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only under these circumstances that Turkmenistan's foreign policy, about by its particular geographical
we could guarantee peace and unity corresponding to the global targets of milieu and which are a fundamental
for our people, while advancing our the world community. This also reflects basis for its internal and foreign policy
economic and social development the growing cooperation between interests and priorities. The particular
plans. Turkmenistan and the United Nations, interests of our country in the inter-
resulting in its participation in the key national sphere consist of protecting
Neutrality became the best model for structures of this, the largest inter- our sovereignty and consolidating
implementing these plans and goals, national organization. The foreign Turkmenistan's position in the inter-
allowing Turkmenistan's foreign poli- policy of neutral Turkmenistan allows national arena; also the development
cy to be constructed in a harmonious the country not only to play an active of equal and mutually beneficial rela-
and natural way. Thus, we started role in geopolitical and geo-economic tions with all countries, as well as with
to pursue a consistently sovereign, processes, but also serves as their cata- international organizations.
neutral and, at the same time, active lyst, promoting the creation of a new
and constructive foreign policy. It architecture for a global world order. Thus, it should especially be noted
is not surprising that our efforts to that the terms "national interests",
secure Turkmenistan's neutrality as Turkmenistan's neutrality serves as a "foreign policy interests and prio-
an international legal entity met with mechanism for combining geopoliti- rities" are in a direct relationship
non-threatening attitudes and under- cal interests in a constructive manner, because without the definition of the
standing from other countries. At first, an important factor in guaranteeing first concept it is impossible to formu-
we received support from our neigh- regional stability and the establish- late the second. The national interests
bours in the region, and then from ment of a civilized dialogue. This has of Turkmenistan define not only the
the non-aligned movement. On 12 been shown by Turkmenistan's inter- current focus of the state's domestic
December 1995 the General Assembly national initiatives put forward during and foreign policy, but also its strategic
of the United Nations unanimously the sixty-ninth session of the UN Ge- objectives. It stands to reason that there
adopted the Resolution on the Perma- neral Assembly on the protection and are national, regional and wider inter-
nent Neutrality of Turkmenistan. It is strengthening of universal peace and national interests at the heart of Turk-
significant that twenty-five states co- security, cooperation in the energy and menistan's balanced foreign policy
sponsored this resolution. Today, on transport sectors, on humanitarian developed by President Gurbanguly
the eve of its twentieth anniversary, I issues and human rights, ecology and Berdimuhamedov.
would like to express once again our environmental protection. These in
profound gratitude to the countries- particular were the basic ideas behind Q. There has been talk of new roads
co-sponsors of the Resolution, and to the foundation of a Sub-Regional UN and railways, as well as general
all members of the international com- Disarmament Centre in Asia and the economic development through-
munity, international organizations, conduct of a Security and Peace Fo- out Central Asia. Could you tell
statesmen and politicians for suppor- rum in Central Asia, which Turkmen- where Turkmenistan stands on this
ting Turkmenistan in this venture. istan proposes to hold in Ashgabat matter?
during 2015.
Q. What are the current priorities Railways and highways are important
of Turkmenistan's foreign policy? The national interests of Turkmenis- structures in the international trans-
tan include the complex of issues co- port network. In Turkmenistan today,
Peace, security and development vering the individual, the society and in order to favour transport and tran-
-- these are the key priorities of the state in various spheres brought sit corridors, exceptional engineering

International 13