Overview
Turkmenistan, home to the world's fourth-largest reserves of natural gas, has traditionally been dependent on its extractive industry for economic growth. However, there has been a notable shift in the country's economic strategy towards embracing a greener and more diversified economy. This transition includes efforts to increase the domestic use of renewable energies and to mitigate methane emissions.
Additionally, Turkmenistan has taken a significant step towards integrating into the global economy by expressing its intent to join the multilateral trading system. In February 2022, Turkmenistan achieved the status of an acceding country to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Our partnership
The EU is dedicated to supporting Turkmenistan's efforts to transition towards a more sustainable, green economy while simultaneously enhancing its business environment and supporting its accession to the World Trade Organisation. This commitment is underscored by the EU-Turkmenistan Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters, and aligns with the EU Strategy on Central Asia and the Global Gateway Strategy.
The EU has allocated €18 million to support its bilateral cooperation with Turkmenistan in 2021-2027. The country also benefits from all EU regional programmes.
EU-Turkmenistan partnership documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
The EU and Turkmenistan are working together in the regional context of developing the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, to modernise infrastructure, improve logistics efficiency, and strengthen regional economic integration along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. Efforts include:
- Working through the Coordination Platform for the Corridor and stimulating investments, including through pre-feasibility studies to support infrastructure development.
- Identifying key infrastructure projects to improve transport links, including ports expansions, road and railway improvements , and logistics centres.
- Facilitating trade and investment for a greater cooperation among Central Asian countries, to improve the business climate and investments, including organisation of the EU-Central Asia Investors’ Forum and the EU-Central Asia Economic Forum.
- Improving Turkmenistan's cross-border security by enhancing regional collaboration on border management and countering illicit trafficking, including through the BOMCA programme (Border Management Programme in Central Asia) and efforts to reduce the demand and trafficking of illegal drugs (CADAP, Central Asia Drug Action Programme).
- Critical raw materials
Turkmenistan is involved in dialogues with the EU to promote cooperation on critical raw materials (CRM), which are essential for the EU’s green and digital transition. Our efforts focus on:
- Increased cooperation between Central Asia and the EU with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
- The critical raw materials Global Facility.
- The EBRD Hi-Bar Programme for the Energy Transition, supported by the European Fund for Sustainable Development +.
- Digital connectivity
Through its Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity, the EU supports Turkmenistan to reform their legislative and regulatory framework, thus establishing a supportive environment for digital connectivity.
- Water, energy and climate change
The EU, Team Europe, and local partners promote regional cooperation on energy and water management. The green transition itself will also be an opportunity for sustainable growth and job creation. The EU and Turkmenistan are making progress through key initiatives, including:
- The bilateral Cooperation Facility programme that promotes renewable energies and energy efficiency, as well as the reduction of methane emissions
- The regional Central Asia Water & Energy Programme which promotes greater regional cooperation for more resilient and better integrated water and energy management, to support the resilience of Central Asian countries to climate change.
- The EU4Sustainable Central Asia:
- Renewable Energy in Central Asia (RECA) programme, which strengthens conditions for regional and national integration of renewable energy in Central Asia.
- Joint Action and Coordination on Water, Energy and Climate Change programme, which improves regional coordination on water management and establishes a Team Europe secretariat.
- Rule of law and civil society
The EU contributes to strengthening the capacity of Turkmen civil society organisations (CSOs) to participate in policy dialogue at the national and regional levels, through:
- Projects that support the involvement of Turkmen CSOs, particularly women and youth CSOs, in the development, implementation and monitoring of national programmes and plans across various sectors such as social affairs, disabilities, environment, energy, and climate change.
- The regional Civil Society Facility that enhances the capacities of Central Asian CSOs to participate in policy making processes at the regional level.
- Human development
Turkmenistan and the EU are particularly focused on:
- Strengthening the resilience of immunisation systems, with strong emphasis on the digitalisation of health information systems.
- Fostering inclusive and labour market-relevant skills development opportunities for the Turkmen youth.
