The first Forum of Strategic Institutes in the Central Asia–European Union format was held at the headquarters of the European External Action Service in Brussels. During the event, Turkmenistan put forward initiatives concerning natural gas supplies to the European market, the expansion of the capabilities of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, and the organisation of an economic forum in 2027.

Held with the support of the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia and the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), the forum brought together heads of strategic research centres, diplomats and leading European experts. Turkmenistan was represented by Batyr Niyazlyyev, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium.

One of the main issues raised by the Turkmen representatives was the need to move from announced initiatives to the implementation of concrete infrastructure projects. Participants discussed prospects for supplying Turkmen natural gas to the European market, as well as opportunities to integrate the Turkmenbashi International Seaport into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor network.

Attention was also given to attracting European technologies and investment under the Global Gateway initiative.

A separate section of the forum focused on expanding direct business and humanitarian ties. In this regard, Turkmenistan’s initiative to host the Central Asia–European Union Economic Forum in 2027 was of particular importance.

During the session dedicated to public diplomacy, European experts were introduced to the successful experience of holding the first World Championship of Akhal-Teke horses in the Netherlands last year. The event demonstrated how cultural projects can help strengthen ties between business and civil society representatives from the two regions.