Neutrality of Turkmenistan – the Focus of Scientists’ and Diplomats’ Attention

Today, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has hosted a virtual round-table meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality. The discussion brought together political scientists, rectors and teachers of specialized higher education institutions of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, as well as diplomats from the Central Asian Region.

“Neutrality of Turkmenistan is the present-day reality and our future that opens up new vistas for broad international partnership in all areas.

Being strongly committed to our international obligations, we are declaring with utmost seriousness our readiness for broad and active cooperation with international organizations for the sake of achieving our common constructive goals!” – the quotes taken from the speech delivered by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the International Conference “Turkmenistan and International Organizations: Cooperation for Peace and Development”, were the keynote of the meeting conducted via videoconferencing.

The meeting attendees noted the unique potential and positive role of Turkmenistan’s neutrality in promoting universal sustainable development.

The progressive peace initiatives by the head of state aimed to tackle global challenges, including political, economic and humanitarian, have won widespread acclaim today.

The implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals was named among the top-priority objectives for international cooperation. The SDGs have already been integrated seamlessly into the Program of Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2019-2025 and other sectoral programs and strategies developed on instructions from President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

A number of reports delivered at the meeting addressed the multifaceted relations between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation. In this context, the speakers highlighted a high level of interstate dialogue which is being built on the principles of mutual respect, constructive and strategic partnership.

The issues of Turkmen-Russian collaboration in the fields of science and education received special attention.

In particular, on October 2, 2017, the Agreement for Cooperation was signed between the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The parties spoke for maintaining close fruitful contacts, including in the fields of teaching and publishing research papers and articles on key issues of interstate relations. Proposals were also outlined for future cooperation on student exchanges and professional development of teachers.