Ashgabat, March 9, 2025 – The Europe Today: National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, recently gave an exclusive interview to Euronews correspondent Loro Baccheli, discussing Turkmenistan’s foreign and domestic policies, its role on the global stage, and prospects for strengthened cooperation with the European Union and neighboring states. The details of the interview were published by the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan on Saturday.
Commitment to Neutrality and Peaceful Coexistence
Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed that Turkmenistan adheres to a policy of neutrality, successfully maintaining this stance for years. He emphasized that Turkmenistan refrains from international conflicts and actively promotes peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty stressed that the nation prioritizes friendship and cooperation with countries that share common goals for sustainable development.
Strengthening EU Relations and Energy Cooperation
The National Leader highlighted Turkmenistan’s growing political and economic ties with the European Union, particularly in areas such as energy security, natural gas supplies, green energy development, and sustainable water management.
“First and foremost, we aim to launch joint projects in green energy and supply electricity to Europe,” Berdimuhamedov stated.
He also reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to collaborating with European partners on natural gas supplies, identifying the Trans-Caspian route as a key initiative to enhance energy exports to Europe.
Regional Water and Energy Management
During the interview, Berdimuhamedov addressed water and energy resource management, stating that Turkmenistan actively engages in regional water supply issues, especially in Central Asia. He proposed establishing a Regional Council on Water Use in Central Asia to create effective mechanisms for managing transboundary river resources.
Continued Support for Afghanistan’s Development
Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s unwavering support for Afghanistan’s economic and infrastructure recovery. He detailed ongoing projects, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, power transmission and communication lines to Pakistan via Afghanistan, and railway connections linking Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Confidence in Expanding EU-Turkmenistan Relations
Concluding the interview, the National Leader of the Turkmen People expressed optimism about the future of Turkmenistan’s economic and diplomatic ties with the European Union. He thanked the Euronews team for the interview and extended his best wishes for their continued success.
