International Neutrality Day was celebrated for the first time in Turkmenistan.Celebration events of occasion of the holiday took place in the capital and regions of the country.
According to the traditions, celebration events has started with flower laying ceremony to the Neutrality Monument with the participation of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.The Chairperson of the Mejlis, members of the Government, leaders of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, hyakims of the velayats and the capital, deputies of National Parliament, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country, Turkmenistan ambassadors to foreign countries, honoured elders, youth, representative of non-governmental organizations and foreign companies, mass media as well as the participants of the conferences “UNRCCA: 10 Years of Cooperation with Central Asia for Peace and Prosperity of the Region” and “Policy of Neutrality and Preventive Diplomacy in International Relations: The Practice of Turkmenistan and its Importance” held on the day before gathered on the square in front of magnificent complex early in the morning.
Under the sounds of National anthem, the President went to the Neutrality Monument and lay flowers to podium of magnificent complex.After the Head of the State, the participants of official ceremony lay flowers to the Monument.
December 12, 1995 is the day of the adoption of the United Nations Resolution on permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan and marks the beginning of new stage of the history of our country.
For the first time in the world practice, the United Nations unanimously recognized our state to bear high title of peace-maker, active member and partner of the UN in the achievement of peace, security and progress.
The model of foreign policy strategy chosen more than two decades ago corresponds with the mentality of Turkmen nation, its historical and national traditions as well as the realities dictated by geographic location of Turkmenistan and its resource potential.
Basic criteria of neutrality peace-loving, respect of other nations, their interests and culture, acquired actual content in practical direction of the state policy in international arena, having confirmed the correspondence of the course of our country with the UN goals and its efficiency in combining of peace-making efforts in the region and on the planet.
It can be confidently stated today that the choice was timely and correct.Owing to neutral status, Turkmenistan successfully solve strategic objectives of social and economic importance.It is indicated by high dynamics of the growth in all spheres that allowed our state winning high international authority.
The initiatives proposed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov find wide support of the world community and serve as reliable platform for productive cooperation with interested countries and big organizations.The Head of the State noted for several times in his speeches the neutrality is not just legal status for Turkmenistan but also an active position, full-scale involvement to international processes through peace-making, support of the development of efficient models of economic cooperation as well as the solutions of the problems in the region and beyond its borders for the establishment of peace, security and creation of favourable conditions for sustainable development and progress.
This is the main meaning and the content of practical measures undertaken by Turkmen side in the world arena.According to the Concept of foreign policy course of neutral Turkmenistan in 2017 2023, the great importance is paid to the consolidation of fruitful relations with different countries of the world, with the UN, EU, CIS, SCO, OSCE and Non-Alignment Movement, ICO and other competent structures.
Cooperation with representatives of specialized agencies of the UN in our country like the Development Programme, UNESCO, Population Fund, Children Fund, World Health Organization, Drugs and Crime Department is filled with new content.
Election of our country to the Executive Council of the UN Children Fund in 2018 2020, the Commission on Women Status in 2018 2022 is another bright evidence of the authority of Turkmenistan.
The facts of the election of Turkmenistan to three UN structure the Commission of Science and Technologies for the Development in 2017 2020, the Commission on Population and Development in 2016 2020 and the Commission on Social Development in 2017 2020, are also worth mentioning.
Creative proposals made by our Turkmen state at the sessions of the UN General Assembly are aimed at further consolidation of the partnership under the UN Agenda on Sustainable Development until 2030.
To confirm that, exclusive importance of constructive initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the provision of energy security and reliability of pipeline infrastructure as well as on the establishment of global partnership in formation of new international system of transport and transit corridors are worth to be mentioned.
All proposals were supported by the UN members and laid down in Special Resolutions of the UN General Assembly.It is important to note other two events of the year indicating steadily growing authority of the country the distribution of the Final Declaration of International Sport Congress “2017 Asian Games: International Cooperation for Peace and Progress” as the document of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly and unanimous adoption of the Declaration on Encouragement of Valuable Contribution of Refugee Olympic Teams to Consolidation of Peace and Human Rights by Turkmenistan initiative at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland.
Chairing of Turkmenistan in International Energy Charter Conference in 2017 is another example of comprehensive support of peace-loving policy of our neutral state by the world community.At modern stage, permanent positive neutrality of Turkmenistan is considered as important factor of geopolitical balance, security and stability in the region.
Implementing its high status laid down in special document of the UN General Assembly, Ashgabat acquired the image of peace-making centre.This is indicated by large international forums held in our capital under the UN aegis as well as the opening of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) ten years ago.
The decision on declaration of December 12 as International Neutrality Day undoubtedly serves as visual confirmation that positive peace-making potential of Turkmenistan is not only highly appreciated but also practically demanded.
This fact is thought as remarkable event in our country that has symbolical and practical meaning and as common great success of international diplomacy.