[{"bbox": [96, 179, 1134, 366], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is aligned with the EU's policy first principle, the commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the new European Consensus on Development, the external dimension of the European Green Deal, as well as other main priorities of the European Union. **It will contribute in particular to the SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals and to the SDGs 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 12 (responsible production and consumption), and 13 (climate action). The Action is furthermore aligned with the priorities of Turkmenistan's National Development Plan 2019-2025.**"}, {"bbox": [96, 391, 1134, 472], "category": "Text", "text": "The Cooperation Facility will allow for an **enhanced coordinated approach**, promoting synergies with other EU policies. The Action complements ongoing regional programmes as well as regional Team Europe Initiatives on Digital Connectivity and on Water, Energy and Climate Change."}, {"bbox": [96, 472, 1134, 551], "category": "Text", "text": "It is expected that the Action will be **complemented by additional funds from thematic and regional programmes** and blending facilities, to ensure the EU's credibility as a dialogue partner for Turkmenistan and other development partners."}, {"bbox": [87, 565, 505, 595], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 1.3 Zone benefitting from the Action"}, {"bbox": [87, 611, 885, 638], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action shall be carried out in Turkmenistan, included in the list of ODA recipients."}, {"bbox": [87, 664, 322, 696], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [87, 730, 233, 757], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 776, 1134, 989], "category": "Text", "text": "Turkmenistan was long considered one of the most secretive and closed countries in the world. The Constitution formally recognises the division of powers and guarantees fundamental freedoms, but these provisions are not implemented. The government maintains strict control over the population, suppressing dissent and limiting freedoms of expression, assembly and association. Human rights organisations report arbitrary detentions, the lack of due judicial process, and the persecution of political opponents and activists, including abroad. Over the past months, Turkmenistan has made some progress on human rights, including by starting cooperation with the ILO on addressing forced and child labour. Upon Turkmenistan's invitation, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights visited the country twice (former EUSR Gilmore in April 2023 and EUSR Skoog in June 2024)."}, {"bbox": [96, 1014, 1134, 1122], "category": "Text", "text": "Turkmenistan relies heavily on its vast natural gas reserves, being the fourth largest producer globally, with a majority of its exports going to China. Development of processing industries and diversification of exports are stated objectives of the economic development policy. GDP growth recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic but depends on fluctuating energy prices."}, {"bbox": [96, 1147, 1134, 1282], "category": "Text", "text": "Since 2022, Turkmenistan has taken some steps to improve its image and engage with international partners, including the EU. This is partly due to the transition of power from the former President to his son Serdar Berdimuhamedov in March 2022, but also to Turkmenistan's interest in diversifying its foreign policy orientation following Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Turkmenistan is taking steps towards opening the country to new economic opportunities and technology."}, {"bbox": [96, 1306, 1134, 1572], "category": "Text", "text": "The relations between Turkmenistan and the EU were established in November 1993. They are based on an Interim Agreement on Trade from 2010. The ratification of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Turkmenistan, signed in 1998, is pending due to human rights concerns of the European Parliament. Over the past months, Turkmenistan has signalled greater readiness to engage with the EU, including through the participation of Foreign Minister Meredov in the EU-Central Asia ministerial (Luxembourg, October 2023), the endorsement of the Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia and the active participation in the Global Gateway Investors' Forum on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and Central Asia (Brussels, January 2024) and in the official launch of the Coordination Platform (Astana, June 2024). Turkmenistan has expressed interest in greater cooperation notably on energy – diversification of gas exports, methane emission reduction, hydrogen and renewable energy, connectivity and education."}, {"bbox": [1034, 1680, 1141, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 21"}]