The practice of neutrality is an alternative to the conflict potential of the world
It was at the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in October 1995, held in the Colombian city of Cartagena, that the decision of Turkmenistan to consolidate its neutral foreign policy status was unanimously approved by the participating countries. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov recalled this fact in his speech at the current Baku Summit of NAM.
The support of the Movement has become an important milestone on the path of official recognition by the UN of Turkmen neutrality, which will be 25 years old in 2020, as well as Turkmenistan’s membership in NAM.
The ideas of neutrality, its philosophy have something in common with the landmarks of the Non-Aligned Movement, Berdimuhamedov said. He invited the heads of delegation of the summit to the anniversary celebrations to be held next year in Ashgabat on the occasion of the significant date of December 12th. Among them is an international high-level conference on peace, security and sustainable development.
In February 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring December 12 as International Day of Neutrality.
Neutrality in international law means non-participation in the war, and in peacetime refusal to participate in military blocs. In addition, the policy of neutrality is closely linked to the tools of preventive diplomacy, such as early warning and conflict prevention, mediation and negotiations.
The national policy of neutrality pursued by Turkmenistan contributes to the strengthening of international peace and security in the region, serves as an alternative to the growing conflict potential on the planet, playing an important role in the development of friendly and mutually beneficial relations between countries.
