Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 12
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
Turkmenistan on Dec.12 celebrates one of the most important holidays of the country, the 20th anniversary of international recognition of the country's neutrality, Trend's special correspondent reported.
Heads of states and governments of many countries, heads of authoritative international organizations, numerous representatives of foreign media have arrived in Turkmenistan to participate in the celebrations and the international conference on the occasion of the neutrality holiday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, the deputy head of China Li Yuanchao, the first vice president of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri and many others are among the honored guests, which arrived in Turkmenistan on the occasion of the Neutrality Day.
Azerbaijani delegation, which arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the events on the occasion of the Neutrality Day, was headed by Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov.
Turkmenistan's decision to accept the permanent neutrality status was officially recognized by the UN in 1995. The headquarters of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia is in Ashgabat. Turkmenistan's declaration of permanent neutrality was recognized and supported by the UN General Assembly. Turkmenistan follows the policy of positive neutrality and defense sufficiency. The main idea is to refuse from participating in any military-political blocs, according to the approved military doctrine.
The year 2015 was previously announced in Turkmenistan the Year of Neutrality and Peace on the proposal of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov and considering the wish of the Turkmen people. Speaking at a recent enlarged meeting of the government, the Turkmen president said that the neutral model of foreign policy strategy was chosen primarily because of the country's national interests.
"The young Turkmen state has sought to cooperate with the neighboring countries, maintaining peaceful relations," he said. "Our goal was to maintain friendly and equal relations with all countries of the world, develop mutually beneficial economic and trade relations."
Berdimuhammadov went on to add that all the projects implemented and planned with the participation of Turkmenistan have no geopolitical views and goals.
The Neutrality Day in Turkmenistan is a non-working day. On this day, mass festivities and celebrations are held all over the country.
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