BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 2. Turkmenistan has
called for stronger direct business ties between Central Asian and
European Union companies to advance mutually beneficial projects,
according to a publication by the country's embassy in Belgium
following the first Central Asia-EU Strategic Institutes Forum in
Brussels.
The forum took place at the headquarters of the European
External Action Service (EEAS).
"The importance of expanding cooperation between entrepreneurs
from Central Asia and the European Union was also noted," the
publication stated.
In this context, the publication also highlighted Turkmenistan's
initiative to hold the Central Asia-EU Economic Forum in 2027,
aimed at promoting direct business contacts and advancing mutually
beneficial projects.
For reference, the European Union is one of Central Asia's key
economic partners, accounting for 21.3% of the region's combined
foreign trade in 2025. The EU is also the region's main export
destination, receiving almost one-third of Central Asian exports.
Trade between the two sides is largely based on Central Asian
supplies of crude oil, natural gas, metals and cotton fiber, while
EU exports mainly consist of machinery, transport equipment and
other manufactured goods.
The EU is also the largest foreign investor in Central Asia,
accounting for more than 40% of foreign direct investment in the
region over the past decade, with investments exceeding €100
billion. The European Union's investment priorities include
transport, critical raw materials, water and energy resources,
climate-related projects and digital connectivity.
