A highlight of the Turkmen delegation's busy visit to the United Kingdom was a meeting between Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Professor of the Institute of Archaeology at University College London (UCL) Timothy Williams. This deeply symbolic meeting resulted in the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the UCL Institute of Archaeology, which opens a new chapter in the study and preservation of the country's priceless historical heritage.

The Turkmen side expressed its deep gratitude to Professor Williams for his long-standing contribution, spanning more than 20 years, to the study of Ancient Merv. Tim Williams, a recognized expert on the Silk Road and one of the initiators of its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, has long led the international Ancient Merv project—a unique collaboration between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the State Reserve, and UCL.

Today, this partnership is reaching a new technological level. Professor Williams currently leads the large-scale "Archaeological Landscapes of Central Asia" project, aimed at creating a highly accurate geospatial inventory of sites across the region—from Kazakhstan to Xinjiang.

The new agreement encompasses not only joint expeditions and the development of museum and exhibition activities, but also the systematic training of young Turkmen specialists at one of the world's leading archaeological centers.

Thus, the visit to London linked Turkmenistan's ambitious future with its glorious past, confirming that a respectful attitude toward the origins of civilization remains the foundation of modern progress.