On 11 December 2024, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Ms. Terhi Hakala, who is completing her mission as the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

Expressing gratitude for the time allocated for the meeting, Ms. Terhi Hakala congratulated the President on the International Day of Neutrality and noted that the European Union attaches great importance to the development of cooperation with neutral Turkmenistan, which stands for strengthening peace and mutual trust in the region and in the world.

Thanking for the kind words, the Head of State noted with satisfaction the many years of fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union, including the implementation of regional programs.

Expressing gratitude to Terhi Hakala for her personal contribution to the development of constructive partnership, the President congratulated her on the appointment as Special Representative of Finland to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and wished her great success in the new responsible post.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the European Union have recently gained a multifaceted character. Turkmenistan successfully cooperates with the European Union in political-diplomatic, trade-economic, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Cooperation in political-diplomatic vector is consistently developing, including in the framework of the Central Asia-European Union Dialogue.

The effectiveness of collaboration with the European Union in the framework of programs and projects aimed at socio-economic development of Turkmenistan was also noted.

In this regard, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the efficiency of projects in the areas of legislation, science and education, agriculture, environmental protection and combating climate change, and reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness to further strengthen relations with the European Union.

At the end of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again expressed gratitude to Terhi Hakala for her personal contribution to the development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU, wishing her good health and further success in her work.