A Turkmen event was organized at KULEUVEN University in Leuven, Belgium, named World Peace

ORTA ASYA

A Turkmen event was organized at KULEUVEN University in Leuven, Belgium, named World Peace.

Derya SOYSAL

 

 

A Turkmen event was organized at KU Leuven University in Leuven, Belgium, named World Peace. KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is the largest university in Belgium and is regularly cited as one of the top fifty universities worldwide. The event was organized by the KUL student group, Kultur, its president Oğuzhan Bahadır Arı, in collaboration with Derya SOYSAL from Eureporter and the Embassy of Turkmenistan, with the support of the company Eurovia. The audience was very diverse, including professors from ULB, UCL, and KUL, students from ULB and KUL, Belgian parliamentarians, people from the European Commission, diplomats, journalists, Kazakh delegates, etc. This event allowed the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Sapar Palvanov, to give a lecture on the definition of peace and permanent neutrality in Turkmenistan. Sapar Palvanov is the Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, Head of the Mission to the EU and NATO, who took on this mission in August 2022

He began his speech by describing what peace means according to Turkmenistan:

 

Palvanov: “When we hear the word "peace," we often think first about the absence of war — about a world without fighting or violence. For others, peace might mean safety: the simple, everyday freedom to walk outside without fear. For some, it’s about justice — fairness, dignity, and respect for every individual. But for me — and for my country, Turkmenistan — peace is something even deeper. Peace is not just the end of conflict. It is a way of thinking that shapes how we view the world. It is a way of living that teaches us to choose dialogue over division, compassion over confrontation. And above all, peace is a commitment — a conscious decision to believe in something larger than ourselves: the idea that humanity is stronger when it stands together, not apart. Peace is not something we wait for; it is something we build, choice by choice, every day.”

 

Then the ambassador explained the path Turkmenistan has followed since its independence in 1991 and the importance of permanent neutrality in the country's development:

Palvanov:“My country became independent in 1991, after the breakup of the Soviet Union. This September, we will celebrate 34 years of independence. Since then, we have walked our own path—one guided by permanent neutrality.

Our country is as large as Spain and is located in a strategic but complex region—bordering Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This location is very important because it influences our foreign policy and how we ensure peace and security in the region.

But Turkmenistan is much more than its location. It has a deep historical and cultural heritage. Long ago, Turkmenistan was part of the Silk Road, an important trade route that connected Europe and Asia. Our people were not only traders but also scholars, poets, and leaders who helped build great civilizations. However, history also brought difficult times, and for a period, our country faced challenges that slowed its development.

But despite all the geopolitical pressures around us, we made a bold choice: to stay neutral, to avoid alliances and military blocs, and to open our doors to dialogue with all, conflict with none.

At the beginning of independence, Turkmenistan faced many difficulties, especially economic problems after the end of the Soviet Union. However, through good planning, economic diversification, and international cooperation, we have grown stronger, more stable, and more independent in all areas. We work with other countries but never allow economic cooperation to be used as a political tool against us”.

This year, Turkmenistan celebrates thirty years of permanent neutrality. Moreover, the country has declared this year, 2025, as the Year of Peace and Trust. This is why Ambassador Palvanov spoke about what permanent neutrality means.

Palvanov:“One of the most important principles of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is its permanent neutrality. In 1995, Turkmenistan made a historic decision. We declared our status as a permanently neutral state, and that same year, on December 12, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously recognized and endorsed this status. It was more than a diplomatic declaration—it became a defining pillar of our national identity. That same year, we adopted the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan on Permanent Neutrality, a unique legal act that establishes neutrality as the foundation of our internal and external policies”.

As you can see, permanent neutrality forms the entirety of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. Moreover, the Ambassador cited the first article of the Constitution:

“The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is the basis of its domestic and foreign policy, aimed at strengthening stability and harmony in society, and developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the countries of the region and the entire world.”.

Then he explained that Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality does not mean a lack of action. He demonstrated how active the country is in developing diplomacy.

Palvanov:“This law is not symbolic—it is action-oriented. Words such as “cooperation,” “contacts,” “relations,” and “dialogue” appear no less than ten times across twelve articles. They reflect the spirit of openness, balance, and inclusive partnership that defines our approach to global engagement. (...) Now I want to clarify one thing. When I say Turkmenistan is neutral, I don’t mean passive. Neutrality is not sitting on the fence. It’s not being silent or indifferent.
 For us, neutrality means:

• We do not join military alliances and do not allow foreign military bases on our territory.
• We do not participate in conflicts but instead work to promote peace and dialogue.
• We maintain balanced diplomatic relations with all nations, focusing on mutual respect and cooperation.
• We support humanitarian aid and regional development projects that contribute to long-term stability.

We call it “active neutrality”—and we live by it.

For nearly three decades, Turkmenistan has shown the world that neutrality is not isolation—it is engagement without confrontation, cooperation without obligation, and dialogue without division”.

It should be noted that Turkmenistan played a crucial role in resolving the civil war in Tajikistan, not to mention the humanitarian aid it provided to Afghans. Moreover, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted Turkmenistan's important role in international relations, praising its contributions, particularly in terms of cooperation with the UN and regional integration. He welcomed the deepening cooperation among Central Asian countries and emphasized Turkmenistan's central role in this process. He also noted that Turkmenistan had made significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that the UN would continue to support the country's development process. On this subject, the Turkmen Ambassador cited concrete actions taken by Turkmenistan to promote peace in Central Asia.

Palvanov: “One of the earliest examples of Turkmenistan’s role as a neutral mediator was during the Tajik Civil War in the 1990s. At that time, Turkmenistan facilitated dialogue between the Tajik government and opposition forces, hosting 3 rounds of peace negotiations in Ashgabat and supporting UN-led peace efforts. These diplomatic efforts helped reduce tensions and prevent further escalation. These talks laid the foundation for the eventual peace agreement. While many countries saw Afghanistan only through the lens of conflict, we saw a neighbor who needed connection. So we extended electricity lines, railway projects, and even a gas pipeline plan (called TAPI). It was not charity—it was long-term peacebuilding through shared interests. In today’s world, it’s hard not to take sides. But we chose a different route: maintained balanced diplomatic, humanitarian, and economic ties with both countries. We send humanitarian aid to Ukraine, especially for children. At the same time, we maintain dialogue with Russia, and Ukrainian companies successfully continue to work in Turkmenistan realizing huge infrastructure projects on the ground. That’s not easy—but it’s consistent with our principle: no war, only dialogue.”

In order to promote global peace, Turkmenistan proposed to the United Nations to declare this year as the International Year of Peace and Trust. On December 12, 2025, there will be a Grand International Conference on Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. The Ambassador also spoke about the recognition of Turkmenistan's peace efforts by the United Nations. He said on this subject:

 

Palvanov:“The international community has once again recognized the value of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy through two important resolutions: On March 21, 2025, the UN General Assembly adopted, by consensus, the new resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan.” It emphasizes that our neutral status is not only embedded in our Constitution but demonstrates effectiveness as a tool for preventive diplomacy. And — importantly — recommends that the territory of neutral states be used as venues for peaceful negotiations —an endorsement of what Turkmenistan has already practiced for decades. On October 24, 2024, the UN adopted another resolution initiated by Turkmenistan: “Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia.” Co-sponsored by 37 countries, this resolution: recognizes Central Asia as a space of peaceful cooperation, highlights milestones such as the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, and emphasizes the importance of regular dialogue among regional leaders. This resolution does not only reflect Turkmenistan’s role. It reflects our region’s emerging identity as a source of stability and constructive multilateralism. And just recently, we witnessed a historic breakthrough that further confirms the direction our region is taking. In the International Year of Peace and Trust — Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan reached a long-awaited agreement on the full delimitation of their shared border. This agreement resolves one of the most sensitive and long-standing disputes in Central Asia peacefully, through negotiation and political will. We extend heartfelt congratulations to our Tajik and Kyrgyz brothers and to all of Central Asia on this achievement. This is an encouraging example, and we hope to see more peace agreements and diplomatic breakthroughs during this symbolic year. It sends a clear message to the world:Our region is transforming into a space free of conflicts and controversy — a region of peace, trust, and pragmatic cooperation”.

Moreover, he discussed the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), established in Ashgabat, which is one of Turkmenistan's greatest achievements in promoting regional and global peace:

Palvanov:“Our most prominent institutional contribution to regional peace is the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), established in Ashgabat in 2007. This is not just a regional office—it is a global model. UNRCCA is the world’s only UN centre specifically dedicated to conflict prevention, not crisis response. From water and energy to border issues and transboundary security challenges, the Centre brings countries together before conflicts erupt. This reflects our conviction that early dialogue is more effective than post-conflict reconciliation—a view we promote regionally and globally.

We believe that preventive diplomacy should be a global priority. Given the success of the UNRCCA, there is now growing interest in creating similar centers in other parts of the world to help regions affected by political and security tensions”.

At the end of the Ambassador's speech, the Moderator Derya Soysal asked him some questions such as:

Derya Soysal: Why did Turkmenistan choose the path of neutrality? Was it necessity?

Sapar Palvanov: “Turkmenistan chose neutrality not because it was forced to, but because it believed in it. When we gained independence in 1991, we faced a world full of uncertainty — shifting alliances, new tensions, and old rivalries resurfacing. We stood at a crossroads: either become part of someone else's sphere of influence or chart our own course based on the values we hold dearest.

We chose neutrality as a conscious, sovereign decision.

Not because we wanted to isolate ourselves, but because we wanted to stay open to all.

Not because we feared commitment, but because we believed that true strength lies in being a bridge, not a wall.

Neutrality allowed us to offer something rare in a divided world:
 a platform for dialogue, a safe harbor for trust, a voice that speaks to all sides without bias.

For Turkmenistan, neutrality was never just a political necessity — it was, and remains, a moral choice.

A choice to believe that peace is possible, that cooperation is stronger than confrontation, and that trust must be built every single day”.

At the end of the Conference, the Ambassador answered the students' questions and concluded his speech with this final remark:

Palvanov:“Let me finalize my briefing and try to give answer the question “What does peace mean to us?”—I hope you’ll have a better answer. Maybe it’s not just about ending war. Maybe it’s about never letting it begin. Maybe it’s about being the space where others can find common ground. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about building a world where neutrality is not weakness—but wisdom”.

At the end of the Conference, Ambassador Sapar Palvanov asked the audience two questions about the speech on permanent neutrality given during the Lecture and offered a small Turkmen carpet and a Turkmen bag to the KUL students who found the answer. Then, the Ambassador showed a video featuring Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, and mainly Arkadag, Smart City. A second video was shown to the audience about Akhal Teke horses. Indeed, April 27th is celebrated as International Horse Day in Turkmenistan. The event concluded with an exhibition of Turkmen carpets, Central Asian music, and a Turkmen feast with plov and desserts.