BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 5. Turkmenistan and
the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
discussed prospects for expanding cooperation and preparations for
upcoming regional events in Ashgabat.


This was reflected in a press release published by
Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 5 following
the meeting between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and
Ignazio Cassis, who also serves as Switzerland's Vice President and
head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.


"During the meeting, the parties discussed current issues
related to the OSCE, the further development of cooperation between
Turkmenistan and the Organization, and the strengthening of
interaction between Turkmenistan and the Swiss Confederation," the
report says.


The parties noted that cooperation is carried out through the
annual project plan of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, which covers
the organization's politico-military, economic-environmental and
human dimensions.


They also discussed preparations for a number of joint events
planned in Ashgabat in the coming months, aimed at promoting
regional cooperation and the exchange of best practices, and
reaffirmed their commitment to further cooperation with
Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship, the organization's Secretariat,
its institutions and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.







The visit to Ashgabat followed Ignazio Cassis' meetings in
Azerbaijan on August 4, where discussions focused on the
Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, regional security, connectivity
and cooperation between Baku and the OSCE. During talks with
Azerbaijani officials, Cassis also highlighted the organization's
potential role in supporting humanitarian demining efforts and
reaffirmed Switzerland's backing for dialogue aimed at achieving
lasting stability in the South Caucasus.


For reference, Turkmenistan has maintained a long‑standing
partnership with the OSCE since signing the Helsinki Final Act in
1992, becoming a participating state of the organization. The OSCE
Centre in Ashgabat has been operating since 1999, facilitating
cooperation across political, economic, environmental, and
humanitarian dimensions.


In recent years, Ashgabat and the OSCE have prepared and begun
implementing multi‑project cooperation plans. In 2024, some 37
joint projects across fields, including peace and security,
environmental protection, and humanitarian issues, were planned,
and for 2025, around 40 projects were scheduled with support from
the OSCE Centre and relevant Turkmen agencies. These initiatives
encompass conflict prevention, economic and environmental
cooperation, strengthening democratic institutions, human rights
protection, and addressing statelessness.