BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14. Turkmenistan and
the Benelux countries discussed prospects for expanding regional
cooperation, with a focus on economic and energy-related areas.
This was reported by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium
following a meeting between Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Belgium
Sapar Palvanov and Benelux Union Secretary-General Ariadne Petridis
in Brussels.
“The relevance of the Benelux Union's longstanding experience in
coordinating cooperation among states” was highlighted during the
meeting, according to the embassy.
According to the report, the sides discussed promising areas of
cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Benelux countries, as well
as opportunities to strengthen ties between Central Asia and
Europe.
Particular attention was paid to relations between Turkmenistan
and the European Union. The meeting addressed the expansion of
cooperation and the growing number of political consultations,
expert-level meetings and other joint engagements. The report says
that these developments have contributed to an increase in
reciprocal visits and official contacts between Turkmenistan and
the EU.
In her turn, Petridis welcomed the initiative and expressed
readiness to share the Benelux Union’s experience with Central
Asian countries.
For reference, the Benelux Union brings together Belgium, the
Netherlands and Luxembourg. Its cooperation framework covers areas
including energy, economic cooperation, the internal market,
climate, sustainable development, security and resilience.
For Turkmenistan, cooperation with the Benelux countries could
provide additional channels for dialogue on energy and economic
issues within its broader engagement with Europe.
