Turkmenistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development strengthen cooperation in energy, transport, and the digital economy
On July 28, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov received the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso. Expressing gratitude for the time granted, the guest emphasized that under the leadership of the Head of State, Turkmenistan is demonstrating high rates of development. The head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development also noted that the magnificent architectural appearance of Ashgabat had made a deep impression on her. Highly assessing the large-scale transformations being carried out in Turkmenistan aimed at diversifying the national economy, Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso confirmed the steady interest of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in expanding cooperation with our country. Warmly welcoming the head of a major international financial institution, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar expressed confidence that the meetings planned as part of her visit would give impetus to the further development of bilateral partnership. As noted during the meeting, in the context of its foreign policy activities, Turkmenistan cooperates constructively with authoritative international organizations, in particular financial and banking institutions. The strategy of socio-economic development being implemented in Turkmenistan is aimed at raising the living standards of the people. Its priority goals are not limited to addressing current tasks but are also oriented toward ensuring long-term sustainable development. As emphasized by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, in order to achieve these goals, Turkmenistan is carrying out the necessary work on producing export-oriented and import-substituting products and supporting entrepreneurship. Appropriate measures are also being implemented for the diversification and modernization of the economy and for attracting investment into its key sectors. Noting that Turkmenistan has for many years been a member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, with which effective interaction has been established in the trade-economic and financial-banking spheres, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar identified energy, transport, the digital economy, and environmental protection as the main vectors of bilateral cooperation. Focusing attention on the transport and logistics sector, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that the country's advantageous geographical location serves as a reliable platform for forming interconnectivity between various modes of transport. Speaking on this, the Head of State emphasized that important work is being carried out to create the North–South and East–West multimodal international transport corridors. It was also noted that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to expanding cooperation in the energy sector through diversification. Comprehensive activities are being carried out to develop clean, «green» energy that is safe for the environment. In this connection, Arkadagly Hero-Serdar stated that there are broad opportunities for the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in projects and new initiatives being implemented in Turkmenistan. Emphasizing that important tasks at present also include the development of the domestic agricultural sector and the rational use of water resources, the Head of State confirmed Turkmenistan's readiness to advance cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in this direction. Noting that during Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso's visit to Ashgabat, talks would be held on banking, financial, and energy matters, environmental protection, the rational use of water resources, and Turkmenistan's transport and logistics system, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that they would give impetus to the partnership between our country and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and bring it to a qualitatively new level. In this context, the Head of State emphasized Turkmenistan's readiness for further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation with this major international financial organization. At the conclusion of the meeting, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso, expressed confidence in the successful continuation of bilateral cooperation and exchanged best wishes.