The working visit of the Turkmen government delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, to London marked an important step in preparations for the launch of the new multilateral platform "Central Asia + UK."

Ahead of the first ministerial meeting in this format, a joint working lunch of the region's foreign ministers was held at the historic Lancaster House, attended by Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. During the meeting, the parties emphasized that the creation of a new six-party configuration will serve as a catalyst for deepening ties in technology, transport, and investment.

The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for the warm welcome, noting that Ashgabat views the UK as a partner with unique diplomatic experience. The humanitarian component of the dialogue highlighted the steadily growing demand for educational programs and English language learning in Turkmenistan. Projects such as the installation of a Shakespeare monument in Ashgabat, the holding of "Ceilidh" evenings, and the release of a BBC film about the Kopetdag leopards, which bring peoples closer together on cultural and environmental levels, serve as a vibrant backdrop for these developments.

The topic of security and the parliamentary segment of the visit also formed part of preparations for the regional dialogue. At the Royal Horse Guards base, Rashid Meredov, along with his colleagues from Central Asian countries, discussed security issues and professional training with UK Minister of State for Defence Lord Rodney Coker.

The topic of interparliamentary cooperation was continued at the Palace of Westminster during meetings with Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle and the All-Party Group on Cooperation with Central Asia, led by Pam Cox. These contacts confirmed the viability of the 2011 Memorandum and the willingness of British parliamentarians to support new integration initiatives in the region.

The economic block of meetings in the run-up to the summit focused on talks with EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso. The main topic was the bank's participation in the development of the East-West international transport corridor, for which Turkmenistan plays a key role. Rashid Meredov confirmed his readiness to consider specific investment proposals in logistics and sustainable energy.

The series of meetings with the Turkmen Foreign Minister in London not only strengthened bilateral ties but also informed the upcoming Central Asia-UK ministerial meeting on February 26, outlining Ashgabat's priorities in the new regional cooperation architecture.

On February 26, for the first time since 1991, the United Kingdom will host the foreign ministers of all five countries in the region for a joint summit chaired by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. This format marks London's strategic pivot toward the rapidly growing economies of Central Asia. The British government intends to focus on three key areas: ensuring the security of supply chains for critical minerals, supporting green growth projects to transition to sustainable energy, and significantly expanding English-language educational programs.

This agenda aligns with the priorities of Turkmenistan, which seeks to diversify its economic ties and introduce environmentally friendly technologies into its industrial sector.