This year, Turkmenistan is celebrating thirty years of permanent neutrality. Since its independence, the concept of neutrality has promoted Turkmenistan’s interests at the national, regional, and global levels. Moreover, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the resolution “2025 – International Year of Peace and Trust” was adopted at Turkmenistan’s initiative [1].

This year, dedicated to peace, will feature several events such as a Forum for Interparliamentary Dialogue, Regional Meetings on Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Security, regular meetings of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development, a Conference on Neutrality at the United Nations Headquarters, a “Music of Peace” Festival,” open classes in schools on peace and trust… Therefore, it is relevant to examine the role of Turkmenistan’s neutrality in building regional peace and stability in international relations.

1. The Concept of Turkmen Permanent Neutrality

1.1. Turkmenistan’s Commitment to Permanent Neutrality

Turkmenistan’s Constitutional Law on Permanent Neutrality came into force in 1995. This unique status aims to keep the country out of conflicts while promoting peace and international cooperation.

After stabilizing the country’s internal situation, Turkmen leaders pursued a proactive foreign policy [3]. Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality policy is characterized by the following principles: maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, avoiding the use of force in interstate conflicts, recognizing the role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace, promoting cooperation in various sectors, and refraining from joining any military or political alliances.

2. Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan in the Service of Diplomacy

2.1. Turkmenistan’s Diplomatic Policy

Through its diplomatic policy, Turkmenistan seeks to emphasize that neutrality does not mean isolation but rather a positive, active, and supportive contribution to regional and international affairs. According to Matyakobov (2019) [4] and Boryyev (2024) [3], with the accession of the second president, G. Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan shaped its foreign policy in line with the innovations introduced by its neutrality, allowing the country to open up to the world. It has become a point of interest for foreign investors.

Turkmenistan has signed bilateral agreements and cooperated with many countries in various sectors, such as energy. In particular, bilateral and multilateral agreements in the transport sector aim to improve connectivity between regional countries and establish a transport network. In this context, the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railway are significant initiatives for the North-South transport corridor project [5].

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov came to power in 2022 with the support of the majority of the population. Since taking office, he has continued Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy, shaping a new order that preserves the country’s stability in international relations. The President of Turkmenistan has adopted and approved the “Foreign Policy Concept of Neutral Turkmenistan for 2022-2028” [6].

This has allowed Turkmenistan to be accepted by the international community. It has established bilateral relations with the United States, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Europe, China, India, Pakistan, and many others. The maintenance of the neutrality policy has been reinforced by Turkmenistan’s internal stability, economic and infrastructure development, adherence to international law and treaties, commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, decision not to produce or stockpile biological and chemical weapons, and the prohibition of any foreign military presence on its territory.

Finally, the status of permanent neutrality has enabled Turkmenistan to cooperate in resolving issues related to the Caspian Sea. The first Caspian Economic Forum was held on August 14, 2019, at the initiative and under the patronage of Berdimuhamedov. The forum, organized to strengthen economic cooperation among Caspian littoral states, focused on trade, industry, and transport, particularly in the energy sector [7].

Furthermore, Turkmenistan has sought to enhance diplomacy through various topics, including women’s rights. In this context, the Dialogue of Central Asian Women, established in December 2020 at the initiative of the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, is the first structure in Central Asian history created by representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan with the support of the United Nations, according to interviews given by diplomat M. Rahymova (February 6, 2025) [8].

2.2. Permanent Neutrality in the Service of Global Peace

Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality serves global peace. The United Nations has emphasized that the country played a mediating role during the Tajik Civil War. Similarly, Turkmenistan actively assisted the UN in its efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, hosting several meetings between Afghan parties [9].

On May 16, 2023, in Ashgabat, the Turkmenistan Assembly, in cooperation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, organized an international conference titled “Role of Neutral States in Strengthening Security, Stability, and Dialogue in the OSCE Area.” [10]

Finally, researchers emphasize that climate change could create conflicts [11]. To promote peace, the Turkmen government proposes intensifying a global cooperation strategy to support the Sustainable Development Goals. According to the official website of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the International Year of Peace and Trust, Turkmenistan will focus on “green diplomacy” [12].

Conclusion

The policy of neutrality enables Turkmenistan to achieve its political objectives on three levels: national, regional and international. Turkmenistan has begun to develop at national level, overcoming domestic challenges only thanks to its policy of neutrality, which is helping it to focus on domestic restructuring and to put its house in order. Political, economic and cultural reforms have been introduced to ensure domestic stability.

The literature shows that Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality has had an impact on its foreign policy and has enabled it to cooperate with the United Nations according to the following principles: Working for the environment; working on energy security and a sustainable energy system; collaborating with the United Nations to set up a transport system and corridors; developing its relations with regional and international organizations…

Ultimately, Turkmenistan’s 30 years of neutrality serve as a unique model for small and medium-sized states seeking to navigate international politics without compromising their sovereignty and stability. By continuing to embrace peaceful diplomacy, strategic cooperation, and multilateral engagement, Turkmenistan will reinforce its role as a neutral, stable, and reliable partner in the international community.

Derya Soysal

Sources:

[1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. (s. d.). At the meeting of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, on the initiative of Turkmenistan, the resolution “2025 – International Year of Peace and Trust” was adopted. Récupéré de https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/4437 .

[2] Bonjour, E. (1948). Swiss Neutrality: Its History And Meaning (Great Britain). Allen & Unwin.

[3] Boryyev, A. (2024). Uluslararası Siyaset Açısından Daimî Tarafsızlık İlkesinin Bölgesel Barış Ve İstikrarın Sağlanmasındaki Rolü: Türkmenistan Örneği (Master’s thesis, Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi-Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü).

[4] Matyakubov, H. (2019). Bağımsızlık Sonrası Dönemde Türkmenistan’da Milliyetçilik Politikaları (Samsun). 6.

[5] Birdişli, F. (2011). Türkmenistan’ın Uluslararası İlişkileri, Savunma ve Güvenlik Politikası. Age, 325.

[6].(Türkmenistanyň Prezidenti Serdar Berdimuhamedowyň Ministrler Kabinetiniň giňişleýin mejlisindäki çykyşy, 2022)

[7]. Hamzaoğlu, H. (2020). GÜNCEL ULUSLARARASI GELİŞMELER IŞIĞINDA TÜRKMENİSTAN DIŞ POLİTİKASI.

[8]. Rahymova, M. (2025, 6 février). Turkmen diplomat highlights Turkmenistan’s commitment to global peace in Kanal Avrupa TV channel interview. EU Reporter. https://www.eureporter.co/world/turkmenistan/2025/02/06/turkmen-diplomat-highlights-turkmenistans-commitment-to-global-peace-in-kanal-avrupa-tv-channel-interview/

[9]. Anceschi, L. (2008). Turkmenistan’s foreign policy: Positive neutrality and the consolidation of the Turkmen regime. Routledge.

[10] OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. (2023, February 23). Turkmenistan conference considers the role of neutral states in strengthening security. OSCE PA. https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2023/turkmenistan-conference-considers-the-role-of-neutral-states-in-strengthening-security

[11]Koubi, V. (2019). Climate change and conflict. Annual review of political science, 22(1), 343-360.

[12] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. (s. d.). Concept of the activities and priorities of Turkmenistan within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. Récupéré de https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/5025.

Extra – BIBLIOGRAPHY

Birdişli, F. (2011). Türkmenistan’ın Uluslararası İlişkileri, Savunma ve Güvenlik Politikası. Age, 325.

Bonjour, E. (1948). Swiss Neutrality: Its History And Meaning (Great Britain). Allen & Unwin.

Boryyev, A. (2024). Uluslararası Siyaset Açısından Daimî Tarafsızlık İlkesinin Bölgesel Barış Ve İstikrarın Sağlanmasındaki Rolü: Türkmenistan Örneği (Master’s thesis, Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi-Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü).

Erol, M. S., & Başaran, D. (2021). Afgan Sorunu Bağlamında Şanghay İşbirliği Örgütü’nün Ortadoğu Açılımı. Bölgesel Araştırmalar Dergisi, 5(2), 402-432.

Gärtner, H. (2018). Austria: engaged neutrality. The European Neutrals and NATO: Non-alignment, Partnership, Membership?, 129-149.

Hamzaoğlu, H. (2020). GÜNCEL ULUSLARARASI GELİŞMELER IŞIĞINDA TÜRKMENİSTAN DIŞ POLİTİKASI.

Matyakubov, H. (2019). Bağımsızlık Sonrası Dönemde Türkmenistan’da Milliyetçilik Politikaları (Samsun). 6.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. (s. d.). Concept of the activities and priorities of Turkmenistan within the framework of the International Year of Peace and Trust. Récupéré de https://www.mfa.gov.tm/en/news/5025.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. (2023, February 23). Turkmenistan conference considers the role of neutral states in strengthening security. OSCE PA. https://www.oscepa.org/en/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2023/turkmenistan-conference-considers-the-role-of-neutral-states-in-strengthening-security

Rahymova, M. (2025, 6 février). Turkmen diplomat highlights Turkmenistan’s commitment to global peace in Kanal Avrupa TV channel interview. EU Reporter. https://www.eureporter.co/world/turkmenistan/2025/02/06/turkmen-diplomat-highlights-turkmenistans-commitment-to-global-peace-in-kanal-avrupa-tv-channel-interview/

Schmid and Langbein, (2004). “Turkmenistan: Nation Building and Economic Development Since Independence”.

Shıkhmuradov, B. O. (1997). Positive Neutrality as the basis of the foreign

policy of Turkmenistan. PERCEPTIONS: Journal of International Affairs, 2(2).

(Türkmenistanyň Prezidenti Serdar Berdimuhamedowyň Ministrler Kabinetiniň giňişleýin mejlisindäki çykyşy, 2022).

United Nations General Assembly. (1995). Permanent Neutral State status was granted to Turkmenistan by the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 1995, by resolution A/RES/50/80. https://www.un.org/

Ünlü, İ. H. (2016). TÜRKMENİSTAN’IN TARAFSIZLIK POLİTİKASININ BÖLGESEL GERÇEKLİĞİ. Çeşm-i Cihan: Tarih Kültür ve Sanat Araştırmaları Dergisi E-Dergisi, 3(1), 95-102.