On 23 February 2026, the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan held a meeting with a delegation led by Edvardas Bumšteinas, Head of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Department for Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific, according to the State News Agency TDH.
The agenda of the talks included the finalization of the draft Framework Agreement between Turkmenistan and the European Investment Bank, as well as prospects for partnership with the EIB in various economic sectors.
It was emphasized that throughout the past and current years, the Ministry has been reviewing the draft Framework Agreement between Turkmenistan and the EIB, outlining its positions on the document. In this regard, confidence was expressed that the final version of the Agreement would be coordinated during the delegation’s current visit.
The transport sector was named among the priority areas for cooperation with the EIB—specifically, the financing of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. This project is expected to significantly improve transport connectivity between the states of Central Asia and Europe. Furthermore, it was noted that measures are currently being taken within the SPECA Program to implement the Roadmap for the digitalization of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.
Considerable attention during the negotiations was devoted to the energy and water sectors. It was highlighted that, alongside the diversification of these industries, Turkmenistan is working on the development of clean, environmentally safe “green” energy. In this context, broad prospects were noted for the participation of European banks in sustainable energy projects and new initiatives being carried out in Turkmenistan.
In the fuel and energy sector, the Turkmen side emphasized the priority of projects related to hydrocarbon extraction and processing into finished products.
The meeting also touched upon the development of the agricultural sector and the rational use of water resources. In this regard, cooperation between the EIB and relevant institutions in Turkmenistan is supported for the construction of irrigation facilities and the introduction of high-tech equipment.
The European Investment Bank is the lending arm of the European Union. It is one of the largest multilateral financial institutions in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance./// nCa, 24 February 2026