A delegation from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), led by Mr. Ulvi Fikret oglu Akhundlu, the Deputy Head of the Election Department (ODIHR), is visiting Turkmenistan these days.

In accordance with the program of their stay in our country, members of the delegation held meetings with representatives of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums in Turkmenistan, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Adalat, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, the State Committee for Television, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography, the State Information Agency, and political parties.

As noted, the main purpose of the visit, which is the first of its kind in this format, is to discuss issues of bilateral cooperation and to determine priorities for further interaction. During the meetings, the guests were acquainted with the main goals of the large-scale reform programs implemented on the initiative of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in the field of human rights protection, which is recognized as a key factor for the democratic development of the state and society as a whole. In this context, it was emphasized that special importance is given to studying the best global experience of international organizations, including the OSCE.

Also discussed were issues of improving national legislation, particularly regulating the electoral system and the activities of domestic mass media. Positively assessing the position of the Turkmen state, open to constructive dialogue with major international organizations, the head of the delegation stressed that ODIHR is interested in expanding fruitful partnership with our country. In this regard, the importance of strengthening the established effective dialogue and implementing new joint projects and programs was noted.