The model of Turkmen neutrality is the phenomenon of the international diplomacy

The International conference “The policy of neutrality and preventive diplomacy in international relations: Turkmenistan’s experience and its importance” took place in the conference hall of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. 

The forum dedicated to the 22nd anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan brought together the heads of foreign-policy agencies in foreign states, the heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations as well as teachers and students of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and journalists. 

According to those speaking during the forum, the strategy of the foreign-policy course pursued by the Turkmen state, the neutrality is not just a legal status of the country ratified at the international level that focuses only on the national interests. In fact, this is the unique embodiment of the world’s culture and development in the name of the universal interests. Turkmenistan’s activity at the international arena, in particular under the aegis of the United Nations Organisation, vividly testifies to the constructive character of the policy of positive neutrality. 

Today, the Turkmen diplomacy for the community of nations serves as a reliable, active and consistent partner in the peaceful activity with the aim to prevent and settle conflicts, ensure security and sustainable development. Turkmenistan’s efforts in the political and economic revival of neighbouring Afghanistan, including in the framework of the systematic implementation of a number of important international projects and initiatives, stand as a bright evidence of the task-oriented phenomenon of the policy of positive neutrality. 

Thus, recently, Ashgabat hosted the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA-VII) that was managed to promote the further consolidation of the joint efforts to develop the mutually agreeable approaches on the situation in Afghanistan, the peaceful revival and development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and, in general, the promotion of the economic integration in the regional and interstate level. 

The UN Regional Centre on Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is to promote the dialogue between the Central Asian states with the aim to prevent potential threats, strengthen stability and durability of the efficient interstate relations in the region. The neutrality and preventive diplomacy are the complementary mechanism that are actively used to find new constructive areas of international cooperation that meet the challenges of modernity. 

The fact that the Resolution on the Role of the UN Regional Centre on Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was unanimously adopted during the 55th plenary meeting of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly proves the efficiency of this ‘formula’. 

Speaking during the forum, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Asia, the Head of the UN Regional Centre on Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia underlined that the recognition of the neutral status of Turkmenistan by 185 states – members of the world community confirmed the stabilizing role of the Turkmen state in the international issues and had launched the new epoch in the foreign-policy dimension, marked by the active support of Turkmenistan to enhancing peace and security in the region and beyond. The bright evidence of the general recognition of the huge role of neutrality in maintaining the stability in the world was the Resolution on declaring the International Day of Neutrality on December 12, unanimously adopted by the UN general Assembly. 

Underlining that the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is of particular importance now, in light of the necessity to find the collective and constructive approach of the world community to counteract terrorism and extremism, the Head of the UN Regional Centre on Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia noted that the meeting “High-Level UN-Central Asian Dialogue on the Implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Central Asia” was held in Ashgabat on June 13, 2017 with the participation of UN Secretary General António Guterres. The important outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Ashgabat Declaration on Countering Terrorism. 

Particular attention was paid to the peacekeeping capacity of sports, achieved during the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games held in Turkmenistan in September, 2017. This critically important initiative stands as a bright example of the successful implementation of the mechanisms of preventive diplomacy, acting through the establishment and enhancement of humanitarian relations. This particular meaning was the reason for inviting the team of refugees to take part in the Asian Games and the unanimous adoption of the Declaration on Encouragement of Valuable Contribution of the Olympic Refugee Teams in Consolidation of Peace and Human Rights, initiated by the President of Turkmenistan, at the 36th session of the UN Council on human rights. The address was finished with the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: “The concepts of neutrality and peace are indivisible”. 

Those speaking during the meeting noted that Turkmenistan today is a rapidly developing state with good prospects, rich culture and history. The people of Turkmenistan by right can be proud of the impressive progress that the country has achieved in recent times. The political capital of Ashgabat in the region and the international arena grows with every passing year. Our country, as a neutral state, exercises the stabilizing function in the region and serves as a sample of mutually beneficial cooperation and good neighbourliness. This is, first of all, caused by the fact that the main characteristics of neutrality include tolerance, peacefulness, and the respect for other views and opinions. All these principles conform fully to our people’s mentality. 

It was also noted that the model of Turkmen neutrality is the phenomenon of the international diplomacy, given the fact that the country was declared the first neutral state in the modern history on December 12, 1995. Those speaking emphasized that the foreign-policy initiatives of neutral Turkmenistan that are bounded with the aspects of preventive diplomacy covered the sphere of the energy security, the transport infrastructure development, water and energy resources management. The forum participants focused on the importance of the initiatives put forward by the President of Turkmenistan in the sphere of energy security, water diplomacy, environment protection. 

Thus, the objective and comprehensive evaluation of Turkmenistan's foreign policy based on the peacekeeping strategy was another confirmation of the recognition of the Turkmen state and its national leader in the international arena as a very significant and respected political figure of the new world order. 

The thematic exhibition, arranged in the foyer of the Institute, was dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality and the 10th anniversary of the UN Regional Centre on Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia.