Ambassador's meeting with the Director-General of the DG RTD.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan S. Palvanov met with Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD).

During the substantive exchange, the parties discussed prospects for strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union in the fields of research, high technologies and innovation-driven development. Particular attention was given to aligning scientific and technological cooperation with the broader strategic framework of EU-Central Asia relations, which were elevated to a strategic level last year.

The Ambassador noted that, following a comprehensive review of Turkmenistan’s international priorities for 2025 and planning for 2026, the European Union was identified among the country’s top three international partners. Within this context, high technologies, climate-related research and the development of artificial intelligence have been defined as priority areas for engagement with European institutions.

In the course of the discussion, special emphasis was placed on climate-related challenges facing Central Asia. The Ambassador underlined that the region is increasingly confronted with complex environmental pressures, including changes in water balance, declining levels of the Caspian Sea and the broader impact of climate change. These developments require evidence-based assessment, advanced monitoring systems and modern technological solutions.

In this regard, the Turkmen side presented the initiative to establish a Regional Center for Innovation and Technology focused on environmental monitoring, climate research and risk assessment in Central Asia. The proposed center could serve as a platform for joint scientific projects, data exchange and technology transfer in cooperation with European partners.

The parties also exchanged views on expanding the participation of Turkmen research and academic institutions in European research and innovation programmes, as well as on strengthening institutional mechanisms for cooperation, including the possible development of framework arrangements and structured dialogue formats.

Both sides confirmed their mutual interest in further deepening cooperation in research and innovation and expressed readiness to continue a practical and results-oriented dialogue aimed at implementing concrete joint initiatives.