Ashgabat celebrates 50th anniversary of OSCE: dialogue, trust and cooperation
ASHGABAT, April 22 (ORIENT). The Turkmen capital hosted a forum dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). This significant event, held at the Yildiz Hotel, brought together diplomats, representatives of international organizations, national institutions and public figures, becoming an important platform for dialogue on comprehensive security in the interests of peace and trust.
50 years ago, the Helsinki Final Act became a turning point in world history, laying the foundation for an unprecedented dialogue between the countries of the East and the West for the sake of peace and stability. The principles of this document - non-use of force, inviolability of borders, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for human rights - are fully consistent with the philosophy of foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan and its ancient traditions of peacefulness, hospitality and good neighborliness.
The signing of the Helsinki Final Act was a turning point in world history, as for the first time, countries of the East and West agreed to work together for peace, stability and trust. Over this half a century, the OSCE has become the largest regional security organization, uniting 57 states and almost a billion people in Europe, Asia and North America.
Since the opening of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in 1999, cooperation between Turkmenistan and the organization has steadily expanded, and the Centre itself has become a platform for dialogue and practical cooperation. This work would not have been possible without the professionalism of the Centre’s Turkmen staff.
Over the decades, many joint projects have been implemented in the fields of security, sustainable development, ecology, training specialists, enhancing the capabilities of government agencies in the field of digitalization and cybersecurity, supporting transboundary cooperation in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins, etc.
Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, recognized at the international level, has become not just a foreign policy tool, but also an example for other countries. Ashgabat demonstrates that neutrality may not be a passive position, but an active platform for peacekeeping, diplomacy and mutual respect.
Turkmenistan’s contribution to promoting dialogue in Central Asia, including through the mediation of the OSCE, is becoming increasingly noticeable. This is confirmed by initiatives at the UN, as well as the country's recognition as a reliable partner in international confidence-building efforts.
The current year, 2025, is especially symbolic. It combines the 50th anniversary of the OSCE Helsinki Act, the 30th anniversary of the recognition of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality by the United Nations, and the 80th anniversary of the UN itself. This coincidence symbolizes the deep connection between the OSCE principles and Turkmenistan's foreign policy based on dialogue, trust, and respect for international law. The proclamation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust on the initiative of Turkmenistan, unanimously supported by the UN, has become another vivid confirmation of this connection and the country's active role in the global arena.
In modern conditions, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is still in demand as a platform for dialogue. And for Turkmenistan, participation in the OSCE is an opportunity to share unique experience of positive neutrality, sustainable development, and regional cooperation.
The main idea of the OSCE is that everything starts with dialogue. Even if there are disagreements, it is important not to isolate ourselves, but to look for ways to understanding. And this is where the example of Turkmenistan is especially important – the country demonstrates how one can remain neutral and at the same time actively participate in solving global problems.
Dialogue, trust and peace are not just slogans, but practical guidelines that unite Turkmenistan and the OSCE in their quest for a stable and just world. In the context of global challenges, it is states like Turkmenistan that become the backbone of multilateral dialogue and sustainable security architecture. The forum in Ashgabat provided an opportunity for a meaningful exchange of views.
The session, moderated by William Leaf, Political Affairs Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat John MacGregor, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the OSCE Hemra Amannazarov (online), and video addresses were made by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office – Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Kate Fearon. Representatives of the Mejlis, ministries, the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General's Office, the State Border Service, the Ombudsman's Office, the Institute of International Relations and the public organization "Yenme" took part in the discussion.
Ambassador John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, began his speech by addressing the guests in Turkmen, which was a special gesture of respect and endeared him to the audience. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan for its support and participation in organizing the Forum.
Ambassador MacGregor shared personal memories of the summer of 1975, when, as a young officer in the Canadian Navy, he was amazed to hear the news from Helsinki about the agreement between the East and the West that laid the foundation for the OSCE, the largest regional security organization. He has decades of honorable service in uniform and work in the OSCE system, including leading missions in various countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and the last four years in Turkmenistan. This professional path, from military service to diplomacy of peace and cooperation, clearly testifies to him as a man of honor and duty, who has dedicated his life to the cause of security and mutual understanding.
He elaborated on the fundamental logic of the OSCE: Dialogue leads to Understanding, Understanding leads to Trust, Trust leads to Confidence, Confidence reduces Conflict, and less conflict means more Security and Peace. Ambassador MacGregor emphasized that even in the face of disagreement, the OSCE continues to use its potential for dialogue among its 57 participating States. He recalled the ten Helsinki Principles, calling them an outstanding and visionary agreement.
Drawing on his many years of experience in various OSCE field missions, the Ambassador described how the Organization’s work has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, helping to modernize justice, monitor conflicts, and prevent escalation.
Ambassador MacGregor singled out Turkmenistan’s contribution in particular, noting how the country’s actions and foreign policy, fully consistent with OSCE principles, have significantly contributed to the promotion of dialogue, trust, understanding and peace in the region. The recent unanimous adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on the “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan” (21 March 2025) and the adoption of a UN resolution initiated by Turkmenistan to proclaim 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust were cited as striking examples. He stressed that Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality, enshrined in the Constitution and stemming from the historical traditions of the people (dialogue, mutual respect, good-neighbourliness, trust and peace), is not just a foreign policy tool, but also an active platform for peacekeeping. The OSCE fully supports efforts aimed at achieving these goals.
In closing, Ambassador MacGregor addressed the participants, reflecting on “where we go from here” after 50 years of OSCE activity and 30 years of permanent neutrality by Turkmenistan, reiterating the common goals of Turkmenistan and the OSCE.
That evening, a gala reception to mark the 50th anniversary of the OSCE was held, which became a bright end to the day and a symbol of warm cooperation. The atmosphere of the reception was filled with sincerity and mutual respect.
A special moment was the appearance of Head of the OSCE Centre, Ambassador John MacGregor, greeting the guests in the traditional Turkmen national dress – a red robe-don with stripes, belted with a sash, and a skullcap-tahya. This very expressive gesture sincerely touched all those present, especially the representatives of Turkmenistan.
This detail was not isolated. Many other ambassadors, employees of diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organizations also demonstrated their respect for the Turkmen culture by including elements of the traditional Turkmen style in their appearance - be it accessories, elements of national ornamentation in modern clothes or traditional Turkmen jewelry, which is especially appreciated by ladies from diplomatic missions. This has long been a good tradition for the diplomatic corps in Ashgabat.
Such respect for the culture of the host country on the part of foreign guests is not just a formality, but a real bridge between peoples. This demonstrated a deep connection of times, reminiscent of how, in the era of the Great Silk Road, it was Turkmen carpets that were among the first "messengers" of Turkmen culture in Europe, telling about the craftsmanship and soul of the people without words. Today, this dialogue of cultures continues at a new level, enriching mutual understanding.
At the reception, Ambassador MacGregor, whose mission in Turkmenistan is nearing completion, expressed words of deep gratitude and shared his best impressions of his work in the country and of Turkmenistan in general, emphasizing how much he appreciates the opportunity to serve here.
In turn, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Myahri Byashimova highly praised the role of Ambassador MacGregor as the head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, noting that during his mission the range of cooperation between the OSCE and Turkmenistan has significantly expanded. Over the years of the Centre’s existence, the parties have built a partnership that is not formal, but rather a living, practical interaction based on the needs of the state and society, the Deputy Minister noted.
The celebrations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the OSCE in Ashgabat demonstrated not only Turkmenistan’s commitment to the principles of the Organization and its active role in regional security and dialogue, but also a warm atmosphere of cooperation based on mutual respect and cultural exchange, which makes this partnership truly strong and promising.
