A meeting took place at the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan with the European Training Foundation (ETF) delegation. The delegation was represented by Georgios Zisimos, Head of Policy Advice at ETF, and Katarina Lukachova, the ETF representative in Turkmenistan.

Key representatives of the Ministry of Education, including the Vice minister and staff from the departments of international cooperation, vocational education, higher education and digital security, and VET schools participated in the meeting. This event marked a significant step in strengthening the partnership between Turkmenistan and the European Training Foundation.

The main topics discussed during the meeting were:

The Role of ETF in the Development of Education and Training in Turkmenistan: ETF representatives shared their vision and experience within the framework of EU policy on the development of educational systems. They emphasized that their activities focus on improving the quality of education, developing professional skills, and preparing a workforce that meets the current demands of the labor market.

Priorities of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan within the Framework of the "DARYA - Dialogue and Actions for Resourceful Youth in Central Asia" Project, a Five-Year European Union Initiative in Central Asia:** The Ministry of Education outlined its main goals and objectives for the development of the national education system. Special attention was given to the extensive work carried out by the Ministry within the project's modules. In the course of implementing the project, the Ministry actively worked on the development of vocational education, the introduction of advanced teaching methods, and the enhancement of teachers' qualifications. This allowed significant progress to be made in developing the country's education system and expanding opportunities for youth.

The Status of the "DARYA" Project: The participants discussed the current progress and future steps for the implementation of the "DARYA" project, a program aimed at the development of vocational education and youth training. The Ministry of Education emphasized its active role in implementing all three modules of the project: from the collection and analysis of skills data to the introduction of flexible and inclusive teaching approaches. Future plans and possible joint actions within the project were also discussed.

This meeting confirmed the mutual commitment of Turkmenistan and the European Training Foundation to active cooperation in the field of education. Both parties expressed their readiness to develop new initiatives aimed at improving the education system, developing professional skills, and preparing young people for successful careers.

In addition to this meeting, the ETF delegation has scheduled a number of meetings with other important government and public organizations in Turkmenistan, including the National Institute of Education, the Agency for Transport and Communications, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. These meetings will provide further opportunities for discussing and developing partnership relations in the field of education and vocational training.

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