Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 12
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov has invited the international community to consider the establishment of an international center for the study of the problems of neutrality in international law and international relations, as well as the establishment of International Neutrality Day within the framework of the UN.
He spoke with this initiative at the international conference “The policy of neutrality: International cooperation for peace, security and development” held in Ashgabat Dec.12 and coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Turkmen neutrality.
“Based on our experience, we realize that the phenomenon of neutrality needs further development,” Berdimuhammadov said. “It is necessary to work on further improvement of the theoretical foundations and practical application of the principles of neutrality in international activities.”
“On this basis, Turkmenistan proposes to consider the establishment of an international center for the study of the problems of neutrality in international law and international relations,” he said. “Also mentioning high international importance of permanent neutrality and considering the fact that this status is one of the fundamental bases in strengthening global security and development, Turkmenistan takes the initiative to establish International Neutrality Day within the framework of the UN. I hope for the support of all UN member states in this issue.”
The president went on to add that Turkmenistan celebrates the anniversary in atmosphere of peace and creativity, good neighborly relations and mutual understanding with all friends and partners in the international community.
Speaking at the conference, UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, in turn, said that Turkmenistan's decision on the adoption of neutrality in 1995 contributed to the establishment of peace and stability in the region.
Delegations from nearly 80 countries, heads of states and governments, heads of a number of international organizations, prominent politicians and public figures from all over the world take part in the conference. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Afghan president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Georgian president Giorgi Margvelashvili, president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, Kyrgyz president Almazbek Atambayev, president of Moldova Nicolae Timofti and Tajik president Emomoli Rahmon are among them.
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