On the 11th of December President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov conducted pre-festive meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan in “Ruhyyet” Palace dedicated to the issues of external policy of independent

Motherland. As reported in today’s newspaper “Neutral Turkmenistan”, the Members of National Council, Hyakims of velayats and Ashgabat city, ambassadors of Turkmenstan accredited in foreign states were invited to the meeting. 

By opening a meeting the Leader of the nation noted that, according to tradition, on the eve of major public holidays in our country, an action is being held to pardon convicted citizens who have violated the law, but sincerely repented of their deeds and are ready to atone for their guilt by honest labor.

The deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, secretary of National Council, Chairman of the Commission for the Preparation of Proposals on Citizenship and Pardon Issues under the President of Turkmenistan Ch.Amanov submitted for approval draft of the Decree “On pardon in honor of the 25th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan for convicted persons”.

After hearing the report, the leader of the nation signed the submitted document, according to which 2078 convicted citizens and 4 foreign citizens were pardoned on the eve of the glorious holiday - the 25th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of the Motherland.

Addressing the Deputy Prime Minister, Secretary of the State Council Ch. Amanov and the heads of the military and law enforcement agencies, the head of Turkmenistan instructed to take appropriate measures so that all those pardoned were released from prison and reunited with their families. In this regard, the head of state instructed the Hyakims of velayats, etraps and cities, as well as other leaders to take measures to find jobs for pardoned citizens. The leader of the nation also wished the pardoned to work conscientiously, provide for their families, and live rejoicing in the fruits of their labor.

In continuation, the head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that today's meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers is being held on the eve of a historic event and a big holiday - the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. On the agenda are topical issues of international cooperation and the implementation of the foreign policy of our country, an assessment of the results of the coming year and the definition of priority tasks for the coming period.

The head of Turkmenistan said: “Today we can say with confidence that all proposals put forward through the United Nations are supported by the world community. An ample proof of this is the Group of Friends of Neutrality for

Peace, Security and Development, based on the UN platform, which has already united over 20 states”.

This year, our sovereign country was elected Vice-Chairman of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and, also, began work as a member of the UN Commission on Population and the Executive Council of the

World Food Program. Turkmenistan is also unanimously admitted to several the most important structures of the United Nations the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, Social Development and Narcotic Drugs.

Of no small importance is the nomination and adoption by UNO of numerous draft documents prepared by Turkmenistan aimed at strengthening the role and importance of neutrality for maintaining global peace, security and sustainable development.

In this context, the head of state emphasized the need, during the current session of the General Assembly, to actively and purposefully work with the member states and the UN Secretariat, to explain the importance of adopting these documents that meet the long-term interests and strategic goals of the world community.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been entrusted to intensify efforts in direction of the United Nations and consolidate the experienced staff of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

Particular attention should be paid to the worthy conduction of 2021 - the Year of Peace and Trust, the leader of the nation said, and noted with satisfaction that this was an initiative of Turkmenistan.

Noting that it is necessary to take on the main task of holding important events within its framework in our country and abroad, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare an appropriate plan.

This year, the world is faced with an unprecedented threat from the spread of a new infectious disease, the head of state continued, stressing that at the national level, Turkmenistan immediately took comprehensive protection measures, and at the international level stated its specific position, which is the need to consolidate the efforts of all countries and specialized international structures in the fight against this threat.

In this regard, bilateral cooperation was promptly established with various states of the world, the World Health Organization. A visit of WHO representatives was organized to our country.

Along with this, Turkmenistan initiated an international forum of medical scientists in Ashgabat in the second half of 2021 to consider research and development to combat the pandemic, as the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, stressing that there is a lot of work to be done in the future to implement these initiatives.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Medical Industry and the relevant industry departments were instructed to coordinate activities in this direction with foreign partners and establish close and fruitful contacts with them.

The pandemic had a negative impact on international trade and economic relations, transport links, the President of the country continued, ordering to start performing the necessary work to restore these systems. For further development, they should be brought to their previous state and level of development, the head of state said, noting the particular importance of regional cooperation in this matter for Turkmenistan.

Pointing to the importance of ensuring the implementation of the agreements reached on the implementation of joint infrastructure projects, the leader of the nation ordered to accelerate the practical implementation of the

Agreement on the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transport corridor (“Lapis Lazuli”) signed in Ashgabat in 2017.

Among the top-priority tasks were the full operation of the railways of international importance Kazakhstan – Iran – Turkmenistan, Kerki – Ymamnazar – Akin (Afghanistan), railway and road bridges across the Amu Darya, the rapid construction of the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas pipeline, power transmission and fiber-optic communication systems Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan, said the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed, taking into account the national interests of Turkmenistan and topical issues of cooperation with the states of Central Asia, to prepare proposals for the development of bilateral relations with each of the states of the region for 2021, as well as, together with other state bodies, to develop a National Program for the Aral Sea and submit it for consideration by the Government in the first quarter of 2021.

The sixth high-level Caspian meeting is planned to be held in our country in the coming year. The head of Turkmenistan instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to start work on organizing and holding this international forum at the proper level.

Continuing the meeting, the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the Caspian Sea region is currently turning into one of the largest transport and logistics centers in Eurasia. The main role in this matter is assigned to our country.

To this date, there is a regular ferry service between the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port and the Baku International Sea Trade Port. Negotiations are underway to establish mutual communication with the Aktau International Sea Trade Port and the Kuruk Sea Port in Kazakhstan. The issue of opening a logistics center in the city of Astrakhan is being discussed with Russian partners, and the opening of the Trade House of Turkmenistan in the city of Kazan is envisaged. A promising project of transport communication is being drawn up with access to the Russian ports of the Baltic, and then to Europe along the Caspian Sea –  Volga River route.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was instructed, together with the relevant state bodies, after completing the solution of organizational and other issues with Kazakh and Russian colleagues, to begin the working stage of cooperation.

The continuation of work on the draft of a quadrilateral intergovernmental agreement on the creation and implementation of the Caspian Sea - Black Sea transport corridor, initiated by Turkmenistan together with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania, was named among the topical directions.

The Asia-Pacific region, which is rapidly developing and turning into a driving force for the entire world economy and trade, is the most important vector of the country's foreign policy, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

Recently in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, the heads of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and New Zealand signed an Agreement on the creation of the world's largest free trade association, and also made important decisions within the framework of other economic organizations uniting the APR states, the leader of the nation instructed our Embassies in the countries of the region to carefully study these documents and prepare recommendations and proposals on the forms of Turkmenistan's participation in relevant projects and plans.

The President of the country made a special emphasis on expanding partnerships with the European Union, the vectors of interaction with which are of great both multilateral and bilateral interest. Among them are issues of maintaining peace and security in Central Asia and neighboring regions, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, use of transport, environmental and water resources.

Continuing the topic, the head of state ordered to carry out fruitful work on more active involvement of the European Union in energy cooperation.

Stressing that a few weeks ago, the next Action Program of the Government of Turkmenistan and the OSCE for 2021 was approved, which combined 68 promising projects, the leader of the nation instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate the implementation of this document, as well as during the coming year, together with the relevant structures of this Organizations to strengthen work on security, transport, climate change.

The United States of America is one of the important trade, economic and foreign policy partners of Turkmenistan, with which interaction is carried out in the field of ensuring regional security, combating serious threats and challenges, as well as in other areas, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued.

In cooperation with the United States, great importance is paid to the Turkmen-American Business Council. Over the 12 years of its work, the Council has become an effective mechanism of bilateral partnership, has become an effective tool for establishing, developing and strengthening relations between the business structures of our countries, jointly searching for priority aspects of interaction.

As the head of state noted, the activities of this structure in the future should be given a qualitatively new impetus in order to increase and diversify mutual trade, implement joint large projects.

With the countries of the Near and Middle East, Turkmenistan is united by close historical, spiritual and cultural ties, the leader of the nation continued, identifying among the main tasks the enrichment of these relations with concrete deeds, taking into account the real state of affairs. “We look at these countries as promising partners in the implementation of large-scale plans in the field of economy, trade, investment, transport,” said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In this regard, it was stated that our diplomacy should actively executed together with partners in the implementation of the Agreement, called the Ashgabat Agreement, on the creation of an international transport and transit corridor signed between the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The head of state also stressed that certain results have been achieved in the direction of Africa and Latin America. Noting with satisfaction the fact of establishing relations with the African Union, the leader of the nation noted the existence of great prospects for the development of cooperation with the states of Latin America.

Relying on its neutral legal status, Turkmenistan will continue mutually beneficial cooperation with regional interstate associations - the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Islamic Cooperation Organization and the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Among the successes achieved by our country this year is the receipt of observer status in the World Trade Organization. In this regard, conditions are created for entering the global market for goods and services, technical assistance and some other advantages within the powers of the World Trade Organization. 

This, in turn, requires a responsible approach to the issue of cooperation with the WTO. Having ordered to carefully study the experience of other member states of the organization, the President of Turkmenistan instructed to determine work plans for the near future and start implementing them. Continuing his speech, the leader of the nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that there are great tasks associated with a worthy meeting of the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Fatherland next year, 2021. This is, first of all, a national holiday, however, it should be given international significance, to demonstrate the successes of Turkmenistan over the years of independence.

It is necessary to confirm that our country has become an honorary and authoritative member of the world community, making a significant contribution to the strengthening of global peace and sustainable development, the head of state emphasized, addressing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan to organize and conduct events at a high level throughout 2021. dedicated to this anniversary.

Concluding his speech, the President of the country emphasized that independent neutral Turkmenistan will continue to pay great attention to its diplomatic service. The state will provide everything necessary for the full-fledged work of the service, increase the material and social well-being of its employees, and strengthen the staff.

Having cordially congratulated everyone on the upcoming holiday – the Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan, the head of state wished good health and further success in responsible work for the benefit of his native Motherland.

Then the floor was given to the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Aksoltan Atayeva.

Sincerely congratulating President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the International Day of Neutrality celebrated all over the world, as well as on the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's acquisition of the status of permanent neutrality, A. Atayeva, on behalf of the diplomats, wished the leader of the nation good health, long life and great success in creative activities of global importance, carried out in the name of the prosperity of the Motherland, happiness and well-being of the people.

Noting that further building up of fruitful strategic cooperation with international organizations, first of all, with the UN, is assigned a special role in the foreign policy strategy, A. Atayeva emphasized that the historical speeches of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the sessions of the UN General Assembly, the creative proposals put forward by him found a great support in the world community is being successfully implemented today.

Then the word was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov, who stressed that as a result of the constructive foreign policy strategy pursued by the head of state, the authority of independent neutral Turkmenistan in the world arena is growing every year.

Having cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the 25th anniversary of the acquisition of permanent neutral status by the Motherland and the International Day of Neutrality, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister reported on the work done to admit stateless persons into the citizenship of our country

Since 2011, by decrees of the leader of the nation, thousands of people living in our country and at the same time not citizens of any state have been admitted to the citizenship of Turkmenistan.

In order to further implement the progressive political strategy, initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, based on fair and democratic principles, domestic authorized state institutions carried out proper work on the adoption of the citizenship of Turkmenistan 2 thousand 580 people on the basis of appeals from these persons permanently residing in our country and representing 19 nationalities.

In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Foreign Ministry submitted to the head of state the issue of admitting the above persons to the citizenship of Turkmenistan on the occasion of the marvelous anniversary date and the International Day of Neutrality.

Along with this, it was noted that, following the humanistic principles of wise ancestors, up to the present, 3 thousand 119 foreign citizens and stateless persons have been issued a residence permit in our country.

Proceeding from this, prepared proposals for issuing a residence permit in Turkmenistan to 874 persons who are citizens of 11 states and representatives of 31 nationalities were submitted to the head of state for consideration.

After hearing the report and approving the voiced proposals, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the relevant Decree and Resolution, instructing the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to take appropriate measures to implement them.

In continuation of the meeting, Head of state signed the Decree regarding the award of people for their work and knowledge actively participating in the implementation of the policy of neutrality of an independent Motherland with jubilee medals. 

Finishing an extended pre-festive meeting of the Cabinet of Ministries, President of Turkmenistan wished strong health, happy and successful life and great success in work in the name of the further prosperity of the native Motherland.