier cooperation between the parties developed in the regional plane, but after the opening of the European Union representation in Turkmenistan two years ago, it became possible to implement more bilateral projects.

Based on the foregoing, the European Union proposed to the government of Turkmenistan the implementation of new joint projects in three areas:

– green energy and sustainable development,
- rural development (water, agriculture, sustainable development goals),
- support for small and medium-sized businesses.

Diego Ruiz Alonso also noted that the European Union is successfully cooperating with Uzbekistan in the matter of including the country in the World Trade Organization (WTO). Similar work could also be carried out between the EU and Turkmenistan, the diplomat said.

The Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan noted that official Ashgabat is open to expanding investment, trade and economic cooperation with all interested parties.

Galina Romanova, head of the Consolidated Department of Public Finance and Economic Policy of the Ministry of Finance, who took part in the meeting, noted that there is a solid potential for developing cooperation between the parties.

Among the areas relevant for interaction, she highlighted the fulfillment by Turkmenistan of obligations under the Paris Agreement, the development of agricultural infrastructure, energy and water management. There is also an opportunity to establish cooperation in improving national legislation, as well as to help improve the skills of local specialists through the organization of training activities.

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