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NATO special representative to discuss Partnership For Peace with Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan Materials 5 February 2009 15:11 (UTC +04:00)

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 5 / Trend , E.Hasanov /

NATO Special Representative to the Caspian Region Robert Simmons will discuss the Partnership For Peace program in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan joined the program in 1994.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov will meet the NATO delegation. Meetings are also planned at the Defense Ministry and parliament.

NATO representatives said relations with Turkmenistan were built taking into account its neutral status. The cooperation covers protecting the population in emergency situations, providing academic training and development, developing environmental initiatives, combating drug trafficking and joint efforts to strengthen borders and combat international terrorism.

In late January, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry called information released by the Russian press "false" that the country will provide logistical assistance to NATO forces deployed in Afghanistan. The information was an attempt to damage the image of Turkmenistan whose neutral status is formalized by a special resolution of the UN General Assembly.

Turkmenistan has a long border with Afghanistan.

Official Ashgabat refused to provide a transport corridor for weapons, excluding humanitarian aid, to NATO when the organization launched military operations against the Taliban. In early 2009, the country adopted a doctrine to continue its neutrality and non-participation in blocs.

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