Rome expects a visit by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov in October. The visit is scheduled to coincide with the opening of an archaeological exhibition dedicated to ancient Margiana in the Capitoline Museums. This was announced by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Edmondo Cirielli during the international conference “Dialogue, Trust, Peace, Security in the World”, organized in the Casanatense Library on April 10 by the Embassy of Turkmenistan together with the Italian Institute of Asia (Isia), Nova Agency reports.

The expected visit by Serdar Berdimuhamedov is part of the active intensification of contacts between Italy and the countries of Central Asia, a region that the government of Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni is eyeing with growing interest.

This was confirmed in the speech by Deputy Minister Cirielli himself. He explained that for Italy, Turkmenistan is a gateway to Central Asia. "This is a country with which we have a historical connection: to reach China via the Silk Road, Italy has forged millennia-old and deep relationships that continue to this day. The activism of Meloni and (Foreign Minister Antonio) Tajani towards the Caucasus, Central Asia and China is a reality that is obvious to everyone."

Cirielli recalled the visit to Rome of Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov last year on the occasion of the third Italy-Central Asia Ministerial Conference, as well as his own trip to Ashgabat last January. "Italy has invested a lot at the diplomatic level, it is the third trading partner of the region after China and Russia. This is an extremely important geographical area, not only because of its huge mineral resources or hydrocarbons, but also because these countries have great cultural and diplomatic traditions, a geographical position that gives them the role of a bridge between Europe and Asia," the vice minister emphasized.

Cirielli added that this activity was supported by a similar initiative of the European Union. In March, Ashgabat hosted a ministerial meeting of the EU and Central Asia, and on April 3-4, Samarkand hosted an EU-CA summit. At the same time, Italy also pays great attention to environmental issues in Central Asia. "I personally," the deputy minister said, "gave new impetus to the old idea of requalifying the Aral Sea basin. We commissioned Sogesid (an engineering company for environmental management and territorial development) to conduct a feasibility study worth almost four million euros for projects open to all foreign investors.

The conference was also attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Akhmet Gurbanov. He spoke about the policy of neutrality of Turkmenistan, which initiated the UN proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

"This year we will organize a number of major events dedicated to neutrality, including a summit in December with the participation of heads of state and representatives of international institutions," Gurbanov noted. The Deputy Minister of Turkmenistan also focused on the potential for economic relations between Ashgabat and Rome. "The volume of trade has already exceeded 1.6 billion euros. We work in the fields of energy, transport, textile industry, agriculture. Business ties are developing. Turkmenistan is also ready to cooperate within the framework of the European Global Gateway initiative. We invite all companies to actively participate in the development of projects," Akhmet Gurbanov said, also mentioning the significant expansion of cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries. This aspect was also emphasized by the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Rome Toyly Komekov. "We highly appreciate the support and attention that Italy provides to the development of relations with Turkmenistan and Central Asia," the diplomat said in his speech.

The meeting was also attended by authoritative diplomats from other countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China. They confirmed the need for joint efforts to counter threats to peace through intercultural dialogue and regional cooperation. Professor Fabio Indeo, geopolitical analyst at ISIA, Professor Giulio Alfano from the Pontifical Lateran University and Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Gulshat Yusupova and others also spoke, Gazzetta Diplomatica reports.

The conference received resonance in the Italian media. In an interview with the ITALPRESS News Agency, Akhmet Gurbanov also said that the parties agreed to hold a joint business forum.

ORIENT