Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held an enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers with the participation of the heads of diplomatic missions and consular offices of Turkmenistan in foreign countries and representative offices of our country to international organizations. The agenda included priority issues of foreign policy implemented by the neutral Fatherland in the international arena.

Opening the session, the head of Turkmenistan emphasized that December 12 will be a great holiday – International Day of Neutrality and cordially congratulated those gathered and, in their person, the entire Turkmen people on this significant date.

Traditionally, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov continued, we pardon citizens convicted of crimes committed, but regretting what they did and sincerely repenting of it. In this regard, noble actions are regularly carried out to release them from further punishment. 

Then the floor was given to the Chairman of the Commission for the Preparation of Proposals on Citizenship and Pardon Issues under the President of Turkmenistan B. Gundogdyev, who reported on the results of the work carried out.

Following this noble tradition, the President of Turkmenistan signed a Decree on pardoning 276 citizens on the occasion of the International Day of Neutrality. The Chairman of the Commission was instructed, together with the heads of law enforcement agencies, to take the necessary measures so that all those released from prison would return to their families in the near future.

The head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the pardoned citizens to work conscientiously, serve the Motherland honestly, and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Then the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov, who spoke next, on behalf of the employees of the diplomatic corps of the country, cordially congratulated the President of Turkmenistan on the upcoming International Day of Neutrality, wishing him good health and new successes in his state activities. The Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the heads of diplomatic missions and consular offices of Turkmenistan abroad, also expressed deep gratitude for the extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held today, dedicated to issues of foreign policy.

As noted, according to established tradition, the Government session assesses the activities of our country on the world stage, discusses ways to strengthen the role of the Fatherland in the system of international relations, the main directions and mechanisms of national diplomacy at the present stage and in the near future. In everyday diplomatic service, they are the guide and fundamental principle. As emphasized, this is a great honor for the employees of the diplomatic corps of the country and, at the same time, a huge responsibility.

Continuing the report, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the coming year for Turkmenistan will be marked by the celebration of the 30th anniversary of our Fatherland gaining the status of permanent neutrality. At the same time, a significant fact is the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust in accordance with a special Resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

In this regard, the State Organizing Committee, created following the historic meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty held on September 24 this year, plans to take the necessary measures to hold events planned for the upcoming significant dates both in our country and abroad, together with foreign partners, at the proper level. As reported, based on the tasks set in this direction, drafts of the relevant Concept and work plan have been developed.

As noted, for many years, under the leadership of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Turkmenistan has put forward important initiatives on such pressing issues of the global agenda as universal security, peace and development, energy security, transport diplomacy, environmental protection, and strengthening humanitarian ties. Today, this policy and noble undertakings are worthily continued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The results of this creative strategy, which takes into account the interests of all mankind, find broad support from international structures, primarily the UN, including in specific resolutions of the Community of Nations. Thus, in 2024, the UN General Assembly, at the initiative of our country, adopted the following Resolutions: “2025 – International Year of Peace and Trust”, “Central Asia – a zone of peace, trust and cooperation”, “Treaty on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia”, “United Nations Games”, which serves as evidence of the successful implementation of the foreign policy of the neutral Fatherland.

In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of all diplomats, expressed deep gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the conditions created for effective service, strengthening the financial and material-technical base of the diplomatic corps and assured that every effort will be made to fulfill the main objectives of the Concept of the Foreign Policy of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028.

Continuing the session, the head of state Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that today the results of the activities carried out by Turkmenistan in 2024 in terms of international cooperation will be summed up, and the key vectors of foreign policy and priority tasks in this direction for the next year will be discussed.

As emphasized, events of international significance were held this year. The 300th anniversary of the birth of the great son of the Turkmen people Magtymguly Pyragy was widely celebrated in our country and foreign countries. On the occasion of this significant date, about 170 important events were organized abroad. The main event of the year was the International Conference “Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development”, dedicated to the anniversary of Magtymguly Pyragy.

The forum, the head of Turkmenistan noted, acted as a significant unifying factor in strengthening international peace, mutual understanding, trust, confidence in the strength and potential of a developed culture of dialogue, based on the philosophical heritage of Magtymguly Pyragy.

This international forum increased the authority of Turkmenistan as a peace-loving state, demonstrated the great respect of the world community for our country, the Turkmen people, their rich history and culture.

Next year, large-scale events will be held to mark the glorious 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and the announcement by the United Nations General Assembly, on the initiative of our country, of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Another important event was the adoption of the Resolution “Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia” at the initiative of Turkmenistan during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. It is a great honor for us that many member countries of the United Nations support this proposal, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, heartily congratulating everyone on these historically significant events in the life of the country and the successes achieved. 

Along with the wide recognition of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, all this is a triumph of the activities carried out in the name of world peace, ensuring sustainable development, strengthening relations based on trust, the head of state emphasized. In this context, the need to further increase cooperation with international organizations in these areas was noted.

The focus should be on the preparation of an international document in 2025 on the occasion of the International Day of Neutrality, a vivid reflection of the norms of neutrality in it, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, assigning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop relevant instructions for the Embassies and Permanent Missions of our country abroad.

It was also emphasized that it is necessary to attach great importance to cooperation within the framework of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development, created at the initiative of Turkmenistan. As noted, a high-level meeting of this Group will be held in Ashgabat on December 11 this year.

Our activities, the head of state continued, should be carried out mainly in two directions, in particular, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. In order to implement the Global Security Strategy in the future, Turkmenistan should attach particular importance to increasing the number of states that support the initiative to grant neutral countries the status of priority partnership with the UN in the peacekeeping efforts of the United Nations.

Also, in order to increase the number of states that support the initiative to create an Alliance for Global Energy Security and Sustainable Development, it is necessary to intensify the work carried out at the bilateral level, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said. As noted, a new Department of Foreign Policy Information and Digital Diplomacy was recently created within the structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a Resolution was adopted on the introduction of the position of press attaché in a number of Embassies of our country. All this work – complex steps – is aimed at achieving one goal, in particular, highlighting the successes achieved by our country in the world, explaining the essence of foreign policy.

In the International Year of Peace and Trust, in the year of celebrating the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, our foreign policy should be reflected in the international arena. The tasks set in information activities should gain a wider scope.

It is necessary to popularize the rich history, culture, traditions, ancient monuments, unique nature, modern “smart” cities, the successes achieved in all areas of our neutral state. To this end, all embassies in the host countries need to organize creative meetings, close cooperation with prominent orientalists, experts and journalists in the field of history, archeology and culture. 

In 2025, the main task of our country’s foreign policy and diplomacy is the implementation of the resolutions recently adopted at the initiative of Turkmenistan by the United Nations General Assembly. In this context, emphasis was placed on the importance of close cooperation, in addition to UN member states, with the Secretariat of the Organization. 

As emphasized, Turkmenistan is currently carrying out relevant work with the UN to implement joint programs. These include: “Framework Program for Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations on Sustainable Development for 2026-2030”, “Joint Program of UN Agencies “Youth, Peace and Security”. At the same time, it was noted that on December 6, a regular meeting of the Strategic Advisory Council “Turkmenistan – United Nations” was held, following which the “Roadmap for Strengthening Reporting on the Sustainable Development Goals in Turkmenistan for 2025-2027” was adopted. 

The concept of the foreign policy of the neutral Fatherland is multifaceted and includes many issues, the head of state said, emphasizing that cooperation will be continued in bilateral and multilateral formats.

The priority area is relations with neighboring countries. In this context, Turkmenistan will continue to strengthen relations with the countries of Central Asia and the Caspian region states based on the principles of brotherhood, good neighborliness and mutual respect, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

As noted, cooperation will expand with the states of South Asia, the Near and Middle East, the Asia-Pacific region, where global economic and technological progress has currently been achieved. In this regard, the interest of the countries of these regions in partnership with Turkmenistan was noted.

Equal and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of Europe and America, based on the principles of mutual respect, will further develop. At the same time, special importance will be given to cooperation in such areas as high technology, the transition to “green” energy, the introduction of artificial intelligence. In addition, in foreign policy, much attention should be paid to African countries.

Continuing his speech, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov addressed the representatives of Turkmenistan to international organizations. As noted, in the coming year, great importance will be attached to multilateral diplomacy. In this context, the importance of carrying out relevant work to increase the number of countries supporting the position of Turkmenistan as a neutral state and rendering effective assistance to our country in this matter was discussed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is implementing program activities to ensure a worthy celebration of significant dates and holidays. In this regard, in September of this year, an Organizing Committee was created to hold events to mark the International Year of Peace and Trust, the head of state emphasized, instructing the Cabinet of Ministers to prepare for the first meeting of the Organizing Committee in January next year and submit proposals for the agenda. The meeting will approve the Plan of upcoming events, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said. 

– Together with the world community, we must work hard to worthily mark the historically significant and significant dates in 2025 with remarkable events and great achievements – the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and the events of the International Year of Peace and Trust, – the head of state emphasized.

In conclusion, a firm belief was expressed that large-scale activities will be carried out to protect the interests of the independent neutral Fatherland in the international arena.

During the meeting, a Resolution on financial issues of the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan was signed, as well as documents on awarding citizens of the country and foreign citizens with the jubilee medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and a commemorative sign.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov, who spoke next, noted that during the current expanded meeting, key issues and main directions of the country's foreign policy strategy were considered, and new tasks were set for the diplomatic corps. Having emphasized the importance of the Resolution on financial issues of the diplomatic service signed by the head of state, the Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of all diplomats, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the great attention paid to the development of national diplomacy and assured that all the plans would be successfully implemented.

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that our country is actively developing interaction with the countries of the world in bilateral and multilateral formats. Having emphasized the importance of important events to be held in our country and abroad in 2025, the head of state expressed firm confidence that the employees of the diplomatic service will continue to work effectively in the name of further enhancing the international authority of the Fatherland. 

Then the Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of our country to the Swiss Confederation V.Hajiev spoke and cordially congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the 29th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality and the International Day of Neutrality. 

As noted, one of the main directions of the foreign policy strategy is the development of cooperation with the United Nations and its structural divisions. Among the main ones is the UN Economic Commission for Europe, interaction with which is active. Evidence of this is the chairmanship of Turkmenistan in 2025 in the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asian Countries – SPECA. In this context, it was reported that for the successful implementation of the assigned mission, the Concept of the chairmanship and the Plan of upcoming events were approved.

The diplomat also noted that thanks to the constructive initiatives of Hero-Arkadag and the constructive policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, our country fruitfully cooperates with the International Organization for Migration. Turkmenistan’s large-scale activities in this area are widely supported by the world community.

Having expressed, on behalf of the staff of the Mission to the UN Office in Geneva of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Swiss Confederation, great gratitude for the comprehensive support in their work, the plenipotentiary assured President Serdar Berdimuhamedov that the employees of the diplomatic service will continue to make a worthy contribution to solving the tasks set.

Then, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to Afghanistan H. Ovezov, on behalf of the country’s diplomats, congratulated the head of state on the International Day of Neutrality and wished him good health, longevity and success in all endeavors.

Thanks to the foreign policy being implemented, based on the principles of permanent neutrality, great importance is attached to strengthening relations with the countries of the region and neighboring states. As the plenipotentiary representative noted, according to the established good tradition, Turkmenistan provides assistance to the peaceful development of Afghanistan and its people, including humanitarian aid on a regular basis. In this regard, it was emphasized that the leadership and residents of the neighboring country express deep gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people and the President of Turkmenistan for their comprehensive support. 

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the start of construction of the Serhetabat-Herat section, which is an important stage in the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline project, and the Serhetabat-Herat fiber-optic communication line, called “Arkadagyň ak ýoly”, the commissioning of a power plant located in the Afghan province of Herat as part of the implementation of the first stage of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line project, as well as steel highways passing through the territory of Afghanistan to the countries of the region.

In conclusion of his speech, H. Ovezov, on behalf of the diplomats of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Afghanistan, expressed deep gratitude to the head of state and Hero Arkadag for the attention paid to the issues of strengthening the legal and material-technical base of the diplomatic service, improving the social and living conditions of its employees, assuring that every effort will be made to fulfill the priority tasks of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. 

Concluding the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov once again warmly congratulated everyone on the upcoming International Day of Neutrality and wished them good health, happiness and great success in their work for the benefit of the people and the Fatherland.

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Today, following the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers, a ceremony was held in the Oguzhan Palace Complex to present President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as members of the Government, heads of the country’s military and law enforcement agencies with the jubilee medal of Turkmenistan “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and a set of commemorative signs.

At the beginning of the celebration, the head of the national parliament D.Gulmanova read out the relevant Resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.

According to the document, taking into account the outstanding merits in the all-round prosperity of our Motherland in the era of the Revival of a new epoch of a powerful state, in strengthening cooperation, peaceful relations of friendship and brotherhood with the states of the world and authoritative international organizations, the world triumph of cultural and spiritual values, the cultural heritage of the Turkmen people, in the collection and scientific study of the rich and priceless literary heritage of the great thinker of the East, a prominent Turkmen classical poet, a treasure trove of reason Magtymguly Pyragy, which entered the golden fund of world literature, the propaganda and implementation of important political and philosophical, social, humane, spiritual and moral views that have become the unshakable pillars of Turkmen society, the education of the younger generation on the basis of the humane and spiritual and moral views of Magtymguly Pyragy, the formation of high moral qualities in young people, the perpetuation of the poet’s literary heritage on a legislative basis, as well as proposals received from representatives of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, large public associations of our country, labor collectives and citizens, and in connection with the 300th anniversary of the birth of Magtymguly Pyragy, in accordance with the Resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, based on Article 81 of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was solemnly awarded the jubilee medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and a set of commemorative signs.

Then a ceremony was held to present the jubilee medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and a set of commemorative signs to the Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies. 

On behalf of the members of the Government, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov cordially congratulated President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the well-deserved state award and on the International Day of Neutrality. On behalf of the country’s leadership, the Deputy Prime Minister, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed sincere gratitude to the head of state for awarding the jubilee medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and commemorative signs, assuring that every effort will continue to be made to make a worthy contribution to the further comprehensive development of the Fatherland, the implementation of large-scale progressive reforms initiated by Hero-Arkadag and successfully implemented under the leadership of Arkadagly Hero Serdar. 

Then, on behalf of the entire military and law enforcement personnel, Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense B. Gundogdyev cordially congratulated the President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country on the presentation of the jubilee medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” and a set of commemorative signs, expressing his best wishes in this regard. Having also expressed deep gratitude to the head of state for awarding the heads of security agencies with this honorary award, the Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense assured that the defenders of the Fatherland will make every effort to successfully complete the important and responsible tasks assigned to them.  

Having expressed gratitude for congratulations and good wishes, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted that he was accepting the award established on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the great poet and thinker Magtymguly Pyragy – the medal “Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna” during the celebration of the 29th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality as an award to the entire Turkmen people.

This state award, Arkadagly Hero Serdar emphasized, obliges us to continue to work with inspiration and hard work for the well-being of the Fatherland and the happy life of our courageous people.

At the end of the ceremony, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated everyone on the International Day of Neutrality, as well as on the state awards presented today, and wished them great success in their work for the further prosperity of the independent neutral Motherland.