On April 4, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov participated in the first "Central Asia – European Union" Summit.

The agenda of the Summit, aimed at developing and strengthening the multilateral partnership between the Central Asian states and the European Union, included issues of increasing trade, economic, and investment ties, promoting joint projects in the fields of "green" energy and the "green" economy, transport, digitalization, and others.  

The first "Central Asia – European Union" Summit, held in the city of Samarkand under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Zhaparov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the President of the European Council António Costa, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Investment Bank Nadia Calviño, and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso.  

Following the traditional joint photo session, the guests proceeded to the large meeting hall of the Congress Center, where a high-level meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries and the heads of the main political and economic institutions of the European Union took place.

Opening the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev once again welcomed the participants and expressed gratitude for the support of Uzbekistan's initiative to hold the first "Central Asia – European Union" Summit in ancient Samarkand.

In his speech, the leader of the brotherly country noted the significance of the recent meeting of the heads of foreign ministries of the Central Asian states and the European Union in Ashgabat, as well as the constructive negotiations held on the eve, which demonstrated the political will and determination to deepen practical cooperation in the interests of both regions.

Welcoming those present, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the warm welcome, hospitality, and the conditions created for work.  

Noting the importance of the current meeting, the head of state emphasized that for the first time, the countries of Central Asia and the European Union are holding negotiations in such a format at the highest level, which in itself is a significant event. "In our opinion, this testifies to the understanding by all participants of the need to deepen relations, the desire for rapprochement, and the building of strong partnership mechanisms," said the President of Turkmenistan, expressing confidence that the upcoming discussions would mark an important stage in strengthening ties, achieving mutual understanding, and concrete agreements.

Emphasis was placed on the fact that in the current conditions, political and diplomatic interaction between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union can have a noticeable constructive influence on the overall situation in the region and neighboring countries, and contribute to the efforts of the world community in this direction, primarily represented by the United Nations.  

"We proceed from the common desire to see Central Asia as a peaceful, economically attractive region, a territory of stability and predictability, not drawn into geopolitical conflicts and contradictions," continued President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, reaffirming Turkmenistan's readiness to work towards achieving these goals in accordance with its neutral status and international obligations.  

The settlement of the situation in Afghanistan was named among the most important issues for peace and security in the regional and global dimensions.

Highly appreciating the potential for cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union in such priority areas as economy and investment, energy, transport, and trade, the head of state stated that Turkmenistan is firmly committed to a serious energy dialogue with the EU at a new substantive level and is ready to implement practical steps.  

Strategic directions include transport and communications, the key component of which is the creation of the East-West and West-East transport and communication line. "We attach paramount importance to the Trans-Caspian route," said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, confirming Turkmenistan's readiness to provide the capacities of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport on the Caspian coast and road infrastructure on the territory of Turkmenistan in the interests of this project.  

"In the field of communications, we also proceed from the necessity and possibility of laying cables along the bottom of the Caspian Sea," continued the head of state, stating that Turkmenistan considers the construction of underwater infrastructure in the Caspian Sea economically beneficial for the littoral states.  

"In general, I am convinced that the effective investment participation of the European Union in a complex of infrastructure projects in the region will be a timely step," noted President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, expressing readiness to provide investors with the most favorable conditions for a significant expansion of trade with Europe.  

Reaffirming Turkmenistan's commitment to the development and expansion of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted with satisfaction the effectiveness of educational projects and programs implemented by the EU in the region for many years.  

In order to develop this work, taking into account the objective demands and needs of cooperation, the head of state proposed considering the possibility of developing a joint project in the field of vocational education, stating that he considers this very important from the point of view of training highly qualified technical personnel working at enterprises with high-tech equipment.

Speaking in favor of intensifying joint scientific and research projects in the fields of history, archeology, ethnography, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage monuments, the President of Turkmenistan noted the prospects for tourist exchanges and the creation of targeted joint programs of ecological and ethnographic tourism.

In conclusion, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized Turkmenistan's firm positive attitude towards the continuation and intensification of partnership in the "Central Asia – European Union" format and its readiness to make a significant contribution to this undoubtedly positive and significant process.  

During the Summit, the participants emphasized the importance of building cooperation on a systematic basis, directing it towards specific goals, and developing new mechanisms of interaction. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of enhancing interregional partnership in the trade and economic sphere, the energy and transport and communication sectors, and the fields of "green" energy and climate change. At the same time, confidence was expressed in reaching concrete agreements on expanding investment cooperation, implementing joint infrastructure projects, and supporting innovation and digital solutions.  

Thus, the current high-level meeting became an important platform for discussing opportunities to strengthen relations between the countries of Central Asia and the European Union in the trade, economic, investment, transport, and cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as for developing joint strategies in these areas.