At the seventh high-level meeting on Afghanistan between the European Union and Central Asian countries, senior diplomats stressed the need for enhanced regional cooperation to support stability and development in Afghanistan, according to a statement from Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Held in Brussels, the meeting brought together EU special representatives for Central Asia and Afghanistan — Tomas Szypula and Gilles Bertrand — as well as senior representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The discussions focused on security, humanitarian concerns, and economic conditions in Afghanistan, with participants underscoring the importance of coordinated regional responses.
“Following the 7th meeting of the EU-Central Asia Dialogue on Afghanistan, a commitment to continuing constructive engagement was reaffirmed,” the statement said.
Sardar Palwanov, Turkmenistan’s ambassador to Belgium, reaffirmed Ashgabat’s policy of “positive neutrality” and good-neighborly relations, calling sustainable development in Afghanistan critical to the region’s broader stability. He highlighted economic integration, infrastructure investment, and humanitarian engagement as key paths forward.
One focal point was the long-delayed TAPI gas pipeline project — a multibillion-dollar initiative to deliver natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India. Discussions also addressed electricity exports to Afghanistan and potential regional transmission projects aimed at boosting energy access in Afghan border provinces and creating jobs.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Turkmen delegation held bilateral consultations with EU envoys on cross-border water management, energy infrastructure, and regional connectivity. Turkmenistan reiterated its ongoing support for Afghanistan, including electricity supply, essential goods, and education initiatives.
At the close of the session, participants emphasized the value of continued dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Central Asia on Afghanistan, framing the meeting as a sign of “mutual trust and understanding” in addressing shared challenges.
The EU–Central Asia High-Level Meeting on Afghanistan is part of an ongoing diplomatic initiative aimed at fostering regional cooperation in response to the crisis in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Launched in 2021 and now in its seventh round, the dialogue brings together European Union officials and representatives from the five Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — to coordinate humanitarian support, promote regional security, and explore economic integration projects involving Afghanistan.
While the Taliban remain diplomatically isolated and unrecognized, the countries of Central Asia, many of which share borders and economic ties with Afghanistan, are increasingly engaged in discussions to stabilize their southern neighbor through infrastructure, trade, and humanitarian aid.
