The President of Turkmenistan: Neutrality is fundamental postulate of domestic and foreign policy of our state

Speaking at the session of the Council of the Elders that opened in Ak Bugday etrap, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan being a peaceful state seeks for building the relations with all countries of the world based on mutual respect steadily pursuing the policy of positive neutrality. 

As is known, legal status of permanent neutrality of sovereign state was, at first, recognized by the United Nations General Assembly and later, it was supported by relative Resolutions. As for today, Turkmenistan is the only state that reflected this UN Resolution in its Main Law. 

The Head of the State noted that key provisions of legal status of permanent neutrality of the country are clearly formulated in the Constitution and that permanent neutrality recognized by the world community is a fundamental postulate of internal and foreign policy of our independent state. 

During his speech, the President made special mention of the importance that Turkmenistan attaches to consolidation and steadfast development of political, economic and cultural relations with the United Nations, European Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Organizations for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Non-Aligned Movement, Islamic Cooperation Organization and other competent international structures as well as with different countries of the world. 

At the same time, cooperation with the UN and representatives of its specialized agencies in our country like the UNDP, UNESCO, Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, Office on Drugs and Crimes is improved and filled with new content. Fruitful dialog has been established with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for the Central Asia. 

The Head of the State has reminded that the UN General Assembly announced December 12 as International Neutrality Day and on April 19, 2017, our country was elected to the Executive Council of the UN Children Fund for 2018 – 2020 as well as to the Commission on Women Status for 2018 – 2020. 

The fact that during session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Turkmenistan was elected to three UN structure – the Commission for Science and Technology for Development for 2017 – 2020, Commission for Population and Development for 2016 – 2020 and Commission for Social Development for 2017 – 2021. 

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also noted that at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, our country has proposed comprehensive approach to provision of global cyber security. 

Final Declaration of International Sport Congress “2017 Asian Games: International Sport Cooperation for Peace and Progress” has been distributed as a document of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly. Based on this document, Turkmenistan plans to conduct the 7th International Conference of Ministers and Leader accountable for Sport and Physical Training under the UNESCO aegis, - the Head of the State said. 

This year, our country is bearing the duties of the Chairman of the Energy Charter International Conference. Election of Turkmenistan to such competent international structures is a bright evidence of comprehensive support of peace-loving policy of our neutral state based on traditions of good-neighbourliness and humanity for the interests of the humankind by the world community. 

Being committed to the principles of neutrality legally stated in our Constitution, we would continue pursuing the policy of openness, friendship and wide international cooperation, which entirely meets not only our national interests but the interest of the world community as well, targets of global peace, security and prosperity, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has said.