Turkmenistan Celebrates its 30th Anniversary of Neutrality: A Model of Independent and Peaceful Diplomacy
Understanding the Underlying Factors of State Neutrality
On December 12, 1995, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality. This status was officially recognized and marked a significant milestone in the country’s modern history. Next year, Turkmenistan will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its neutrality. This day holds tremendous importance nationally, both for the Turkmen people and for international diplomacy.
It is enshrined in the country’s constitution, for example in Article 2, where it states: “The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan shall be the basis of its national and foreign policy.” And in Article 68, where it says: “The president of Turkmenistan shall be the head of the state and executive power, the highest official of Turkmenistan, acting as guarantor of…state independence and the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan…” (UN).
Understanding State Neutrality
This unique status aims to keep the country out of conflicts while promoting peace and international cooperation. The policy of neutrality is the set of political decisions and measures a neutral state freely takes in peace times with the aim of securing the credibility and efficiency of its legally binding neutrality. The policy of neutrality differs in neutral states and depends on their situation.
Currently, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Ghana, and many other states are designated as neutral. However, all of them attained the status of neutrality to preserve themselves from the devastating effects of wars. Moreover, many states adopted neutrality policies during the Cold War era to avoid the political climate of the bipolar world. Turkmenistan chose neutrality after the Cold War ended, and it is the only state to adopt neutrality in peacetime, according to Kuru (2002).
Historical Context of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality
The origin of Turkmenistan’s neutrality dates back to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, when Turkmenistan gained its independence and quickly adopted a neutrality policy to avoid regional conflicts and external influences.
This neutrality policy reflects a deep value of the Turkmen people: preserving and promoting their cultural identity while maintaining peaceful relations with other countries.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan began its political transition process. This process swiftly integrated the political culture of neutrality into the de-Russification process and as a strategy for building a post-Soviet state. From the moment of independence, the concept of neutrality. Initially, the concept of neutrality is more related to wars, where sovereign states adopt neutrality to avoid involvement in armed conflict between states. Neutrality was a response to the geopolitical instability in Central Asia. Indeed, the status of neutrality allowed Turkmenistan to remain outside military alliances and conflicts while conducting active diplomacy.
According to Article 1 of the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan on Permanent Neutrality:
“Within the scope of realizing the integral rights of the sovereign state, Turkmenistan declares voluntarily about its permanent neutrality and will support it and put into practice consistently. The permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan is the basis of its foreign and domestic policy aimed at strengthening the stability and consent in society, developing friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the states of the region and the whole world.” (Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan on Permanent Neutrality, 1995)
In July 1992, the former president of Turkmenistan, during the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, illustrated the strategy of positive neutrality. Former President Saparmurat Niyazov defined the key characteristics of neutrality as follows:
1. No interference in the internal affairs of other states.
2. The use of force should be avoided in interstate conflicts.
3. The role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace should be recognized.
4. Promoting cooperation in various sectors.
5. Alliances should be avoided, whether military or political.
6. Develop relations to maintain good relations, etc. (Ahmed, R-Q and al., 2018).
There are also obligations under its neutrality status such as
1. Turkmenistan will not join any political, economic, or military alliance.
2. Military power will be limited to safeguarding freedom and stability.
3. Good relations with all states, regardless of their size, will be maintained.
4. The neutrality policy emphasizes friendship, mutual respect, equality, justice, mutual benefit, and the loyal fulfillment of all responsibilities and wishes.
Turkmen Neutrality in Service of Diplomatic Relations
“The status of neutrality is a key factor for the development of Turkmenistan’s mutually advantageous and constructive international partnership that meets national interests as well as the goals to ensure peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region and throughout the world,” noted former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Therefore, Turkmenistan has established balanced diplomatic relations with major powers such as Russia, China, and the United States, while preserving its independence. Neutrality has allowed Turkmenistan to maintain good international relations with major powers. This neutrality has provided economic and diplomatic opportunities for Turkmenistan. It has enabled the country to develop economic relations with different partners while avoiding alignment with any military or economic bloc.
The country has established bilateral relations with the United States, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, China, India, Pakistan, and many others.
Turkmen Neutrality: An Asset on the International Stage
In 2002, Mr. Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, served from 1997 to 2006, congratulated Turkmenistan for its support of the treaty establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia[1].
Moreover, neutrality plays a crucial role in international organizations. Turkmenistan is a member of many international organizations, such as the UN, and advocates for peace and stability in the region. This is why UN Secretary-General António Guterres told journalists that “Turkmenistan is playing a very important role in international relations,” particularly in cooperation with the UN. He was encouraged by the improved relations between Central Asian countries in the face of these challenges, and regional cooperation has deepened, once again highlighting the important role played by Turkmenistan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Turkmenistan’s neutrality remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy, allowing it to navigate a complex international environment with a certain degree of independence. Over the past 29 years, this position has reinforced its role as a mediator and promoter of peace in the region. Next year, on December 12, 2025, Turkmenistan, the land of Ahal Teke horses, will celebrate its 30th anniversary of neutrality. Turkmenistan’s neutrality is a remarkable example of peace. Undoubtedly, Turkmenistan refuses to harbor or produce weapons of mass destruction, to be part of military pacts, to provoke conflicts, or to take sides in conflicts. This message of neutrality and peace is gaining increasing relevance in our decade, which faces the growing escalation of global conflicts.
Bibliography
Ahmed, R-Q and al., (2018). TURKMENISTAN’S POLITICAL CULTURE OF POSITIVE NEUTRALITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS. DOI: 10.1080/02634930220127955>
Kuru, A. T. (2002). Between the state and cultural zones: nation building in Turkmenistan. Central Asian Survey, 21(1), 71-90.
[1] Annan hails Turkmenistan’s contribution to peace in Afghanistan. (2002, October 22). Retrieved from https://news.un.org/en/story/2002/10/49122
