Ashgabat hosts the session of the Council of the CIS Foreign Ministers

Turkmen capital hosted the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was a final stage of preparation to the Council of the Heads of the CIS states on October 11.

Heads of foreign departments of the CIS countries – the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan, have come to Ashgabat on the day before.

Delegation of the CIS Executive Committee was led by the Chairman, Executive Secretary of the Commonwealth of Independent States Sergey Lebedev.

The Council of the CIS Foreign Ministers is an executive authority of this structure, which coordinates foreign activity of members states including their work in international organizations, consults on the issues of the world politics, which present common interest, based on the decisions of the Council of the Heads of the States and the Council of the Heads of the Governments.

The agenda of current session, which was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, included drafts of some documents aimed at the intensification of cooperation in humanitarian sphere, provision of security and other directions.

Before the session, the heads of foreign departments had several different format meetings including Russian Federation – Central Asian countries. In addition, the heads of foreign departments delegations of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have signed the Protocol of exchange of certificates on ratification of the Contract between three countries on Border Connection Point.

The session of the CIS CFM has started from the discussion of the issues in narrow format, the Heads of foreign departments exchanged the views on current aspects of international relations and cooperation in the CIS space.

It was repeatedly mentioned by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that Turkmenistan sees the necessity of enforcement of political and diplomatic cooperation by expansion of cooperation between foreign departments of the CIS countries, establishment of actual mechanisms of regular, multilateral political consultations based on mid-term programme of activities in this sphere.

In this regard, Turkmenistan developed draft Programme of activation of partnership between foreign departments of the Commonwealth states, which was approved by the experts and adopted by the ministers at the session. This document is to give targeted character to joint work, to provide favourable conditions for realization of coordinated for solution of current issues of international agenda.

All of this is directly related to the plans of fulfilment of national objectives of development of every state of the CIS, course of regional and world processes. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov urges to activate the support of the UN in different directions, to strengthen its authority as a guarantee of total peace and security, which is the main pilar of modern architecture of international relations.

Our country highlights provision of peace and security, support of regional stability, counteraction against such threats as terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, illegal migration, among priority spheres of cooperation with the UN. Problem of information security, combating against cyber threats gains more currency these days. Active cooperation with the UN specialized structures is necessary in this sphere.

As is known, there are acute issues of disarmament, provision of non-spreading and control of arms. In this regard, Turkmenistan proposes to resume the work under the Joint Consultative Commission on Disarmament for exchange of visions and coordination of activities between the Commonwealth members.

At the same time, it is important to consolidate efforts for activation of work and improvement of efficiency of multilateral disarmament mechanism of the UN, continuation of close cooperation under the first Committee of the Un General Assembly, the Conference for Disarmament, and UN Commission for Disarmament.

It was highlighted at the session that the subjects of strengthening of strategic security, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov points out, are related to all participating countries. Therefore, cooperation in strengthening of global stability, development and promotion f political and diplomatic measures aimed at elimination of negative factors is a common objective.

Attention of the diplomats of the Commonwealth was focused on such important instrument as preventive diplomacy. This is a prevention and an elimination of root causes, which originate situations in international relations, that are able to make efficient influence on the processes in the world. The CIS countries have some experience in this direction.

In particular, working together under the aegis of the UN Centre of Preventive Diplomacy, the countries of Central Asia have established working mechanisms of development of solutions of objectives for political, social and economic, humanitarian development of the region for 12 years of work. In this aspect, Turkmenistan is ready for detailed discussion of issues related to creation of similar mechanisms on the Commonwealth space.

Turkmen sides considers formation of positive international agenda as one of important directions of cooperation between foreign departments of the CIS states, for which the practice of consultations has to be continued to coordinate the positions of the country on priority subjects in the UN General Assembly.

Number of consensual resolutions have been adopted by the UN General Assembly in the last few years by the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. In this regard, on behalf of the Government the gratitude has been expressed the foreign ministers of the CIS countries for support of the proposals of Turkmenistan in the sphere of energy stability, sustainable transport and environment protection.

The country will celebrate an important date of its history next year – 25th anniversary of neutrality. We pay special importance to this event including in the context of requirement of peace-making potential of neutrality in solution of serious international issues. Institution of new date in the world political calendar – International Neutrality Day, by the UN General Assembly initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is confirmation of importance of neutrality during fulfilment of these objectives.

Thus, the ultimate positive importance of neutrality as an important factor of modern world politics, its correspondence with long-term strategic goals of the UN has been confirmed.

International Conference for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development will be held in our country on December 12, 2020. The ministers of foreign affairs of the CIS countries have been invited to take part in this forum and ceremonial anniversary events.

The documents, which would be presented for signing at the Council of the CIS Heads of the States on October 11, have been also finally approved. It includes the Draft Application of the CIS Heads of the states to the peoples of the Commonwealth and world community in regard to the 75th anniversary of Victory of Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945, which was proposed by Turkmenistan together with the CIS Executive Committee.

Resolute commitment of Turkmenistan to close beneficial cooperation under the CIS, confidence of the country that such format of interstate cooperation meets long-term interests of our nations and countries and is an important factor of support of strategic and regional stability has been confirmed at the session of the Heads of foreign ministries.

There is no doubts that the Commonwealth is able to become one of efficient centres of trade, economic, transport, logistic, energy cooperation in Eurasia and Turkmenistan is willing to make its contribution to development of these processes and to achieve the fulfilment of set objectives together with the CIS partners.

Photographing ceremony on the background of official banner of the CIS Forum took place after the ministerial level meeting.

After, the session was continued in extended compositions with participation of the members of delegations. It has been mentioned that combining successful solution of objectives of own development and active participation in international affairs, Turkmenistan considers the cooperation with the CIS countries as an important direction of its foreign policy. While being a neutral state, the country puts all efforts for realization of this status for strengthening of stability and security on the planet, universal economic, political and cultural progress.

Standing for expansion of constructive international cooperation, which meets time demands, Turkmenistan builds interstate relations on the principles of maximum accounting of the interests of the sides, long-term and reliable partnership, goodwill, non-interference to internal affairs, permanent dialog of cultures and civilizations, exchange of best practice and positive ideas.

Corresponding with goals and Charter of the UN and meeting fundamental interests of Turkmen and all nations of the world, these principles support the construction of firm bridges of trust and friendship with foreign countries, especially with neighbouring ones.

Current priority directions of cooperation have been voiced in the aspect of importance of economic cooperation under the CIS, which is to enrich bilateral relations, to fill regional and international relations with new content, to support efficient integration of the CIS countries to global economic processes.

Activation of cooperation between foreign departments of the CIS countries, giving more systematic and long-term character are aimed at this. Turkmenistan also calls for consolidation of efforts in provision of security, stability, counteraction against modern challenges, practical achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It was stated that in 2019, foreign departments of the Commonwealth countries were working according to approved plans and programmes, rendered support to the activity of statutory bodies, profile councils, committees and commissions of the CIS. In this regard, gratitude has been expressed to the foreign ministers for support of Turkmenistan during implementation of the functions of the chairing country of the CIS.

Chairman of the Executive Committee – the CIS Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev informed the participants of extended session on the results of the narrow format meeting. He has also informed on decision to hold next session of the CFM in the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 3, 2020.

Draft Provision on the CIS Games and relative decisions of the Council of Foreign Minsiters and Council of the Heads of the states of the CIS have been reviewed at the session.

They have been developed for launch of new unique by scale sport project under the Commonwealth. It is planned to organize the Games in Olympic and most popular national non-Olympic sports and disciplines.

The project is aimed at improvement of sport skills and gaining of practice of participation in international competitions by sportsmen, coaches and other specialists. The Commonwealth Games will support the protection of national sports and of the CIS members, popularization and development of them on international level.

The Games, which are planned to be held in the CIS countries in turn once in two year for ten days, will be accompanied by cultural programme and scientific and practical events for physical training and sports. At the same time, they will be opened for the participation of the teams from the countries, which are noted the members of the CIS.

This project, which was approved by the ministers, is planned to be brought out to the review of the Council of the CIS Heads of the governments. It is worth adding that Russian Federation organizes the first CIS Games in Kazan in 2020.

Press conference with participation of representatives of national and foreign new agencies, international mass media took place after the ceremony of documents signing on the level of the CIS CFM. Specific decisions, which were made on development of cooperation in different spheres, have been presented at the press conference.

The guests of Ashgabat have expressed big gratitude to Turkmen side for an excellent organization of work of the session of the Council of foreign ministers of the Commonwealth. Completion of coordination process of important document, which was initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, - the Programme of activation of partnership in foreign policy sphere between the CIS countries, was named as one of the results of the session.

As it has been already mentioned, this important and timely document gives orientation for entire further activity in international organizations and other platforms including regional structures.

Draft Application of the Heads of the CIS states to the people of the Commonwealth and world community on occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941 – 1945 as well as other strategic decisions aimed at intensification and strengthening of the CIS potential have been adopted.

According common opinion of all participants of the Forum, the session of the Council of the CIS Foreign Ministers in Ashgabat was held in constructive format and had fruitful character, having become an important stage on the way of improvement of efficiency of cooperation between the Commonwealth countries for the sake of our nations.

It was informed that in general, wide range of subjects related mostly to the agenda of coming session of the Council of the CIS Heads of the States, has been reviewed during the session of the CFM.

Preparation to coming session was oriented at the taking of important decisions, which would outline long-term programme goals and specific mechanisms of promotion of multilateral partnership in wide spectrum of directions, by the leaders of the countries.

On October 11, Ashgabat will host the Summit of the CIS Heads of the States as a capital of the country chairing the Commonwealth. It is worth reminding that decision on delegation of Turkmenistan as a chairing country of the CIS in 2019 has been made by the Supreme authority of the Commonwealth – the council of the CIS Heads of the States, in Dushanbe on September 28, 2018.

Chairing of Turkmenistan in the CIS in 2019 is carried out according to the fundamental documents of the CIS and is aimed at steadfast realization of previous international agreements and decisions, saturation of the agenda of cooperation.

Improvement of trust between the states, support of stability and security, enforcement of political and diplomatic cooperation, enhancement of level of cooperation of the CIS with international organizations including the UN and OSCE, formation of conditions for activation of trade and economic cooperation, integration to the world economy were outlined as priority objectives in the concept of chairing of Turkmenistan.

Energy, transport and communications have been highlighted as the main spheres of partnership between the CIS countries. Big importance has big given to stimulation of wide cultural, humanitarian, scientific, educational and sport relations between he Commonwealth countries.

However, regardless from the chairing, our country always confirms that it is ready to be a ground for important integration processes. Turkmenistan often hosts big events related to the CIS activity including those, which are related to profile cooperation and humanitarian collaboration. In 2012, Mary was announced as the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In 2016, this honoured role was given to Dashoguz.

The efforts of Turkmenistan in trade and economic sphere are aimed at development of new approaches to joint activity, search of perspective forms of cooperation, definition of specific areas of multilateral collaboration.

In particular, the draft Declaration on strategic economic cooperation between the members of the CIS members has been brought out for review to the Council of the CIS Heads of the State in Ashgabat by the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The document is aimed at the establishment of effective mechanisms of partnership, which allow improving development of economic relations both under the CIS countries as well as in broader field of cooperation – with other states and international organizations.

The Ashgabat declaration is aimed at improvement of competiveness of the partners under the CIS through the involvement to the world economic relation as well as through unification of geographic and infrastructural capabilities, technical, technological and transit potential of the Commonwealth countries. All of these will strengthen their positions in global economy and will bring up the level of wealth of our nations.

Development of trade and economic cooperation between the CIS countries became one of the main subjects of discussion at the session of the Council of the CIS Heads of the Governments, which was held in Ashgabat on May 31 under chairing of Turkmenistan in this structure in 2019.

Speaking at this meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said about the necessity of systematic and addressed cooperation in bringing of the CIS countries to continental and intercontinental economic relation in the West – East and North – South directions.

According to Turkmen leader, the logic of modern global development dictates the necessity of strategic visions of perspectives of the Commonwealth, clear designation of its role as big economic entity, which is able to realize large-scale projects covering the CIS and neighbouring regions.

Therefore, Turkmenistan stands for the expansion of cooperation, persistently promotes the idea of participation of the CIS in realization of big transport, energy, communication projects on the continent.

Necessity of provision of firm peace and security in the Commonwealth, especially on the background of current complicated foreign processes observed in number of the world regions, is an important subjects highlighted by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov often. These issues were raised at the session of the Council of the CIS Foreign Minsiters chaired by Turkmenistan in Moscow on April 5, 2019.

Necessity of closer coordination of countries in international arena as well as in the context of the Action Programme for activation of partnership between foreign ministries of the CIS countries, which was approved by the CFM at current meeting, has been highlighted at the meeting.

The participants of the session have also spoken for expansion of economic cooperation under the Commonwealth of Independent States taking into consideration new forms and models of cooperation in this sphere and have paid special attention to activation fo cultural and humanitarian relations.

Cultural cooperation, which has become one of the main directions of activity of Turkmenistan while chairing the CIS, is an efficient form for rapprochement and respect between the nations. In this aspect, big success of the XIV Forum of Cultural and Scientific Personnel of the CIS, which was held under the aegis of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on May 15 -16, 2019, is remarkable.

Outcomes of its active two-day work on different grounds and in different formats as well as recommendations for further development of humanitarian collaboration in the Commonwealth were reflected in adopted Resolution.

In particular, the document expresses the call to support joint projects in the sphere of protection of cultural and natural heritage of the CIS countries aimed at development of professional cooperation of specialists in history, art, culture, museum and archive business, restoration, local history and protection of historical and cultural landscape.

Importance of expansion of cooperation of scientific, educational, cultural organziations, public associations for comprehensive study and popularization of languages, history and national traditions of the CIS countries has been noted.

The Ashgabat Resolution has become an impulse to new projects of formation of international art collectives in theatre, cinematography, television and other spheres. Objectives of development of common educational space of the CIS countries, electronic education, cooperation in science and innovations occupies special place in the document.

Following this, the decision on development of the draft International Programme of innovative cooperation of the CIS countries until 2030 has been taken at the session fo the Heads of the CIS Governments, which was held under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on May 31, 2019.

Not only this but many other documents, which are signed under the Commonwealth of Independent States chaired by Turkmenistan, are designated for long period. This is another evidence of the CIS commitment to wide partnership taking into account long-term perspective.

At the same time, Turkmen leader highlights that the CIS states have to use those objective advantages, which we have, first in geo-economics, for comprehensive, efficient and equal participation in global and continental processes.

Initiatives of Turkmenistan for binging of the partnership under the CIS to wide geographic and economic horizons are aimed at this in the first place. It is necessary to note the main role of Caspian Sea in the context of Eurasian economic collaboration and currency of proposal of Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the first Caspian Economci Forum, which was held in Turkmenbashy on August 12 this year.

Undoubtedly, the CIS potential, which is based on talent and hard work of the nations, beneficial geographic and economic potential, powerful industrial and rich resource potential and historical experience is great and versatile and has just started to be revealed.

Today, we can effectively support its implementation, maximum involvement of e=available capabilities – production, logistic, resource, scientific, technological, in order for the CIS to take the place among strong and positive entities not only in political life but also economic development in global scale.

Initiative of the President of Turkmenistan on development of conceptual document on strategic economic cooperation under the CIS is aimed at this. Its draft was presented by Turkmen side to the CIS Executive Committee and had preliminary approval in the Commonwealth countries and approved by the CIS Economic Council in September this year.

This document, which was called the Declaration of Strategic Economic Cooperation, was presented for signing at current session of the Council of the Heads of the CIS States. It is also planned to take number of important decisions supporting further consolidation of cooperation in the CIS format during coming Summit.