OREANDA-NEWS. December 3, 2008. Ashgabat welcomes guests again: a regular meeting in the EU-Central Asia format called upon to specify the priorities of co-operation in such strategic fields as preservation of the environment and water resources has opened in the Turkmen capital today. 
Representation of the Central Asian countries – Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia and Iran and the EU member states including Italy co-chairing this year’s meeting by the government officials, heads and leading specialists of the water industry departments and nature conservation agencies at the forums testifies to the urgency of matters under discussion.

The foreign guests will participate in three forums – the EU-Central Asia Conference, the 12th meeting of the EU Water Initiative – Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Working Group and the 52nd meeting of the Interstate Coordination Water Commission (ICWC).

Playing the key role in the Central Asian region and resolutely integrating in the global economic system Turkmenistan puts forward more often the international initiatives on efficient water resources use as well and this representative forum is a vivid illustration of that. As is known during the official visit this summer to Romania which will chair the EU Water Initiative EECCA Working Group for the next two years President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov first offered to provide assistance in holding the thematic international conferences and meetings in Ashgabat.

By pursuing the policy of wide international co-operation Turkmenistan profoundly contributes to maintaining global peace and stability. This active position demonstrated by Turkmenistan and its partners inspires with more confidence in successful continuation of the dialogue with the EU member states as well as elaboration of the regional strategy for efficient use and preservation of water resources in Central Asia which will foster economic development and security of the entire region.