On May 19, 2023, a high-level plenary session on strengthening trade and economic relations between the European Union and Central Asia was held as part of the 2nd EU-Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty.

The goal of the High level Forum is to promote cooperation between the European Union and Central Asia countries in key areas such as green and digital transition, improving the business environment, as well as trade and connectivity opportunities, taking into account existing EU initiatives and strategies developed by governments of the Central Asia countries.

The event was attended by leaders and representatives of the governments of the Central Asian countries, as well as the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso, Vice President of the European Investment Bank Teresa Chervinskaya and heads of a number of international financial organizations. The Minister of finance and economy of Turkmenistan S.Joraev, who spoke at the opening of the forum, headed the delegation of Turkmenistan at the event.

As a result of the forum, a Joint Statement was adopted.

As part of participation in the forum, the head of the Turkmen delegation held a number of bilateral meetings with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Trade and Economy Valdis Dombrovskis, Undersecretary for Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Märt Volmer and Executive Director of the International Trade Center Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

During the talks, the current state and prospects for expanding cooperation in the field of transport, infrastructure, green energy, agriculture, oil and gas industry were discussed, and an exchange of views took place on attracting foreign investment in strategically important sectors of the economy of Turkmenistan.

Also, the delegation of Turkmenistan within the framework of the economic forum "EU-Central Asia" took part in a business forum, during which an exchange of views took place on facilitating business contacts between the countries of Central Asia and the EU.