Transport and Energy Factor in Relations Between the EU and Turkmenistan

The article deals with relations between the EU and Turkmenistan through a complex framework of transport and energy infrastructure development. The authors argue that the development of infrastructure and logistics systems in Central Asia is closely linked to the EU’s energy security. Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in proven gas reserves and is a crucial player in Eurasian geopolitics. While Turkmen gas is currently sold primarily to China and Iran, the EU is interested in securing hydrocarbons to diversify its energy partners. However, Turkmenistan’s geographic location is an obstacle to the country’s exports. The article analyzes the interconnectedness of Turkmenistan’s transport and energy projects, the medium-term prospects for gas imports to the EU, key areas of Ashgabat’s energy policy, and incentives for deepening cooperation with the European Union. It is highlighted that, in the face of increasing international competition, the EU is focusing on countries in the region and promoting large-scale infrastructure projects. An “Interest-Sources-Activity” approach is proposed, describing a system for deploying economic diplomacy measures that can be assessed in terms of the comprehensiveness of economic and political dialogue, the involvement of key actors, and the implementation of specific initiatives. The authors see potential for developing this approach while elaborating comprehensive forecasting tools for foreign economic activity, with th

European Union, Central Asia, Turkmenistan, transport corridors, energy security, ISA