Today, the first meeting of the Turkmen-Slovak joint commission on economic cooperation was held at the «Ýyldyz» Hotel in the capital, which was attended by representatives of ministries and sectoral departments of our country, as well as members of the delegation that arrived in Turkmenistan on a visit led by Vladimir Simonyak, deputy minister of economy of the Slovak Republic.

As is known, at the Cabinet of Ministers meeting held digitally on the 12^th of June, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a resolution establishing and approving the composition of the Turkmen-Slovak joint commission on economic cooperation, in order to further develop the partnership between the two countries. As the head of state noted, our country is engaged in productive cooperation with European countries, including the Slovak Republic.

Diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan and the Slovak Republic were established in 1993. Agreements reached over the past period in the areas of trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, mutual investment protection, transportation, and the tax system have created a solid foundation for the development of partnership between the two countries. Working closely together within the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, our countries regularly support initiatives of each other in the international arena.

Participants in the first meeting of the Turkmen-Slovak joint commission on economic cooperation expressed confidence that the current meeting will give new impetus to the development of relations between the two countries in priority areas of interest, based on the principles of mutual respect and trust. At the meeting, detailed information was presented on the existing economic potential of both countries and ways to increase bilateral trade turnover. As emphasised, the signing of the Agreement on economic cooperation between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Slovak Republic in August 2025, at the Third UN conference on landlocked developing countries, held in the «Avaza» National tourist zone, was an important event in the development of interstate relations.

The speakers noted that Turkmenistan, which is implementing a strategy of economic diversification, is open to productive dialogue through the active involvement of the best practices and technologies. Our country's vast resource base, advantageous geographic location, and favorable investment conditions have attracted considerable interest from numerous foreign partners, including business circles from Europe and the Slovak Republic, in exploring the promising Turkmen market.

The meeting discussed issues related to the development of Turkmen-Slovak relations in the trade and economic, fuel and energy, construction, transport and communications sectors, information technology, agriculture, environmental protection, healthcare and medicine, science, education, culture, sports and tourism. Interest was expressed in developing bilateral cooperation through joint investment projects, coordinating measures for accession of Turkmenistan to the World Trade Organisation, providing the oil and gas industry with equipment, enhancing interaction between transport and logistics agencies and companies, introducing highly effective methods in agriculture, expanding student exchanges, improving the qualifications of specialists, digital medicine and telemedicine, as well as protecting biodiversity and studying experience in the field of hydrometeorology.

Emphasising the enormous potential for expanding interstate relations, the meeting participants noted the importance of facilitating regular, well-established dialogue in areas of mutual interest. This will provide impetus for improving the legal framework for Turkmen-Slovak economic cooperation, establishing direct contacts between businesses, and, as a result, increasing bilateral trade. In this regard, representatives of ministries and industry agencies from both countries discussed specific tasks facing the Commission.

In conclusion, the Protocol of the first meeting of the Turkmen-Slovak joint commission on economic cooperation was signed. The parties developed appropriate steps to further develop mutually beneficial economic partnership.