Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Belgium Sapar Palvanov met with the Secretary General of ENCATC (European Network on Cultural Management and Policy), Giannalia Cogliandro Beyens, and the founder of the creative agency Caravan Cultura, Elena van Kharitonova. The participants explored the prospects for cultural cooperation and the reinforcement of ties between Turkmenistan and Europe.
As a leading European platform for cultural management and policy, ENCATC plays an active role in the professionalization of the cultural sector, the development of sustainable cultural initiatives, and the creation of a dialogue space for international exchange of experience and knowledge. ENCATC is also an official partner of UNESCO and an observer in the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Culture, underscoring its importance as a key participant in global cultural processes.
The meeting highlighted the importance of harmonizing Turkmenistan’s peaceful foreign policy, based on neutrality and principles of peaceful dialogue, with cultural diplomacy as a means of fostering international closeness and understanding. The upcoming International Year of Peace and Trust in 2025 serves as a timely reminder of the importance of cultural diplomacy as a neutral and unifying force. Both parties emphasized that cultural bridges are among the most enduring and solid connections between nations, helping to strengthen trust and friendship.
One of the meeting’s key outcomes was the agreement to hold a dedicated exhibition of Turkmen crafts in Brussels in the first quarter of next year. This exhibition will introduce the European audience to Turkmenistan’s rich cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and art. The upcoming activities also include the planning of an ENCATC mission to Turkmenistan, aimed at fostering international cultural dialogue and providing a deeper understanding of Turkmen culture. This initiative will bring together artists and cultural figures from around the world, strengthening international cultural ties and expanding the audience acquainted with Turkmenistan’s unique cultural heritage.
Thus, both sides expressed their readiness for further cooperation focused on building a robust cultural bridge between Turkmenistan and Europe and promoting a culture of peace, which, like Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, serves as a foundation for stable and friendly international relations.