On April 15, 2025, was held a meeting between the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Croatia with residence in Bucharest A.Annaev and the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Mr. Gordon Grlic Radman.
The agenda of the meeting included a wide range of issues affecting various areas of bilateral cooperation, including political and diplomatic interaction, trade and economic, as well as cultural and educational partnership. The parties also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
Particular attention was paid to the development of trade and economic cooperation. It was emphasized that regular meetings, business forums and exhibitions contribute to the establishment of direct contacts between the business circles of the two countries.
The importance of intensifying the work of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Croatian Commission on Economic Cooperation was noted. In this context, the parties exchanged views on expanding cooperation in such industries as mechanical engineering, shipbuilding, pharmaceutical, chemical, food, woodworking, construction, including seaports, tourism infrastructure, processing industry, high technology, science, education and a number of other areas. In addition, the parties noted the need to intensify cooperation between the Ministries of Education and higher education institutions of the two countries.
On the same day, A. Annaev met with the Co-Chair of the Romanian part of the inter-parliamentary Turkmen-Croatian friendship group, Mr.Goran Kaniski.
During the conversation, the Turkmen diplomat emphasized the importance of intensifying the inter-parliamentary dialogue and called the creation of the above-mentioned friendship group in 2016 an impetus in bilateral cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.
In this context, it was proposed to organize the first meeting of this group in the near future. The parties agreed that the inaugural meeting should be held in Ashgabat.
Speaking about Turkmenistan’s active work in the international arena, the parties noted the potential of the country’s positive Neutrality in implementing the tasks contained in the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the afternoon, Ambassador A. Annaev met with the Director of the Directorate for International Cultural Cooperation and European Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Anja Jelavic.
The Turkmen side, in order to further develop the established good level of contacts between the two sides, as well as to promote the deepening of intercultural ties between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Croatia, proposed holding events within the framework of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Mahtumkuli Fraga, as well as the participation of delegations of the Republic of Croatia this year in various international events and festivals held in Turkmenistan.
A separate topic of the meeting was the issue of the possibility of holding Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Croatia.
The Director noted the desire and interest of the Croatian side in cooperation with the Turkmen side in the field of culture and cultural exchange, participation in mutual events, as well as in establishing a long-term partnership with Turkmen museums. The possibility of mutual visits of music, dance, theater groups to both capitals was expressed.
In conclusion, the parties agreed that cultural diplomacy is an integral part of bilateral relations.