Turkmenistan seeks new approaches to problems

RIYADH: Turkmenistan Ambassador Shakuliyev Nazarkuly, told Arab News that his country stands for peace, equality, respect for the sovereignty of states and the right to its own way of development based on the foreign policy of Turkmenistan.
Nazarkuly made his observation prior to the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.
The envoy said, “In more than 20 years of active cooperation with the United Nations Turkmenistan has found its place in the international system of coordinates, and has extensive experience in working with the international community.”
He added, “On Dec. 12, 1995 the UN adopted a resolution on the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. This has become the foundation of our foreign policy and was largely determined by the criteria of domestic policy.”
At the upcoming assembly session, Turkmenistan, guided by the basic principles of its foreign policy pursued under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, will steadily adhere to its strategy of maintaining a close and comprehensive cooperation with the United Nations.
Turkmenistan wants to focus its attention on the development of new approaches to international problems and will continue implementing step-by-step measures aimed at implementing Turkmenistan’s international initiatives that have been put forward within the framework of the United Nations.
Recognizing the authority and leading role of the UN as the main guarantor for safeguarding and maintaining global peace, security and development, Turkmenistan considers that intensification of efforts to ensure non-proliferation and disarmament is one of the main challenges that the international community faces today.
He said the strategic priority of Turkmenistan’s international activities is to ensure sustainable development in peace and security with due consideration to the new challenges posed by modern realities and long-term prospects of the development of global processes.
The envoy observed, “We fully support further promotion of the sustainable development concept at all levels as well as the integration of its economic, social and environmental components.
Therefore, in our view, goals of sustainable development should be focused on human personality. This should be reflected in long-term international and national programs that are under development in cooperation with and assisted by the United Nations.”
Turkmenistan, being one of the leading producers and suppliers of energy resources, possesses a large transit potential. It firmly adheres to the principles of diversification of international cooperation in the energy sector. At the same time, it believes that a long-term and progressive development requires a state-of-the-art international system of energy supplies.
The country’s government has consistently called for the development of broad cooperation in the environmental field and has expressed its readiness to work closely with the UN’s specialized agencies: the United Nations Development Program, United Nations Environment Program, and other agencies and institutions.
Turkmenistan considers its international cooperation in the humanitarian sphere to be an important element of joint efforts on strengthening stability at national, regional and global levels.
As a UN member state and as a state with a permanent neutrality status, Turkmenistan will actively participate in the work of the highest forum of the United Nations.