Having chosen positive neutrality as the guideline of its foreign policy Turkmenistan takes the new steps to achieve the global goals in the third millennium – global peace, social progress, economic prosperity. Actively developing constructive co-operation with all those sincerely interested in it – from a company to a large international organisation, from a neighbour to a country situated in the other part of the planet – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov consistently and steadily implements the fundamental idea of the new time – to make our planet the protected area of kindness, good sense, optimism.

The firm position of the Turkmen state, which has reached the landmark level of international prestige and recognition, is highly appreciated by the world community. The last week’s events vividly proved it.

Addressing the NATO Summit in Bucharest the Turkmen leader reconfirmed his country’s adherence to the principles of peaceful and constructive development. Upholding the principle of non-interference and political dialogue Turkmenistan does not limit itself to the role of a mediator or UN mission partner. Focusing on the necessity of comprehensive implementation of the political and social and economic measures to prevent the crises threatening peace and security President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov called for establishing the new effective mechanisms aimed at preventing conflicts and eliminating the causes of conflicts

In this regard the status of neutrality unanimously delegated to Turkmenistan by the international community acquires paramount importance. It is not occasional that Turkmenistan won the well-deserved reputation of a guarantor of calmness and stability in the region. It is not occasional that the capital of Turkmenistan that initiated of the political innovations last year as elected the UN headquarters for preventive diplomacy in the Central Asian region. Turkmenistan’s endeavours to provide overall assistance and support to neighbouring Afghanistan are remarkable.

Addressing the NATO Summit President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that having the abundant natural resources and occupying the favourable geographical location Turkmenistan was ready to effectively use its profound potential in the interests of global peace and development. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline was to serve these purposes. The urgent need in and importance of this grandiose project is obvious. From the economic view point, promoting attracting the heavy investments in national economies of the participating countries the gas pipeline will be a real and effective factor of integration of the Asian and Pacific region into the global system of economic relations. From the social view point, the future gas pipeline – light and warmth in the houses of millions of the people, new jobs, a path to the welfare and prosperity for the peoples happily living there.

On the world arena Turkmenistan’s voice firmly and resolutely sounds in favour of the decisions aimed at maintaining peace and stability, its policy serves harmonization of the national, regional and international interests. Therefore, during the meeting in the Romanian capital the leaders of Afghanistan, Croatia and the other countries, US President George Bush expressed and developed the idea of the timeliness and necessity of the Turkmen leader’s initiatives on development of the energy, transport, information and communication infrastructures, intensification of the contacts in the spheres of culture, education, international tourism, which had promoted creating the new political climate in the Central Asian region.

The close interest shown by the leading political scientists and mass media in development of the Turkmen-American relations proves Turkmenistan’s increased international prestige, recognition of its role in tackling challenges of the multipolar world. Covering President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visit to New York, participation in the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly, meeting at the Columbia University and the Rockefeller Centre, talks with the heads of the states, the UN high-ranking officials and the heads of the intentional organisations, the top managers of the world-renowned firms and companies last autumn the news agencies worldwide noted the remarkably high level of confidence and disposition that distinguished the Turkmen-American talks in all formats. In particular, the meetings of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and George Bush took place, though it had not been provided by the protocol.

This time in the European continent in spite of the busy schedule of the Summit George Bush found an opportunity to meet with the Turkmen leader, whose policy was welcomed in the United States and, moreover, regarded as a factor of harmonizing the interests in the practical aspect. Noting the high dynamics of the intergovernmental dialogue established in recent years, the leaders of both countries reaffirmed the readiness for further intensification of constructive partnership, agreed the approaches to realization of mutually advantageous co-operation in the most promising fields, in particular the fuel and energy sector and the spheres of education and science. The leaders continued to exchange views on the issues of mutual interest after the official meeting had ended. Accompanied by the representatives of the delegations of the EAPC-NATO member countries both Presidents talking actively headed for the conference hall of the Palace of the Parliament of Romania. That meeting was the only bilateral one the U.S. President had during the NATO forum.

There may be few places in the world, where a hand of friendship extended by Turkmenistan has not been accepted. Last week the Turkmen-Indian relations were offered a powerful incentive to develop. The visit of Vice President of the Republic of India, chairman of the upper house of Parliament Hamid Ansari, who arrived in Ashgabat at the head of the representative delegation, served as another step towards enhancement of partnership.

During the meeting with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Hamid Ansari emphasized that India was keenly interested in the grandiose changes and reforms initiated in Turkmenistan by the nationwide elected leader. The Vice President said that his country welcomed and supported Turkmenistan’s efforts on the world arena as aimed at strengthening peace, security, stability and sustainable development all over the world The guest said that Turkmenistan was a country of the great opportunities, the profound economic and resource potential in collaboration which India was intensively interested to collaborate with endeavoring to meet its increased needs.

Discussing the priorities of further partnership between Turkmenistan and India in particular the fuel and energy sector Hamid Ansari confirmed his country’s adherence to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project putting emphasis on importance of the project as a factor of the welfare of the participating countries and the regions in whole. Thus, evaluating the scale of the region one can think over that peace and concord are achieved not only through the political endeavours.

Agriculture, textile and pharmaceutical industries were defined as the priority fields of co-operation. The interlocutors unanimously called for intensifying the fruitful contacts in the humanitarian sphere, in particular education and science, information technologies. The economic interest is of particular importance especially when it comes to communications supplying power to cities and villages situated dozens and hundreds kilometres far from one another.

Along with the Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in Oil and Gas Industry between the Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Oil and Natural Gas of the Republic of India agriculture, textile and pharmaceutical industries, construction including the resort and health-improving centres in the Avaza national tourism zone were defined as the priority fields of co-operation. Particular importance was attached to intensification of the fruitful contacts in the humanitarian sphere, in particular education and science, information technologies.

Focusing on importance of intensifying traditional cultural co-operation the President of Turkmenistan called for holding the Days of Cinematography, various festivals and artistic meetings on a regular basis and establishing the close contacts among the people that would help Turkmenistan and India to know each other better. Turkmenistan and India had much in common, they were bound with the deep centuries-old historical and cultural roots. The outstanding sons of the Turkmen people - Bayram Khan and Abdurahim Khan-Khanan, whose heritage was highly respected and appreciated in India, had added the glorious pages to the Indian history. In the new historical epoch the peoples of Turkmenistan and India successfully maintained the traditions of friendship handed down by the glorious ancestors, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

As a broad-minded person President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pays close attention to the humanitarian sphere. Nowadays, festivals, forums, concerts, exhibitions, scientific and cultural events became the usual practice of social life. Such contacts, exchange of the cultural and ethical values, information, socially-oriented technologies, scholar and educational programmes not only enlarge the world view – they make mutual understanding a norm of communication, harmonizes views and tastes.

The Turkmen of the World International Festival Turkmen Land - the Beautified Land, which brought together the families of our compatriots residing in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the regions of Turkmenistan, the national holiday A Drop of Water – A Grain of Gold widely celebrated throughout the country and World Health Day – all that are the bright symbols of the new epoch embodying the eternal need in the principles of humanism in the spiritual interpretation helping the peoples of different countries to realize themselves as children of one planet.