By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
On 5th August 2020, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad and Embassy of Turkmenistan to Pakistan jointly organized a Webinar titled “Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Instrumental to Socioeconomic Prosperity and Regional Connectivity”.
The sessionwas commenced with the opening remarks by Major General Syed Khalid Amir JafferyHI(M), (Retd), President CGSS. He stated that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy cordial relations. Turkmenistan is a very significant stop on the Silk Route with 4th largest reserves of natural gas. Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality has promoted peace, stability and development. TAPI project is a blessing for energy starve region, offering job opportunities.
His Excellency AtadjanMovlamov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan thanked CGSS for organizing the Webinar. He stated that Turkmenistan chose a model called Positive Neutrality and began to purposefully pursue a sovereign, neutral, but at the same time active and constructive foreign policy. For the last 25 years, Turkmenistan’s neutrality has recommended itself as an actual mechanism of establishment of fruitful cooperation in solution of current objectives, strengthening of friendly and neighboring relations between the states and nations. Our country has considerable peace-making experience, which is indicated by the talks on political solution of Tajikistan and Afghanistan conflicts in Ashgabat under the UN aegis in the middle of the 90s of the last century.Opening in Turkmen capital Ashgabat of the UN Regional Centre of Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in 2007, was a new milestone in fruitfully developing cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations.Turkmenistan takes active part in international efforts for strengthening of peace, security and cooperation in Central Asia.
Prof. Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, Director, Area Study Center (Russia, China, and Central Asia), University of Peshawar stated that Turkmenistan’s decision to adopt the policy of positive neutrality has positively impacted its security and economy and put the Republic on a right trajectory of development and prosperity since 1995. Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is a reflection of its commitment to regional and global peace.Being neutral, Turkmenistan has played active role in mediating regional conflicts.The Republic shows an unswerving commitment to its international legal status, and proves that the neutrality, peacefulness and good neighborliness form the basis of the country’s foreign policy.Turkmenistan is positively contributing and participating in regional affairs to promote peace and stability, socio economic development and to promote regional and international security by acting fairly.
Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Regional Geopolitical Analyst stated that neutrality and its foundation have enabled Turkmenistan to consistently follow true spirits, traditions, customs and heritage.Turkmenistan is the first and only country to have obtained a legal status ofneutrality, which is the basis of this country’s foreign policy. Turkmenistan neutrality is an important factor of regional security. Fundamental principles ofneutrality meet strategic directives of the UN in Central Asia, which are aimed at turning of the regioninto zone of peace and cooperation, solid link of continental stability. Neutrality international initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan has achieved manymilestones in terms of socio-economic prosperity, reduction of poverty, new job creation,regional connectivity and world partnerships.
Ms. Minahil Afridi, Research Assistant,CGSS stated the Turkmen neutrality has become the basis of a new concept of cooperation in the comity of states.As a neighboring country to Afghanistan, Turkmenistan had significant role to play in facilitating the Afghan Peace process.
The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia (UNRCCA) is based in Ashgabat. This unique outpost of the UN has the capacity and resources to provide the legal support in many important matters concerning the regional developments.Turkmenistan has also suggested various constructive transport and transit proposals, which have been greatly supported by the international community. These transit corridors aim to ensure international cooperation for sustainable development that Turkmenistan wishes to create so as to enhance regional integration.Reflecting upon the successes and achievements of Turkmenistan in its domestic and foreign policy realm, it is evident that the country’s neutrality is a strong pillar of its sovereign foreign policy.
The Webinar was attended by 42 participants and was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS.
