Turkmenistan Permanent Neutrality- 20th Anniversary and International Conference held in Islamabad

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The 20th Anniversary of Turkmenistan's announcement of Permanent Neutrality was celebrated by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Islamabad on 15 March 2015; wherein a day-long conference on the Foreign Policy of the country. The event was organized in collaboration with numerous Pakistani institutions.

H.E Mr. Sartaj Aziz Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on National Security and Foreign Affairs was the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he appreciated the adoption of 'Permanent Neutrality' by Turkmenistan some 20 years ago and said it had played an important role in enhancing and promoting the peaceful image of Turkmenistan in the region and global level. He further said promoting trade and economic activities would play an important role in strengthening people-to-people contact and enhancing peace, development and prosperity in the region. He emphasized the need to explore new avenues for promoting people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Turkmenistan especially with introduction of liberal visa regime, creating more opportunities for promoting trade and economic activities.

Turkmenistan's Ambassador at Large Sapar Berdiniyazov in his keynote address on this occasion said it was March 15, 1995 when the former President of Turkmenistan announced the policy of "Permanent Neutrality" while addressing a special function here in Islamabad during 3rd Summit of Heads of States of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) held at the same very hall of the hotel (Marriott) 20 years ago. On 12 December 2015, United Nations in New York had unanimously adopted a special resolution "On the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" in its 50th General Assembly Session and it was for the first time in the history of UN that status of Permanent Neutrality was granted to any state in the World. He further said that this policy of neutrality had been strictly observed and adopted by all the successive governments of Turkmenistan and this unique status of Neutrality allows Turkmenistan to pursue independent foreign policy in accordance with its capabilities, world trends and threats. H.E. Berdiniyazov said that Turkmenistan had proved with its actions and participation in the affairs of the international community that its policy of "Permanent Neutrality" was to ensure peace, progress and prosperity in the region and in the world. He also mentioned many gas pipelines were providing gas to neighbours of Turkmenistan which indicated that it had adopted the policy of "Permanent Neutrality" for the benefit of its neighbours and the region.

Afterwards, the Rector of Turkmenistan's International University of Humanities and Development, Ambassador Esen Aydogdyev spoke on the history of the nation dating back during the Soviet Union and earlier. He also shared the plan of Turkmenistan for promoting regional languages and culture for promotion of trade and development with the neighbouring countries. He said that they would like to have Urdu and English Teachers from Pakistan in their institutions and that for this purpose, they would be visiting various universities in Islamabad.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan H.E. Mr. Atadjan Movlamov speaking on the occasion said the policy of "Permanent Neutrality" of Turkmenistan is being used for the progress, prosperity, peace and tranquility in the region without interfering in the affairs of any other country. He said Pakistan and Turkmenistan are linked in very close and strong bonds of brotherhood and it is being strengthened day by day. Ambassador Movlamov said that efforts are being made to promote people to people contacts, besides improving trade and economic ties between the two countries.

After the inaugural session, two technical sessions also took place wherein, papers were presented by academicians from the University of Peshawar, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and others on various aspects of Tekmenistan's foreign policy, culture and trade etc.

Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro also participated in the event and congratulated Ambassador at Large H.E. Sapar Berdiniyazov and Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov for a long sustainable journey of Turkmenistan towards peace and neutrality.

It is pertinent to mention that it was the same historic day of 15 March 1995 during the 3rd ECO Summit in 1995 at Islamabad that the Charter of ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) was signed by all the 10 Member States. Turkmenistan is also a ratifying member of ECOSF Charter. Dr. Soomro reminded this fact to the Turkmen Ambassador in Islamabad and other diplomats with the request to support. The Turkmen Diplomats assured Dr. Soomro of their support and cooperation.