Ms. Soysal is a journalist, working for the international publications EU Reporter and Bruxelles Korner.

ORIENT has already written that Derya Soysal has been actively cooperating with the diplomatic mission of Turkmenistan in Brussels over the past few months.

Thanks to her scientific and media speeches at academic platforms, international conferences, television and radio programs, a broad understanding and recognition of the constructive foreign policy of Turkmenistan, in particular, the policy of positive neutrality, is being formed. We met for an interview, and before starting the conversation with Ms. Soysal, the head of ORIENT presented her with souvenirs with the logo of our website.

- Ms. Soysal, our readers know very well that you are involved in Central Asian issues. Tell us, how did you become interested in our region in general and Turkmenistan in particular?

– Very, very early. You probably won't believe it, but my interest in Turkmenistan began in childhood. The first book I read as a child contained poems by the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Fragi. His 300th anniversary, as you know, was widely celebrated and is still celebrated not only in Turkmenistan, but throughout the world, as it was included in the UNESCO List of Important Dates for the period 2024-2025.

So, from a very early age, thanks to Magtymguly, I became interested in Turkmenistan, which, in fact, is my historical homeland. We say about the Turkmens and the Turks: "Two states, but one people!"

And I was immensely happy when I had the good fortune to come to Turkmenistan and take part in the anniversary celebrations and the International Forum “The Interconnection of Times and Civilizations – the Basis of Peace and Development.”

The high level of the events, large-scale in form and grandiose in content, was confirmed by the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, a number of heads of state and government, heads of parliaments and international organizations, famous diplomats and prominent scientists, cultural figures and artists.

Unforgettable impressions from the festive events dedicated to Magtymguly, whose work entered the treasury of world civilization, influencing the philosophical thought and literary tradition not only of his time, but also our modern life, will forever remain in my memory.

- What aspects of life in Turkmenistan interest you most?

– Everything here impresses me! Turkmenistan is a country with an ancient history and a unique culture. National heritage, architectural monuments, arts and crafts, traditional clothing, original music and the incredibly expressive Turkmen language.

I discover all this with great interest again and again. And I want to get to know the intricacies of everything I come into contact with in Turkmenistan even more deeply in order to spread knowledge about it through my publications, including about the policy of neutrality, the economy of modern Turkmenistan, and much more.

Therefore, I am very happy to be here, because for me this is another chance to directly touch cultural values and see with my own eyes the economic self-sufficiency of the country and the prosperity of my historical compatriots.

– Khanum Soysal, please say a few words about your professional activities...

– I am a journalist, working for the international publications EU Reporter and Bruxelles Korner, as your website ORIENT wrote about.

– Yes, that is true, but remind our readers about it.

– Not long ago, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium presented me with an accreditation card. Since then, I have been a correspondent for Bruxelles Korner, accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

But the object of my journalistic research is not only the relations developing between Central Asia and the European Union, I also provide expert assessments of issues related to environmental management.

– How great is the interest of European circles in Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, in your observations?

– The interest is certainly great. There are many examples that confirm this fact. But it is enough to recall the results of the First EU-CA Summit in April of this year. Then the leaders of the European Union and the Central Asian states clearly stated their desire to interact more closely in the current turbulent conditions and bring the relations between our regions to the level of strategic cooperation.

At the same time, high-ranking participants of the summit confirmed the good results that have already been achieved in developing the partnership between the European Union and Central Asia.

The EU leaders and the heads of the Central Asian states expressed their desire to further strengthen transport links, which are an important factor in economic growth and regional integration. They also agreed to continue to support the Coordination Platform of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor in order to provide access to the markets of both sides, as well as to ensure closer mutually beneficial cooperation.

And in this context, great opportunities are opening up for the so-called Sea Gate to Central Asia – the International Sea Port of Turkmenbashi.

And in my opinion, the European countries are particularly interested in Turkmenistan’s policy of positive neutrality.

– This is precisely what my next question is related to. How do European politicians and analysts perceive the role of Turkmenistan in regional processes, given our neutral status?

– Today, the world is experiencing a large number of not only local, but also extremely dangerous conflicts that can harm all of humanity. And the policy of state neutrality with its enormous peacekeeping potential vividly illustrates all the advantages of using exclusively the peace-making capabilities of political and diplomatic instruments in resolving interstate contentious issues and conflicts.

This year, Turkmenistan celebrates an important milestone in its modern history - the 30th anniversary of acquiring neutral status. And although this status, officially supported by the UN General Assembly, is only three decades old, it is worth noting that peacefulness has been a characteristic feature of the Turkmen people throughout their history.

And today, neutrality, which is the basis of the country's modern foreign policy doctrine, can be said to be the brainchild of the national character.

In the 1990s, which for a number of countries were burdened by the difficulties of the transition period, the Turkmen people took an active part and provided their territory for the holding of both inter-Tajik and inter-Afghan negotiations.

(Editor's note: Turkmenistan played a decisive role in the settlement of the conflict in Tajikistan, especially at the stage of the fifth round of inter-Tajik negotiations, which took place in Ashgabat in July 1996.

With regard to Afghanistan, Turkmenistan also demonstrated its readiness to mediate between the different parties to the conflict for the sake of peacefully achieving a political compromise. An inter-Afghan "round table" was organized, and in January 1997, an international UN forum on Afghanistan was held.

Thus, Turkmenistan, adhering to the political line of permanent neutrality and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, provided a platform for negotiations, thereby demonstrating a peace-making role and readiness to become the center of peacekeeping activities in Central Asia.)

– That is why Turkmenistan’s peace-loving policy, based on the state status of neutrality, is a good example for many countries. And it is not surprising that the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was opened in Ashgabat, which can be perceived as recognition by the world community, represented by the UN, of the country’s active peacekeeping position.

– Khanum Soysal, what is the global significance of Turkmenistan's initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust by the United Nations?

– This initiative has an important global and symbolic significance, especially in the context of increasing international tensions and a deficit of strategic trust between countries. And the proclamation of 2025 as the Year of Peace and Trust through the UN General Assembly resolution emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts in preventing conflicts and resolving disputes without the use of force.

This is in line with the United Nations course on developing preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding.

2025 is a time when the world community seeks to adapt to the consequences of global crises – pandemics, military conflicts, climate disasters. The declaration of the Year of Peace and Trust allows us to integrate these issues into a broader framework of global humanism and solidarity.

– It seems to me that in the context of geopolitical fault lines, this initiative of Turkmenistan also demonstrates that not only large and medium-sized states, but also small countries can contribute to strengthening global security and stability.

– Yes, this confirms the idea of ​​the need for universal involvement in international affairs, expanding the role of such countries not as silent observers, but as mediators of peace initiatives. And this approach is all the more important at a time when some states and international organizations are facing a crisis of trust.

And from an image point of view, this initiative helps to consolidate Turkmenistan's status as a neutral and peace-loving state that plays a constructive role in the international arena. This is also consistent with the recognition of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality by UN resolutions of 1995 and 2015.

– If you do not mind, I suggest moving on to the environmental topic.

– Of course, this is one of the most pressing problems in the region, which was emphasized by all participants of the EU-CA summit.

– In your opinion, what are the main environmental challenges facing Central Asia today? And what are the ways to address them in the region together with the European Union?

– Against the backdrop of growing climate challenges – global warming, more frequent extreme weather events and environmental degradation – sustainable development issues are becoming not just declarative, but a priority. In this context, the environmental agenda became one of the key areas discussed at the First EU-Central Asia Summit.

At that time, EU leaders and heads of Central Asian states expressed their readiness to intensify joint efforts to combat climate change. One of the practical results was the accession of states in the region, including Turkmenistan, to the Global Commitment to Reduce Methane Emissions – an initiative that the European Union views as one of the most effective tools in the fight against greenhouse gases.

Particular attention was paid to the issues of water and energy sustainability. The EU leaders and the Presidents of the Central Asian states confirmed their intention to promote innovative solutions in this area, emphasizing the importance of specific, socially oriented measures for the rational use of water resources. Water security, as emphasized by all participants of the above-mentioned summit, remains a cornerstone of regional development and stability.

The need to intensify joint efforts to improve the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Aral Sea zone and in its basin as a whole was also noted. In this context, the EU and Central Asian leaders confirmed their desire to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the relevant regional mechanisms.

In addition, the summit participants emphasized the importance of increasing the effectiveness of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, considering it an important tool for supporting sustainable agriculture and increasing food security in Central Asia.

– Well, Khanum Soysal, during our conversation we touched upon almost all vital aspects of the two large regions of the European Union and Central Asia. Thank you very much on behalf of our readers.

– I have been following the ORIENT website for a long time and enjoy reading its materials. As far as I know, this publication is very popular in Turkey. Living in Brussels, I often mention it in my publications. I am sure that in the near future the popularity of the site will increase significantly.

– Let me thank you once again for your kind words and the time you devoted to the interview. And on behalf of the readers of the ORIENT website, let me wish you success in your new career as a correspondent for the international publication Bruxelles Korner, accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV