Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality Celebrated at the European Parliament
Derya SOYSAL
Photo by Derya Soysal Derya SOYSAL
On March 26, 2025, the European Parliament hosted an event titled Peace Love World, dedicated to marking the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. The commemoration was followed by a roundtable discussion, Neutral States as Peace Negotiators, focusing on the role of neutral countries in global diplomacy.
Since December 12, 1995, Turkmenistan has upheld its status as a permanently neutral state, a position officially recognized by the United Nations. Article 1 of the Turkmen Constitution enshrines this principle, stating:
“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.”
The discussions at the European Parliament touched on key topics such as global peace efforts, cooperation with Europe, the role of diplomacy in conflict resolution, the upcoming Europe-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand, the Trans-Caspian Corridor, and the broader need to enhance connectivity between Europe and Asia.
A high-level delegation from Turkmenistan participated in the event, including:
• Serdarov Ata – Chairman of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, Member of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
• Kulyyev Maksat – Chairman of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
• Atayeva Enejan – Member of the Committee on International and Interparliamentary Relations of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan.
Notable speakers included:
• Miroslav Slastan, Legal Advisor to the President of Slovakia, who highlighted the principles of neutrality, territorial integrity, diplomatic cooperation, and non-interference. He described a neutral state as one that does not align with military alliances and serves as a mediator in conflicts.
• Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, who emphasized that neutrality is not passive but an active diplomatic tool that fosters peace and trust.
The moderator was Katarina Roth Nevedalova (European Parliament).
Palvanov elaborated:
“This principle is not a passive stance. It is not absence. Nor is it withdrawal. Neutrality, as Turkmenistan has embraced it, is a powerful, active, and forward-looking philosophy—a bridge between states, a platform for peace, and a tool for building trust in an increasingly divided world.”
Ambassador Palvanov also provided concrete examples of Turkmenistan’s role in fostering peace, including its mediation in Tajikistan’s civil conflict and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. Addressing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he stated:
“We have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including for children affected by the conflict, and Ukrainian companies continue to work in Turkmenistan, illustrating how neutrality does not mean silence—it means constructive engagement.”
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of preventive diplomacy, highlighting Turkmenistan’s role in establishing the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) in Ashgabat in 2007:
“UNRCCA is the world’s only UN centre specifically dedicated to conflict prevention, not crisis response. It reflects our conviction that early dialogue is more effective than post-conflict reconciliation—a view we promote regionally and globally.”
A Commitment to Peace and Trust
Kulyyev Maksat reinforced the idea that Turkmenistan’s neutrality is a proactive diplomatic stance, stating:
“For Turkmenistan, Neutrality is not just a legal status. It is a peaceful, proactive approach to international relations.”
Atayeva Enejan emphasized that Turkmenistan remains the only country to have codified permanent neutrality in its constitution. She described it as a dynamic and constructive principle, aimed at fostering international dialogue, trust, and cooperation.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where experts including Colin Stevens (CEO of EU Reporter), Derya Soysal, and Alberto Turkstra (Diplomatic World) … engaged with the speakers.
In conclusion, the discussions at the European Parliament underscored that neutrality is not a position of inaction but a strategic approach to peacebuilding. Turkmenistan’s model demonstrates how a country can maintain sovereignty while actively contributing to regional and global stability. As the world faces increasing geopolitical tensions, the Turkmen approach to neutrality offers a compelling alternative to polarization, fostering dialogue and cooperation in an era where these values are more necessary than ever.
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