The deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, who led the Turkmen delegation to New York for the UN General Assembly session, held a number of high profile meetings on the sidelines.
On the meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
On September 28, 2024, a meeting was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Secretary-General highly praised Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality, emphasizing that the country’s foreign policy pursued by its leadership is a successful example in ensuring peace and stability.
The UN chief expressed gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its efforts to eradicate statelessness and consistent steps in this direction.
At the same time, the parties exchanged views on the development of cooperation between the United Nations and Turkmenistan, as well as on issues of regional peace and security, including Afghanistan. In this regard, the regular assistance and support provided to the Afghan people was highly appreciated.
The parties were unanimous in their opinion on the successful organization of the visit of the UN Secretary-General to Turkmenistan in July of this year and the results of the meetings with His Excellency the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and His Excellency the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The head of the UN expressed gratitude for the high organizational level of the past visit and the hospitality shown.
The Turkmen side assured of the country’s commitment to the implementation of its foreign policy based on the status of permanent neutrality.
At the same time, it was announced that there was an intention to closely cooperate with the UN in implementing the initiative to prepare a Global Security Strategy, put forward by the President of Turkmenistan at the previous session of the General Assembly.
Speaking about the expansion of strategic cooperation with the UN, R. Meredov reported on the preparation of an implementation plan, agreements reached following the visit. In this context, the importance of the upcoming 2025, proclaimed by the UN at the initiative of Turkmenistan as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” for the entire international community, was emphasized. In this regard, the intention was announced to prepare a Program of events to mark 2025 – Peace and Trust, and the importance of the UN in its successful implementation was emphasized.
On the issue of assistance to Afghanistan, the Minister noted that the launch of a number of major transport and energy projects on September 11 on the Turkmen-Afghan border is another clear example of a consistent policy to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan. It was also emphasized that these projects will be strictly implemented within the framework of international legal norms.
The Turkmen side expressed gratitude for the high assessment of the work in the field of eradicating statelessness, emphasizing that work in the humanitarian direction is one of the priority areas of Turkmenistan’s policy and its cooperation with the UN.