A meeting was held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels with students, undergraduates and teachers of the prestigious French University of Lille. The head of the diplomatic mission, Sapar Palvanov, briefed the guests, focusing on Turkmenistan's priorities, as well as the use of traditional and innovative diplomatic practices to promote its rich cultural heritage and progressive policies to a wide European audience.

In this context, there were noted the role of media tools in public diplomacy and the active interaction of the embassy on media platforms and its openness to cooperation with various European media. As the plenipotentiary explained, this approach is part of a broader effort to involve the media in the activities of the embassy, from politics to cultural events, which contributes to increased transparency and the formation of a deeper understanding of the social values and priorities of Turkmenistan.

One of the strategies is the mass media accreditation system in Turkmenistan, which allows for comprehensive coverage of government events, improving the international image of the country. The Ambassador noted the publication of books, including the recent work of the President of Turkmenistan on the historical city of Anau - the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024, as an example of establishing literary and cultural bridges of friendship between peoples.

The Ambassador also highlighted the launch of initiatives, such as the large- scale celebration of the 300th anniversary of the famous Turkmen poet and philosopher Magtymguly Fragi. The briefing featured videos showing cultural exhibitions and events organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Brussels, including a poetry challenge, as an illustration of methods for combining culture with diplomacy to attract a global audience.

During the briefing, the interaction of Turkmenistan with the European Union and EU institutions was highlighted. As the Turkmen diplomat noted, such dialogue is crucial for promoting mutual understanding and cooperation on a wide range of issues, from enriching cultural contacts to harmonizing political strategies. There were mentioned the recent successful visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov to Brussels and his meetings with representatives of the EU and Belgium.

Overall, the briefing not only gave participants an insight into Turkmenistan's multifaceted approach to public diplomacy, but also demonstrated the country's efforts to establish effective ties with the European community.

At the end of the meeting, an interactive quiz was held, which allowed students to test their knowledge about Turkmenistan, its culture and traditions. The friendly competition was also aimed at stimulating the interest of European youth in our country and its heritage. And, as the embassy noted, judging by the reaction, the goal was achieved: students asked many more questions on a variety of topics. So it was decided to develop communication in this format.

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