Today, the Turkmen people celebrate the International Day of Neutrality and the 28th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Resolution on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. This glorious holiday represents peace, stability, good friendly relations with all states, based on the principles of mutual respect and equal cooperation and, of course, the indestructible unity of the nation.

Early in the morning, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in a solemn ceremony of laying flowers at the Monument of Neutrality – a majestic memorial complex that personifies the Homeland’s unwavering commitment to the ideals of peace, creation and goodness.

December 12, 1995 – the International Community of Nations, by decision of its highest forum, recognized Turkmenistan as a permanent neutral state. All 185 UN member states voted unanimously for the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan”. Until now, no state has received such literally planetary support. And therefore, this significant event will forever remain a source of special pride for all Turkmen people.

Today we can confidently state that thanks to its neutral status, our country, which initially professes the principles of humanism and true democracy, is successfully solving strategic problems of social and economic importance. An example of this is, among other things, the high dynamics of growth in all areas, which allowed our state to gain high international authority.

The creative initiatives launched by Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov are now being successfully implemented by Arkadagly Serdar and are widely supported by the world community, serving as a reliable platform for productive international interaction.

In confirmation, it should be noted the exceptional importance of the constructive proposals voiced by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov at the 78th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. These include ensuring peace and security on the planet, achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including strengthening international cooperation in such areas as energy, transport, ecology and climate change, as well as the humanitarian sphere.

In accordance with the Concept of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan for 2022-2028, great importance is attached to strengthening fruitful ties with various countries of the world, with the UN, EU, CIS, SCO, OSCE, Non-Aligned Movement, OIC and other authoritative structures. Interaction with the representative offices of specialized institutions of the Community of Nations located in our country – the Development Program, UNESCO, Population Fund, Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, etc. – is enriched with qualitatively new content.

It should be noted that during the next meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), our country was unanimously elected to the Commission on Population and Development for the period 2024-2028. This is further evidence of recognition in the world of the domestic and foreign policies of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as the growing authority of Turkmenistan on the world stage and the country’s great contribution to the development of international relations and the expansion of regional and global cooperation.

In the light of modern realities, the significant role of Turkmen neutrality and the demand for its potential are once again being confirmed. One eloquent example of this is the activities of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, which today includes more than 20 states. Among them are the co-authors of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” of 1995 and 2015, “International Day of Neutrality” and “The Role and Importance of the Policy of Neutrality in Maintaining and Strengthening International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development”, adopted , respectively, in 2017 and 2020.

Regular meetings within the framework of this multilateral dialogue are intended to facilitate the development of a sustainable political and diplomatic mechanism for promoting the principles of neutralism in international relations and strengthening fruitful cooperation in the interests of general well-being.

Thus, on December 11 of the current year, a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development was held in the Turkmen capital in a hybrid format, during which the role of our country in promoting constructive international dialogue and the active use of tools for strengthening global peace was highly appreciated and safety.

In general, steadily realizing its neutral status, which is the cornerstone of its foreign policy, our state is increasingly involved in global processes, making a significant contribution to international dialogue in the name of peace and harmony, the affirmation of the highest ideals of humanity.

The congratulatory Address of the President of the country to the people of independent neutral Turkmenistan notes that the status of permanent neutrality of our country, twice recognized by the United Nations, is a great value of our people. Peaceful life on Earth is determined by the friendship of peoples, humanism, mutually beneficial cooperation and progress. Strictly following the fundamental ideals of our positive neutrality, recognized by the world community and enshrined in the Basic Law of Turkmenistan, we systematically develop cooperation with all interested countries and authoritative international organizations.

In accordance with our policy, reflected in the mottos “The State is for the People!”, “The State is a State Only with the People!”, systematic work is being carried out to comprehensively develop the country, improve the living conditions of the people, and increase the global authority of our neutral state. Using advanced technologies, international transport corridors are being formed, high-speed highways, large industrial enterprises, social facilities, modern residential buildings, new cities and villages are being built, the Address of the Head of state emphasizes.

… Thousands of our compatriots and guests, representatives of foreign delegations arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the international conference “Dialogue is a Guarantee of Peace”, as well as a high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, gathered in the square in front of the majestic complex.

Among the ceremony participants were the leadership and representatives of the Mejlis, deputy prime ministers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, the khyakim of Ashgabat city, ambassadors of Turkmenistan to foreign countries, heads of diplomatic missions and international structures accredited in our country, elders, representatives of public organizations, and Mass Media.

The presidential car arrives at the festively decorated square in front of the Neutrality Monument. Everyone warmly welcomes the Head of Turkmenistan with great enthusiasm.

The Head of state walks along the carpet, where the valiant warriors of the National Army – worthy successors to the glorious traditions of the courageous ancestors of the Turkmen people – lined up in the Guard of Honor.

The National Anthem of Turkmenistan sounds solemnly.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov lays a wreath at the foot of the Neutrality Monument, which personifies the triumph of the high fundamental principles of the Turkmen people – peace, good morals and humanism.

Following the Head of state, the Chairman of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers and other participants in the celebration laid wreaths and bouquets of flowers.

From year to year, the celebration of the International Day of Neutrality, which has become a vivid embodiment of the ideals of peacemaking, good neighborliness, kindness and creation professed by the Turkmen people, is widely and solemnly held in our country, drawing into its orbit both gray-haired elders and the younger generation of Turkmen citizens, raised from the cradle in the spirit of honoring the peace-loving traditions of our people.

The unique legal status, which fully corresponds to the ancient traditions and national mentality of the Turkmens, has opened up wide opportunities for the consistent implementation of the peaceful foreign policy course of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which meets the interests of not only our people, but also all of humanity.

At the end of the ceremony, the head of state warmly said goodbye to its participants and left the venue.