Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held an extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers with participation of heads of diplomatic missions and consular services of Turkmenistan in foreign states and representations of our country at international organisations. Its agenda included priority issues of the foreign policy realised by our neutral fatherland on the world scene.
Having opening the meeting and having underlined that a big holiday - International Neutrality Day is marked on December 12, the head of the state warmly congratulated the gathered and in their persons, all Turkmen people on the glorious 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.
By tradition, we pardon the citizens who were convicted for their committed crimes, but regret for their criminal conduct and sincere repent, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said and continued his speech that noble actions to exempt from further punishment in this connection are regularly carried out.
Then, the floor was given to Secretary of the State Security Council, Chairman of the Commission for the preparation of proposals on issues of citizenship and pardon under the President of Turkmenistan B. Gundogdyev who reported on results of the work to pardon convicted persons in honour of International Neutrality Day.
Having heard the report, head of the state Serdar Berdimuhamedov, following this noble tradition, signed the Decree on pardoning of 231 citizens on the occasion of International Neutrality Day. Chairman of the Commission was instructed to take necessary measures together with heads of law enforcement bodies that, all who were released from places of their punishment, would return to their families in the near future.
The President of Turkmenistan wished the pardoned citizens to work and serve honesty their native land and enjoy fruits of their honest work.
Addressing participants of the meeting, the head of the state pointed out that today the work carried out in the sphere of international cooperation of Turkmenistan will be summed up as well as topical aspects of the foreign policy of the country and priority goals in the given area for the forthcoming year will be defined.
- In this activity we are guided by the legal status of permanent neutrality of our independent fatherland and the Concept of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028, - President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
Then, the floor was given to Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov who, first of all, on behalf of employees of the diplomatic corps of the country warmly congratulated the head of the state on the significant 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of our fatherland and International Neutrality Day and wished sound health, well-being and great successes in his state and international activities.
The Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads of diplomatic representatives and consular establishments of Turkmenistan abroad also expressed to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov his deep gratitude for the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers devoted to issues of the foreign policy of our fatherland held today.
As he marked, under the wise leadership of the head of the state and National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty Hero-Arkadag, our country realises the foreign policy according to the Concept of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan for 2022-2028.
As known, the basis of the modern foreign policy strategy of the country, which is based on principles of neutrality put by Hero-Arkadag, throughout many years consistently develops. Being the head of the state, the National Leader of the Turkmen people put forward the doctrine «Peace through development» which in practice confirms that development in all spheres is possible under the conditions of stability and peace.
The philosophy put forward by Hero-Arkadag «Dialogue - a guarantee of peace», being a new philosophical approach in the system of modern international relations, underlines the importance of solution of arising international and interstate issues exclusively by means of dialogue, in particular, via negotiations and political-diplomatic means.
At the same time, the principle initiated by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov «Peace and trust» urged to promote accelerated general sustainable development and strengthening of trust between peoples and states.
These initiatives form a uniform concept, which consists in the fundamental idea of the fact that peace provides progress, and trust, in turn, strengthens security and sustainable development.
The Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs marked that these important political doctrines form a reliable basis for consolidation of people and states in the conditions of modern international situation, definition of culture of peace and trust as a key factor of world policy. Our country takes an active part in realisation of these principles by means of the initiatives advanced on the world scene.
As he underlined, initiatives and proposals made by the head of the state in his speech at the plenary meeting of the 80th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization are aimed at enrichment of international cooperation of Turkmenistan with a qualitatively new content. It was in this connection noted that for their practical implementation, Turkmen diplomats would use their best efforts, actively co-operating with the United Nations and other international structures.
The Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs on behalf of employees of the diplomatic corps expressed his deep gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for his all-round assistance to the Service, in particular, created possibilities for effective activity, perfection of its organizational, legal, financial and material and technical basis, for his constant support in improvement of working conditions and life of employees.
In addition, he pointed out that support rendered by the head of the state is rather valuable for diplomats to train diplomats and increase of their qualification.
As known, professional specialists are necessary for successful realisation of the foreign policy in such areas as international diplomacy, law, economy, journalism and others. A special place is given to the Institute of International Relations, which at the initiative of Hero-Arkadag was opened on March 20, 2008 in training diplomats of the country. For the past 17 years, the national diplomatic school has trained hundreds of specialists. At present, they work in various establishments of the country, bringing a worthy contribution to successful realisation of the foreign policy of our state, augmentation of the international authority of our fatherland.
At the end of his speech, the Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs assured President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag that the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan will make all necessary for further effective realisation of the foreign policy based on the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, peace and good neighbourhood and wished the head of the state and the National Leader of the Turkmen people sound health.
Then, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, addressing participants of the meeting, underlined that at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization unanimously adopted the Resolution «2025 - International year of peace and trust». It became one of the significant political events. It was in this connection noted that important international actions during the current year were held.
The significance of the International year of peace and trust was essentially increased by the fact of coincidence of the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the United Nations Organization and glorious 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of our native land. This year, at the 61st plenary meeting of the 79th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Resolution initiated by our country «Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan» was unanimously adopted. The recognition of the status of permanent neutrality of our fatherland by the United Nations Organization three times clearly attests to consistency of our policy of neutrality, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said.
The international year of peace and trust as well as the glorious 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality are widely marked in our country and abroad: a number of significant thematic events were held, important documents were adopted.
In the current year, in the Avaza national tourist zone the Third Conference of the United Nations Organization on the land-locked developing countries was held at high level. Following the results of the Forum, which considerably increased the international authority of Turkmenistan, the Avaza political declaration was adopted and the Avaza program of actions for 2024-2034 was announced, the head of the state noted.
At the 18th plenary meeting of the 80th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, the Resolution «Avaza political declaration» was adopted unanimously.
With a view to strengthen notably the position of the policy of positive neutrality of our country in the national legislation, the Constitutional law “On the legal basis of the policy of peace and trust of neutral Turkmenistan» was adopted.
At the same time, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined that in promotion of the doctrine of peaceful disposition of our state on the global arena, an essential role will play a representative Forum of the International year of peace and trust to be held in the capital city Ashgabat within the next few days. This International forum will increase the authority of Turkmenistan as a peaceful state and will also display a great respect of the world community for our state, the Turkmen people and the policy of positive neutrality.
Visually reflecting the foreign policy of Turkmenistan, these events remarkably open the importance of work carried out by us for maintenance of universal peace, sustainable development and promotion of dialogue on the basis of trust.
In this regard, the head of the state pointed out the significance of further effective expansion of interaction with international organisations in the field.
The President of Turkmenistan warmly congratulated participants of the meeting with these historically significant events and achievements in the life of the country.
Further, the head of the state underlined that an overall objective of the foreign policy and diplomatic activity of our fatherland in the forthcoming 2026 - advancement and practical realisation of the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization at the initiative of Turkmenistan.
Today, our country conducts corresponding work for fulfilment of joint programs with the United Nations, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, especially having noted an important role of the «Turkmenistan – UN» Strategic Advisory Council.
The concept of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan is rather extensive and incorporates a number of areas. The next year Turkmenistan will continue to expand interaction both in bilateral and multilateral formats.
The dialogue with the neighbouring states here acts as a priority, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined, having noted that Turkmenistan will strengthen henceforth relations with countries of Central Asia as well as the Caspian region, based on friendship, good neighbourhood and mutual respect.
At the same time, it was underlined that close partnership with member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization in economic, energy, transport and communication spheres will be continued.
Turkmenistan will considerably expand interaction with states of South Asia, Near and Middle East and the Asian-Pacific region. Today, in these regions general economic and technological progress is observed. As the head of the state noted, these countries show a great interest in cooperation with Turkmenistan.
It is necessary to carry out corresponding work for the implementation of the strategy «The Great Silk road», which is a link of the transport-transit corridor from Asia to Europe, to continue promotion of equal rights, mutually beneficial relations with European countries, based on mutual respect. It is necessary to give special attention to cooperation with them in the field of high technologies, transition to "green" energy and introduction of artificial intelligence, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stated.
One should consistently expand interaction with the states of North and South America, the African continent, the head of Turkmenistan continued his speech and pointed out partnership with the United Nations Organization and other international structures among areas of cooperation.
Addressing participants of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov underlined that the forthcoming year will host a considerable quantity of international events. So, in 2026 the main holiday of the country - the 35th anniversary of our sacred independence will be solemnly celebrated, VIII consultative meeting of heads of states of Central Asia will take place. At the same time, in the forthcoming year, Turkmenistan will preside in the Commonwealth of Independent States and our country will host the regular meeting of the Council of heads of states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
At the end, his expressed firm confidence that employees of the diplomatic service will carry out a large-scale activity to protect interests of our independent neutral fatherland on the international scene.
Then, the head of the state signed the Resolution on financial issues of the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan as well as documents to award citizens of the country and foreign citizens the anniversary medal «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna» and memorable badge.
Further, the floor was given to Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, Hero of Turkmenistan A. Atayeva who warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Hero-Arkadag and participants of the meeting with International Neutrality Day and the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of our fatherland.
As she marked, the outgoing International year of peace and trust has clearly attested to the fact that our country consistently puts into practice the foreign policy aimed at maintenance of universal peace and sustainable development, expansion of constructive and friendly relations with peoples and states of the world, large international organisations, first of all with the United Nations Organization as well as steady grow of the international authority of our fatherland.
Within a year employees of the Permanent mission of Turkmenistan at the United Nations, proceeding from the Concept of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan for 2022-2028, carried out the work on further increase of the prestige of Turkmenistan on the world scene, implementation of significant initiatives put forward by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag for strengthening peace and security and maintenance of sustainable development.
Participation of the head of the state in the high level plenary meeting of the 80th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in September became one of the important events of 2025.
As she pointed out, in the deeply substantial speech of the President of Turkmenistan from the high podium of the General Assembly specific proposals and initiatives on such topical issues as a universal peace, security, multilateral humanitarian and international legal cooperation were put forward.
The permanent representative of Turkmenistan at the United Nations Organization reported on the undertaken steps for practical realisation of these initiatives.
With a view of embodiment of important international proposals of the head of the state into life, proper work aimed at strengthening peace and security, achievement of sustainable development is carried out.
The basic events for consolidation of peace and security at regional and international levels were held within the International year of peace and trust declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations at the initiative of Turkmenistan. In New York in the United Nations headquarters, on January 17 with participation of heads of this Organization and member countries the opening of the Year took place and the joint Road map for 2025 was adopted.
At the 61st plenary meeting of the General Assembly, which was held on March 21 of the current year, the Resolution «Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan» was unanimously adopted for the third time and it attested to the historical importance of the model of neutrality chosen as main principle of the foreign policy of our country.
In the given context, she marked with satisfaction that the number of member countries of the Group of friends of neutrality for peace, security and sustainable development, created in 2020, annually grows under the aegis of the United Nations at the initiative of Turkmenistan.
As was underlined by the permanent representative of Turkmenistan at the United Nations, corresponding work is also carried out for practical realisation of the initiatives put forward by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on maintenance of sustainable development at regional and global levels, promotion of international economic relations.
One of the internationally significant events in this area was the Third Conference of the United Nations on the land-locked developing countries, which was held in the Avaza national tourist zone on August 5-8, 2025. A special emphasis was made on the importance of long-term and significant international documents adopted on the sidelines of the Forum held under the aegis of the United Nations, including the Avaza program of actions for 2024-2034 and the Avaza political declaration. Today, concrete work is carried out together with corresponding structures of the United Nations for their realisation.
The unanimous election of Turkmenistan on June 4, 2025 by the General Assembly as a member of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization for 2026-2028 became one of the international successes in the given area.
These achievements clearly speak of efficiency of the foreign policy strategy of the country realised under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan and Hero-Arkadag based on principles of neutrality, peaceful disposition, good neighbourhood and productive cooperation as well as its full conformity to long-term interests of the world community.
The permanent representative of Turkmenistan at the United Nations Organization expressed on behalf of Turkmen diplomats warm gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for his huge attention and created conditions for successful work.
Then, addressing participants of the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that he completed work on the book «Neutrality of Turkmenistan - a bright path of peace and trust», devoted to results of the current year.
It underlines the significance of permanent neutrality, which was recognized for three times by the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization and widely highlights the historical initiatives aimed at maintenance of universal peace and trust. The book also reflects reached high boundaries and successes of our country. It will becomes a gift to our people, the head of the state noted.
Concluding the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again warmly congratulated its participants with the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and wished them sound health, well-being and great successes in their work for the public good.
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On completion of the expanded meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Oguzhan Palace complex, the awarding ceremony of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov as well as members of the Government, heads of military and law enforcement bodies of the country, khyakims of velayats the anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna» and a complete set of memorable badges took place.
In the beginning of the ceremony, the head of the national Parliament D.Gulmanova read the corresponding Resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
According to the document, considering a huge personal contribution to the strengthening of independence, sovereignty and legal status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, increase of its international authority according to principles of permanent neutrality, course of foreign policy of our country – policy "open doors», the doctrine «Dialogue - a guarantee of peace», which serves the main foreign policy of the country in the international relations, development of peace, friendly and mutually beneficial relations of our fatherland with states of the world and international organisations, in realisation of the potential of Turkmen neutrality in political, diplomatic, legal, economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian areas, advancement and realisation of initiatives on maintenance of peace, security and sustainable development in the region and planet, strengthening of legislative framework of the policy of peace and trust of Turkmenistan, its norms, main objectives, preventive diplomacy, priority vectors of the home and foreign policy of the country as well as for special merits before society and the state, on the basis of the numerous proposals, which have arrived from national representatives, large public associations, labour collectives and citizens of the country in the International year of peace and trust, in connection with the International Neutrality Day, the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, according to article 81 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov under solemn conditions is awarded the anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna» and a complete set of memorable badges.
Then, the awarding ceremony of the anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna» and a complete set of memorable badges to the Chairwoman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, deputy-chairmen of the Cabinet, heads of military and law enforcement bodies as well as khyakims of velayats took place.
Deputy-Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov on behalf of participants of the celebration and employees of the diplomatic service of the country warmly congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov with his state award, International Neutrality Day and glorious 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan as well as with release of the book «Neutrality of Turkmenistan - a bright path of peace and trust» of the print and wished further prolific work.
Further, on behalf of all the staff of military and law enforcement bodies, Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defence B.Gundogdyev warmly congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country with the anniversary medal «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna» and a complete set of memorable badges and with release of the new magnificent work out of print and conveyed his best regards to that end. Heads of military and law enforcement bodies also expressed their deep gratitude to the head of the state for their state award, and assured that defenders of our fatherland will use their best efforts for successful fulfilment of important responsible goals set before them.
Having thanked for congratulations and kind wishes, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out that he considers the anniversary medal «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 30 ýyllygyna», awarded in the International year of peace and trust on the occasion of the International Neutrality day as an award to all Turkmen people.
At the end of the ceremony, the President of Turkmenistan once again warmly congratulated all with the 30th anniversary of permanent neutrality and state awards handed today and wished great successes in their work for further progress of our independent neutral country.
