“Supremacy Exists — But Rights Are Nowhere to Be Found”: What the EU–Turkmenistan Meeting in Brussels Really Reminds Us Of

On March 5, the 9th interparliamentary meeting between the European Union and Turkmenistan took place in the European Parliament in Brussels. The parties discussed political and economic cooperation, the regional agenda of Central Asia, the international situation, as well as issues related to the rule of law and social policy. The Turkmen delegation consisted of members of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, led by Maksat Kuliyev, Chairman of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations. The session on the European side was chaired by Giuseppina Princi, head of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Central Asia. According to official information, participants discussed expanding cooperation in the fields of economy and energy, developing educational and scientific programs, as well as strengthening regional transport connectivity and international transit routes, including the potential of the Turkmenbashi seaport. The importance of continuing dialogue and exchanging practices in the field of social policy was also emphasized. However, for many citizens of Turkmenistan such diplomatic language increasingly sounds detached from the realities of everyday life. Under the news about the meeting on the independent website “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”, a reader left a short comment that unexpectedly captured the public mood. “May God grant every powerful state its supremacy — but try finding actual rights; you won’t find them even with a torch in broad daylight.” (Source: comment by a reader on hronikatm.com) This ironic remark reflects a paradox that has long been discussed among citizens of the country. At international platforms, representatives of Turkmenistan regularly speak about reforms, dialogue and the rule of law. But in reality, citizens continue to face problems that are rarely mentioned at official meetings. For example: — obtaining or renewing a passport at Turkmen diplomatic missions abroad is effectively impossible; — independent journalism does not exist in the country; — civil activists and critics of the government face pressure and persecution; — serious social problems remain unresolved, including extremely low salaries, pensions and social benefits amid rising prices for basic goods. This is why the sarcastic comment by the reader may have become the most accurate reaction to the lofty diplomatic language. While “the rule of law” is discussed in the halls of European institutions, many citizens of Turkmenistan continue to ask a simple question: If supremacy exists — where are the rights themselves?