The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized an event to mark the 25th anniversary of permanent neutrality status gained by Turkmenistan back in 1995. The first in a series of OSCE-organized online lectures for university students in Turkmenistan took place from 18 to 20 November 2020.

Over 30 students and teaching staff of the International Relations and Law Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Institute of International Relations and International University for Humanity and Development attended lectures delivered by a professor from the Netherlands.

The lectures focused on the history of neutrality and security of small states, the nature of preventive diplomacy, and negotiation. International expert introduced participants to the profession of diplomacy and facilitated discussions on how culture and language can influence the negotiation process.

“By maintaining friendly, impartial, and mutually beneficial relations, neutral Turkmenistan has made many significant achievements within this status, one of the pillars of which is preventive diplomacy,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “We organized this course to introduce future diplomats to insightful perspectives on neutrality and preventive diplomacy”.

“Turkmenistan’s adherence to preventive diplomacy principles is crucial as it will enhance the country’s valued contribution to stability and sustainable development in the region and beyond,” added Drozd.

A high-level career diplomat from Italy will deliver the second series, which will take place from 24 to 26 November 2020. Topics will include the evolution of European security following the Cold War, the value of neutrality, and protracted conflicts in the OSCE region. Students will discuss issues of national minorities and challenges of integrating diverse societies.