Ashgabat, 9 September 2026 – H.E. Luc Devigne, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union to Turkmenistan, presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat today.
During the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov congratulated Ambassador Devigne on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic mission, as well as in further strengthening relations and cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of increasingly close engagement between the European Union and Central Asia. On 4 April 2025, the first-ever EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand elevated relations to a strategic partnership and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to strengthening relations with the region, including in the areas of connectivity, trade and investment, energy, sustainable development and people-to-people contacts.
As part of his official programme, Ambassador Devigne also laid flowers at the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan and visited the Turkmenbashy Ruhy Mosque and the adjacent Turkmenbashy Mausoleum, where he laid flowers at the mausoleum.
On the same day, Ambassador Devigne also met with H.E. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, presenting him with copies of his Letters of Credence. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the current state of EU–Turkmenistan relations and priorities for further strengthening cooperation.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Devigne stressed to the media that the EU is a peace project, and that there is a high level of convergence of views between the EU and the neutral Turkmenistan concerning the need to resolve global conflicts in line with the international law.
Ambassador Devigne brings extensive experience in EU external relations, with a particular focus on Central Asia. He joined the European Commission in 1996 and subsequently held senior positions in the Directorate-General for Trade and the European External Action Service, including as Director and Deputy Managing Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In these roles, he was closely involved in EU relations and negotiations with countries across the region.
As EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Luc Devigne will lead the EU Delegation in Ashgabat and represent the European Union in its engagement with the Turkmen authorities and partners. He will work to further strengthen the EU–Turkmenistan partnership and to translate shared interests into concrete cooperation and tangible results. ///EU Delegation to Turkmenistan, 9 Sep 2026