The plan of projects planned to be implemented by the Government of Turkmenistan together with OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in 2021 was presented today during online-briefing.
As stated in the press-release of OSCE Centre, employees of state authorities including the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan and key partner entities, representatives of international organizations, also the embassies of the OSCE participating States and partner countries accredited in Turkmenistan.
Opening the briefing, Natalya Drozd, the head of OSCE Centre in Ashgabat underlined that outgoing year was successful and effective, despite the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The success of our activities would not have been possible without our national partners, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the host government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all partner organizations for constructive cooperation and effective support of our activities throughout the year,” said Natalya Drozd.
The Center's staff told the participants about the project activities in 2020, the main areas of which were preventive diplomacy and border management, promoting the development of cross-border trade and transit potential, as well as environmental protection, rule of law and media reform. Particular attention was paid to the initiatives of the Center for measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection and overcome the consequences of COVID-19.
“2021 promises to be even more active and productive than the outgoing year”, - said Natalia Drozd. “We have developed a Project Plan for the next year based on the achievements of previous years, guided by the priorities of the OSCE in 2021, as well as the tasks set by the government in the relevant areas.”
“I am confident that our activities in the coming year will contribute to the strengthening of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE and the achievement of our common goals,” added Ambassador Drozd.
The center plans to continue its demanded projects in 2021, and at the same time launch a number of innovative projects, including on issues such as strengthening cybersecurity and digitalization of customs procedures, developing e-commerce and attracting foreign investment, monitoring litigation and interaction of government agencies with the public and the media during a pandemic and emergency.
The work of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat under the leadership of Natalya Drozd, as well as the Center's contribution to strengthening cooperation between Turkmenistan and the OSCE, were awarded the state order “Bitaraplyk”
(“Neutrality”), which the government of Turkmenistan awarded the head of the Center, Natalia Drozd, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the neutrality of Turkmenistan celebrated on 12 December 2020.
