Turkmenistan and UK Advance Bilateral Dialogue in London

During a working visit to London, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, held a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings ahead of the first ministerial meeting in the “Central Asia – United Kingdom” format. A joint working luncheon of the foreign ministers of the region took place at the historic Lancaster House, attended by Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, where prospects for launching the new “Central Asia + United Kingdom” platform and expanding co-operation in technology, transport and investment were discussed. On 26 February, London is hosting for the first time a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states and the United Kingdom in the CA5+1 format, chaired by Yvette Cooper.

As part of the visit, Mr. Meredov held talks with the UK Minister of State for Defence, Lord Rodney Coker; the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle; and representatives of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Co-operation with Central Asia, led by Pam Cox. A separate meeting was held with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, during which issues relating to maritime transport, international shipping and the implementation of international conventions were discussed. The economic agenda included negotiations with the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Odile Renaud-Basso, regarding the Bank’s possible participation in the development of the East–West transport corridor, logistics projects and sustainable energy initiatives.

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of the Co-operation Programme between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the United Kingdom for 2026–2027 with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom, Hamish Falconer, following the third round of the “Structured Dialogue”. The parties noted the positive momentum in political and trade and economic relations, emphasised the need to make fuller use of the existing potential, including within the framework of the Turkmen–British Trade and Industry Council, and expressed interest in expanding co-operation in the field of education and the study of the English language. Regional issues were also discussed, including the situation in Afghanistan, and the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, the neutral status of Turkmenistan, and the political and diplomatic settlement of international issues.

Source: www.orient.tm