Maksat Chariev
AMBASSADOR OF TURKMENISTAN TO FRANCE
Politics & Diplomacy I Leader I The Investor Turkmenistan
_BIOGRAPHY Maksat Chariev, born on October 13, 1978, in Mary, Turkmenistan, graduated from Magtymguly Turkmen State University in International Business and Management. He served as a teacher at the university and later held diplomatic positions at the Turkmen embassies in Berlin and Paris. He worked at the Ministry of Education, then led the Department of International Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“TURKMENISTAN ACTIVELY COOPERATES WITH EUROPEAN COMPANIES IN KEY SECTORS SUCH AS INDUSTRY, TRANSPORT, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY.”
DURING YOUR TENURE AS THE AMBASSADOR OF TURKMENISTAN TO FRANCE, WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN STRENGTHENING DIPLOMATIC TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES?
One of the most significant achievements has been the deepening of cooperation between our countries in strategically important sectors such as water management, energy, healthcare, construction, and digital technologies. Special attention was given to infrastructure modernization projects, including water management—an exemplary case being the modernization of the Karakum Canal with the introduction of water-saving technologies. Successful collaboration with companies such as Bouygues, Vinci Construction, Airbus, Total, Thales, Cifal, Alstom, Technip, Sanofi, DGTL Logistics, and Dresser-Rand has strengthened our economic ties and contributed to Turkmenistan's sustainable development.
We highly value France for its active and constructive position on issues of global security and international relations. France was one of the first countries to recognize Turkmenistan's independence and the first European country to establish a diplomatic mission in our country. These historical ties underscore the seriousness of our bilateral relations and the high level of trust between our nations.
HOW HAVE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKMENISTAN AND FRANCE CHANGED DURING YOUR TIME IN OFFICE, AND WHAT KEY INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO ENHANCE COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR COUNTRIES?
In recent years, bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and France have continued to develop dynamically and strengthen. Special attention has been paid to strategic sectors such as energy, construction, aviation, communications, and digitalization. French companies like Thales and Thales Alenia Space play a key role in the development of Turkmenistan's space industry and the modernization of our airports.
During meetings with Thales Alenia Space representatives, plans for the creation of a second telecommunications satellite were actively discussed, which will be an important step in strengthening our digital infrastructure and expanding international cooperation.Moreover, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France continues to provide significant support to Turkmenistan's neutral status, which highlights the depth and seriousness of our diplomatic ties based on mutual respect and cooperation.
COULD YOU ELABORATE ON THE CURRENT INVESTMENTS OF FRENCH COMPANIES IN TURKMENISTAN? IN WHICH SECTORS IS THERE THE MOST INTEREST, AND HOW DO THESE INVESTMENTS CONTRIBUTE TO TURKMENISTAN'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?
French companies play a key role in the development of strategic sectors of Turkmenistan's economy, such as energy, construction, communications, healthcare, and water management. In particular, companies like Total and Engie are actively interested in participating in our country's oil and gas projects, as well as supporting initiatives for transitioning to renewable energy sources. The visit of an energy mission to Ashgabat in March 2023, which included representatives from Engie, contributed to further strengthening cooperation in this important sector.
Companies like Bouygues and Vinci Construction continue to implement infrastructure projects aimed at modernizing the national infrastructure and constructing new facilities, which significantly contributes to the country's sustainable development.Special attention is given to digitalization and space technologies. Companies like Thales Alenia Space, IGN FI, and Airbus Defence & Space are working on projects to create telecommunications satellites and implement a centralized electronic database for land plot and cadastral information management. These initiatives not only contribute to the development of Turkmenistan's digital infrastructure but also strengthen bilateral relations in technology and innovation.
ASIDE FROM FRENCH INVESTMENTS, HOW HAVE EUROPEAN COMPANIES INTERACTED WITH TURKMENISTAN DURING YOUR TIME IN FRANCE? ARE THERE ANY NOTABLE PROJECTS OR EXAMPLES OF COOPERATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT?
Turkmenistan actively cooperates with European companies in key sectors such as industry, transport, and renewable energy. Special attention is given to developing sustainable transport solutions, where European companies play an important role in designing and constructing railway routes. These projects contribute not only to improving internal infrastructure but also to strengthening international trade relations, which is of strategic importance for our country. European companies are also actively involved in projects related to agriculture and water management, which is an important element of Turkmenistan's economic diversification. Notably, projects in renewable energy play a key role in achieving environmental sustainability and reducing dependency on hydrocarbon resources.
One of Turkmenistan's priority foreign policy directions is the development of mutually beneficial and equal cooperation with the European Union. Today, our cooperation covers a wide range of issues, including political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian aspects. This interaction, based on a systematic approach within bilateral formats, provides a solid foundation for further expansion of cooperation. One of the pressing topics on the international agenda is the reduction of methane emissions and Turkmenistan's participation in the Global Methane Pledge, which underscores our commitment to addressing global environmental challenges together with our European partners.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKMENISTAN AND FRANCE? IN WHICH AREAS DO YOU SEE THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER COOPERATION AND MUTUAL BENEFIT?
We see significant potential for further deepening cooperation in key sectors such as energy, digitalization, the space industry, healthcare, and agriculture. France possesses unique technologies and expertise in these areas that can be adapted to meet the needs of Turkmenistan. I would especially like to highlight the prospects for cooperation within the framework of creating industrial clusters, especially in the new city of Arkadag. This project, based on "green" technologies, provides significant opportunities for French companies working in the field of sustainable development and high technologies. The space industry is also an important area for the further development of bilateral relations. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Thales Alenia Space in satellite technology, which will allow us to strengthen our digital infrastructure and expand international cooperation.
Furthermore, Turkmenistan is actively participating in international initiatives and preparing to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). We welcome further cooperation with France in supporting economic reforms and Turkmenistan's integration into the global economy. Thus, the prospects for cooperation encompass a wide range of areas such as energy, communications, healthcare, and agriculture, opening up new horizons for mutually beneficial partnership between our countries.