The foreign policy of Turkmenistan has always been carried out on the basis of the principle of permanent neutrality. From the first days of independence, the principle of neutrality has been firmly entrenched in the foreign policy of Turkmenistan. As a result, a political strategy was developed to protect the national interests of Turkmenistan, and in its foreign policy, certain efforts carried out to this end before gaining the status of permanent neutrality.
The status of permanent neutrality, which turned Ashgabat into a center of international cooperation, further strengthened the prestige and significant role of Turkmenistan in international organizations and interstate relations as a geopolitical, authoritative and reliable state.
The steps that “confirm”, “strengthen” and “guarantee” Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality are an indication that Ashgabat's policies are widely recognized and supported throughout the world. The UN decision to open in Ashgabat a UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in 2007, the adoption in 2015 of the second Resolution "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" and the declaration of December 12 as an International Day of Neutrality in 2017 are a vivid example of how Ashgabat will become the center of peace globally.
Since gaining the status of permanent neutrality, Turkmenistan has achieved significant successes, including:
- Safety and resilience. Ashgabat, recognized as the heart of Asia, in the period of increasing confrontation in the world offers humanity the most useful solution – peace.
- Turkmenistan, which has the status of permanent neutrality, does not need serious armament. Instead, the government focuses the resources on the development of the country.
- Since peace and security are the most important factors for foreign investments into a country, Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality has resulted in significant inflow of foreign funds.
- The country has the right to apply for economic and technical assistance from the member countries of the United Nations at any time.
- Especially during the transition period, the status has made an important psychological contribution to society and the country in order to gain confidence.
- Increased the country's prestige in the region.
The Permanent Neutrality status as an economic gain has enabled Turkmenistan to be seen as a stable, predictable and investable country for investors. Politically, Turkmenistan, together with the UN, pursues a policy of ensuring security and peace, which is the basis of the UN. In this regard, Turkmenistan implements policies that complement and support UN policies, and makes efforts to ensure global peace.
Nurmyrat Mommayev,
PhD Candidate at Marmara University's Department of Political Science and International Relations in Istanbul, Turkey
