The press service of the Turkmen government reported that the EU strategy in Central Asia envisaging more intensive political, economic, ecological and humanitarian cooperation, both on the bilateral and regional basis, was approved in 2007 by the EU supreme body – the European Council, Itar-Tass reported.

The Ashgabat "five plus three" meeting agenda includes issues of expanding the dialogue in the sphere of education, law, economy trade, energy industry, protection of the environment, as well as prospects for cooperation in countering common threats, including control of borders and combating drug trafficking.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov will receive the high guests, the press service reported. Bilateral talks between the EU troika and delegations of Central Asian countries are planned. The meeting participants will take part in the House of Europe office opening ceremony in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan has been cooperating with the European Union since 1991 mainly within the framework of the joint TACIS projects implemented in various spheres. In January 2008, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov approved the EU proposal on working out a draft memorandum of understanding in the expansion of energy cooperation.