At their 22nd Joint Committee meeting on Wednesday 4 December in Brussels, the European Union and Turkmenistan reviewed the progress made in the fields of trade, energy and development cooperation, while also mentioning the progress needed in the areas of human rights, respect for the Rule of law and democratisation in the country.
Discussions focused in particular on connectivity, including improvements to the Trans-Caspian transport network. The EU emphasised the potential for strengthening trade links, the investment climate and cooperation in favour of the green transition.
It also reiterated the importance of Turkmenistan joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
However, the EU recalled that significant progress in the field of human rights remained a “prerequisite for enhancing bilateral relations”, in particular the ratification of the EU-Turkmenistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement by the European Parliament.
The EU also condemned Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reiterated its concerns about the circumvention of sanctions through the territories of third countries, and encouraged Turkmenistan to cooperate with the EU. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)