Positive neutrality and multi-vector diplomacy of Turkmenistan

Over the past three decades of independence, Turkmenistan has achieved impressive success in building a balanced multi-vector diplomacy based on the principles of permanent positive neutrality. Respect for this status by the international community has demonstrated the wisdom of Ashgabat's chosen foreign policy course, Arzuw NEWS correspondent reports.

Since independence, Turkmenistan has established diplomatic relations with 151 States and has 41 foreign missions. Turkmenistan itself has 30 embassies, 4 consulates and 16 representative offices of foreign States and international organizations. The country is a party to 177 international treaties and agreements. Turkmenistan considers strengthening peace and stability, realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and regional cooperation as priority areas of its foreign policy.

Relying on the firm basis of neutrality, Turkmenistan actively develops equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with all interested partners, which is facilitated by the favorable geopolitical location of the country. By expanding its participation in international economic and humanitarian projects, the republic is making a significant contribution to strengthening global peace, security and prosperity. The country is also actively developing interaction with influential international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In this analytical article we will consider the main directions, achievements and challenges of the foreign policy of modern Turkmenistan, analyze the prospects of combining the neutral status of the country with the development of multifaceted international relations.

Openness and positive neutrality are the foundations of Turkmenistan's foreign policy course

Turkmenistan's foreign policy is built on the principles of friendliness, openness and the desire for equal cooperation with all countries. Respect for the sovereignty of other States and adherence to diplomatic methods of settling disputes form the basis of this peace-loving course.

Based on its status of positive neutrality, the country does not participate in any military alliances and blocs. At the same time, Turkmenistan actively advocates the strengthening of regional good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial partnerships in Central Asia. This policy of openness and peacefulness simultaneously allows the country to effectively defend its national interests and creates a solid basis for expanding its participation in the global economy and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Energy partnership with the countries of the region

Turkmenistan's rich hydrocarbon reserves open up opportunities for Turkmenistan to develop large-scale energy partnerships with neighboring countries on a mutually beneficial basis. Natural gas supplies to Russia, Iran, Afghanistan and other Central Asian states help meet their growing demand for this environmentally friendly energy carrier.

In turn, gas exports provide Turkmenistan with solid revenues for socio-economic development and improving the welfare of the population. This symbiosis of interests creates a solid foundation for the expansion of large-scale mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries of the region in the long term.

By strengthening the strategic energy partnership with its neighbors, Turkmenistan is making a significant contribution to global energy security and prosperity of the entire Eurasian region. This is fully in line with the course of openness and good neighborliness pursued by the country.

Neutrality as the basis of foreign policy strategy

The consolidation of the international legal status of permanent neutrality was one of the key foreign policy achievements of Turkmenistan in the first years of independence. In December 1995, the neutral status of the republic was officially supported by 185 countries at the UN General Assembly. Turkmenistan became the first state in the world with an internationally recognized neutral status. This gave additional weight to Ashgabat's position on the world stage.

As an active and responsible member of the international community, for three decades Turkmenistan has consistently advocated a peaceful, political and diplomatic settlement of all contentious issues. This approach has been highly appreciated by authoritative international organizations and meets the aspirations of the peoples of the region seeking stability and prosperity.

Remaining faithful to the ideals of neutrality, Turkmenistan will continue to make constructive efforts to strengthen the atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding in Central Asia and beyond. This balanced policy paves the way for the expansion of mutually beneficial partnerships between Turkmenistan and other countries.

International cooperation for peace and prosperity

Turkmenistan's participation in reputable international organizations opens up great opportunities for expanding mutually beneficial partnership with other countries in the interests of peace and prosperity. Joining the UN, the World Bank, the OIC and many other structures has allowed the republic to actively integrate into the key areas of global economic and humanitarian cooperation.

At the same time, Turkmenistan emphasizes the peacemaking and constructive nature of multilateral ties. This approach fully reflects the country's commitment to the ideals of neutrality and serves to strengthen stability and the balance of power in the region.

Turkmenistan's longstanding constructive participation in the activities of the UN and other authoritative international platforms testifies to the country's desire to make a positive contribution to solving global challenges and strengthening the culture of trust between peoples. This is fully in line with the principles of the country's foreign policy.

The role of Turkmenistan in friendly interaction between the countries of Central Asia

Turkmenistan pays great attention to multilateral cooperation with the countries of Central Asia in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres. Active dialog in various regional formats contributes to strengthening friendship, trust and mutual understanding between peoples, and opens wide horizons for expanding trade and economic ties.

Being an active participant in joint initiatives, Turkmenistan makes a significant contribution to the implementation of major transport, energy and infrastructure projects that meet the common interests of the region. Developing close ties of good-neighborliness with the countries of Central Asia, the republic firmly follows the course of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the entire Eurasian region. This is fully in line with its international image as a bastion of positive neutrality.

Turkmenistan's multi-vector diplomacy

Turkmenistan maintains active diplomatic contacts with a wide range of foreign countries. As we have already written above, dozens of embassies are accredited in the country, and numerous international organizations are represented.

Such a representative diplomatic presence testifies to the growing authority of Turkmenistan in the world arena and the interest of the leading powers in expanding cooperation with this country. Special attention is paid to strengthening ties with strategic partners, primarily Russia, China, Turkey and the Persian Gulf countries.

At the same time, Turkmenistan demonstrates openness to dialog with all interested parties. The intensification of contacts with European countries, the United States, Japan and other developed economies is in line with the policy of expanding economic ties with the world's leading powers.

The extensive network of embassies and consulates in many countries of the world allows Turkmenistan to actively promote trade and economic interests, increase exports of energy resources, attract investments and technologies to modernize the national economy.

Thus, intensive international contacts in all directions fully meet the concept of multi-vector foreign policy of Turkmenistan aimed at ensuring the national interests of the country in the spirit of positive neutrality.

Contributing to the global sustainable development agenda

True to the principles of responsible international citizenship, Turkmenistan actively promotes the global agenda on climate change, peace and security. The leadership of Turkmenistan consistently promotes specific initiatives at major international platforms, calling on the world community for consolidated action.

In particular, Turkmenistan is the author of a number of environmental initiatives to preserve the Caspian Sea ecosystems, combat desertification, and promote "green" technologies. In addition, the country made a significant contribution to the proclamation by the UN General Assembly of 2023 as the International Year of Peace.

That peacekeeping diplomacy is fully consistent with Turkmenistan's status of positive neutrality and demonstrates its commitment to building trust and understanding among peoples for sustainable development.

Humanistic traditions of foreign policy

For many centuries, the Turkmen people have followed the high ideals of humanism, mercy and mutual assistance. These values are deeply rooted in the mentality and culture of Turkmens and today determine the nature of the foreign policy course of sovereign Turkmenistan.

The country's leadership regularly organizes supplies of humanitarian aid to neighboring Afghanistan, as well as to other states in Central Asia and the Middle East, where there is an acute need for food, medicines and fuel. Special attention is paid to supporting children from low-income families.

Such constructive humanitarian diplomacy based on the centuries-old traditions of the Turkmen people has earned respect of the international community and strengthened the image of Turkmenistan as a responsible partner in the international arena.

Peacekeeping diplomacy in action

The year 2023 was marked by the intensification of Turkmenistan's peacekeeping initiatives in the world arena. At the suggestion of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the United Nations declared last year the International Year of Peace and Confidence. This gave a new impetus to the efforts of the international community to strengthen stability and security around the world.

Engaging in a rich dialog with key partners, Turkmenistan actively promotes the agenda of trust and creation in interstate relations. The visits of the President of Turkmenistan to a number of countries in Asia and the Middle East in 2023 gave a new breath to trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation with these states.

This fruitful work for the benefit of peace is highly appreciated by the international community and strengthens the authority of Turkmenistan as one of the leaders of positive transformative diplomacy in the Eurasian space.

To summarize, we would like to emphasize once again that Turkmenistan's foreign policy demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the principles of peace, neutrality and equal partnership. Over 30 years, the country has achieved impressive success in building balanced international relations based on respect for sovereignty and mutual benefit.

As a reliable supplier of energy resources, Turkmenistan plays a key role in ensuring energy security in the region. Relying on the status of permanent positive neutrality, the country makes a valuable contribution to strengthening peace and stability in Central Asia. Actively promoting the sustainable development agenda, Turkmenistan consistently upholds humanistic values in world politics.

This analysis will allow readers to better appreciate the great positive potential of Turkmenistan's foreign policy strategy based on the ideals of peace, friendship and fruitful cooperation between peoples.