Brussels, May 24, 2025 – The Europe Today: The National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has extended an official invitation to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to participate in the upcoming International Forum of Peace and Trust, scheduled to take place on December 12 in Ashgabat. The announcement was made by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium.
According to the Turkmen diplomatic mission, the invitation was formally delivered by Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, during a meeting with Elisabetta Belloni, diplomatic adviser to the head of the European Commission.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the current state of Turkmenistan-European Union relations, noting the positive and progressive dynamics of bilateral cooperation. The discussions reflected a shared interest in strengthening ties across multiple sectors.
Ambassador Palvanov highlighted that the anniversary meeting of EU and Central Asian foreign ministers held in Ashgabat in March, along with the inaugural EU–Central Asia summit, marked a new phase in regional cooperation and affirmed a commitment to a sustainable, high-level partnership. He underscored Turkmenistan’s focus on the practical implementation of agreements reached at these diplomatic milestones.
The talks also addressed priority areas for future cooperation. Turkmenistan expressed its readiness to enhance collaboration in strategic fields including:
- Energy and sustainable energy supplies
- Transport and logistics connectivity
- Critical raw materials supply chains
- Education and scientific-technical exchange
The Turkmen side reiterated its openness to expanding dialogue on regional and global challenges, and affirmed its support for closer engagement with the European Union on a wide range of topics, including environmental protection and humanitarian initiatives.
Both parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the Turkmenistan–EU partnership across economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions.
The International Forum of Peace and Trust, to be held at the level of heads of state and leaders of international organizations, will commemorate the United Nations General Assembly’s proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust and will also mark the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. The event is expected to serve as a global platform for dialogue and cooperation in promoting peace, mutual understanding, and sustainable development.
