BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 5. Turkmenistan and
the Netherlands discussed cooperation on methane emissions
reduction as part of efforts to expand economic ties.
This was reflected in a press release issued by the Turkmen MFA
following a meeting between Minister Rashid Meredov and Dutch Prime
Minister's Foreign and Defense Affairs Adviser Christoffer
Jonker.
According to the Ministry, in the course of the meeting, the
sides also discussed opportunities to involve Dutch businesses more
actively in projects in Turkmenistan. According to the ministry,
prospects for cooperation were reviewed in shipbuilding and
maritime infrastructure, healthcare, and innovative
technologies.
Moreover, the Turkmen side expressed readiness to facilitate
visits by executives of leading Dutch companies to Turkmenistan and
arrange meetings with relevant government agencies and business
representatives, the report notes.
Earlier, Dutch and Turkmen officials had already been working to
expand practical business cooperation. During a Dutch business
delegation's visit to Turkmenistan in 2026, discussions covered
industrial development, energy infrastructure, the Turkmenbashi
International Seaport and cooperation with state companies, while
Dutch company Mokveld Valves participated in meetings focused on
industrial and energy projects.
Methane reduction has also become an increasingly important
element of Turkmenistan's cooperation with European partners. Since
joining the Global Methane Pledge at COP28, the country has adopted
a 2025-2026 roadmap for international cooperation on methane
reduction and expanded work with the EU, GIZ, UNEP and other
international organizations on emissions monitoring, leak detection
and modernization of energy infrastructure.
The EU's "EU for a Green Turkmenistan" program also identifies
methane reduction as one of the key areas of climate cooperation,
while recent international assessments have noted progress in
repairing several major methane leak sources in the country.
