During the first day of the official visit to Ashgabat, on 20 April 2023, EUSR for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore and the EUSR for Central Asia Terhi Halaka met with the Minister of Justice Turkmenistan Mr Merettagan Taganov. During the meeting, parties discussed importance of civil society, women’s’ rights and upcoming EU legislation on forced labour in the context of export of the Turkmen products to the European markets.
During the meeting with the newly elected Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Ms Dunyagozel Gulmanova, partners also focused on the planned legislation, especially wound women’t rights and domestic violence.
Meeting with the Interior Mr Minister Khydyrov, who has responsibility for police, prisons and security, EUSR for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore valued a frank discussion, including co-operation with international human rights mechanisms.
Finally, the day has ended with the meeting with the DPM Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. Mr Gilmore and Mr Meredov have exchanged views on various issues of cooperation, including women’s rights, forced labor, enforced disappearances and rights of persons with disabilities. Parties also addressed current bilateral agenda, as well as on the further development of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU in bilateral and multilateral formats. The parties noted the similarity of the positions of Turkmenistan and the EU on many issues of international and regional politics.
In this context, the Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan noted the importance of regular meetings of the Joint Committee “EU-Turkmenistan”, Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue, and Human Rights Dialogues. Also, as important events in this direction, the EU Culture Week in Turkmenistan held in Ashgabat last year, the Conference on Cooperation in education, the Conference on Green Energy were highlighted.
Today, EUSR for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore will hold the meetings with the Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan and the Director of the Institute of State, Law and Democracy.