Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan took part in a meeting with Prince Edward

On 25 February 2026, a meeting was held at Lancaster House, the Government building of the UK Foreign Office, between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh during which the sides exchanged views on further strengthening Turkmen–British relations, emphasizing their steady development, particularly in the fields of culture and education.

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During a joint working lunch between the heads of foreign ministries of Central Asian countries and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, the importance of the upcoming first ministerial meeting in the “Central Asia – UK” format was noted as a significant step in bolstering multilateral cooperation.

The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and noted its respectful regard for the United Kingdom as a state with a unique cultural and diplomatic heritage. The significant potential for expanding cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian spheres, alongside the development of political and economic engagement was emphasized.

Special mention was made of the high level of interest in Turkmenistan for studying the English language and British culture, as well as the importance of educational and academic exchanges, including Chevening Scholarships.

As examples of an intensifying cultural dialogue, the parties cited the “Ceilidh” Scottish dance evening held in Ashgabat, the installation of a monument to William Shakespeare in the capital of Turkmenistan, and the release of a BBC documentary about the leopards of the Kopetdag mountains.