The past week, the country marked widely International Day of Neutrality and the 29th anniversary of obtaining of the status of permanent neutrality by our fatherland.

The legal status of neutrality of Turkmenistan, twice recognised by the United Nations, serves a basis of the foreign policy strategy of the state. In the message of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, it is noted that the policy of neutrality fully meets national interests and goals of the United Nations Organization as well as acts as an important mechanism of preservation of stability and security, realisation of peaceful initiatives, solution of topical issues at international level by means of dialogue.

On the sidelines of celebrations in Ashgabat with participation of the head of the state, the flower laying ceremony at the Monument of Neutrality and the concert of workers of art and culture took place in the capital «Mejlisler merkezi».

The anniversary medal and a complete set of memorable signs of Turkmenistan «Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna» were presented solemnly to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov as well as members of the Government, heads of military and law enforcement bodies of the country upon completion of the extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, which was held on December 9.

Taking into account proposals of representatives of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, large public associations, labour collectives and citizens of the country, on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi, as well as taking into attention the decision of the Committee for the Magtymguly International Prizes, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Hero-Arkadag Berdimuhamedov Gurbanguly Malikguliyevich was awarded the Magtymguly International Prize.

According to the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan was also presented with the anniversary medal and a complete set of memorable signs of Turkmenistan «Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna».

According to the documents signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, awarding ceremonies by the anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna» and gift signs for the citizens who have especially distinguished themselves employed in various branches of the country and have brought a big contribution to study and wide popularisation of the creative heritage of poet-classic Magtymguly Fragi in the world and education of the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism, respect for national values, traditions and customs of our people took place.

There were also foreign citizens who have brought an essential contribution to preservation and popularisation of the cultural heritage of Turkmen people, promotion of friendship and cooperation between people, development and enrichment of cultural links of Turkmenistan with world states and international organisations among awarded people.

At the same time, Chairman of Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Binali Yıldırım, who arrived in our country for participation in festive celebrations was awarded the honorary title of Turkmenistan «Hormatly il ýaşulusy» Turkmenistan and German doctor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Professor Dr. Klaus Georg Parhofer was awarded the medal of Turkmenistan «Arkadag».

Deputy Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy Issues Kamilov Abdulaziz Hafizovich was awarded the title of Turkmenistan «Hormatly il ýaşulusy» as well as the anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Magtymguly Pyragynyň 300 ýyllygyna» and gift signs.

On the eve of International Day of Neutrality, the capital hosted the international conference «Joint Efforts in Strengthening International Peace and Sustainable Development».

Speakers highly appreciated the creative foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan, its active peace-making position on the international scene.

During sessions exchange of opinions in key areas of cooperation aimed at maintenance of steady growth and development, promotion of trustful relations between countries and people, formation of culture of dialogue and peace, solution of priority economic, humanitarian and ecological issues, introduction of advanced experience, innovative practice and strategy for achievement of general well-being and progress took place.

Outcome Document was adopted at the conference.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan also hosted the high-level meeting of the Group of friends of neutrality for peace, security and sustainable development.

According to the agenda, possibilities of development of the Strategy of global security on the basis of principles of the Charter of the United Nations and conventional norms of international law taking into account actual tendencies of global development at the initiation of our country were considered.

Participants of the meeting also supported continuation of interaction in the context of fulfilment of the Agenda in the field of sustainable development for 2030 by means of integration of principles of neutrality into national and international strategies.

The opening of numerous architectural projects were timed to the holiday.

So, Turkmenbashi city hosted a solemn opening ceremony of five comfortable apartment houses.

Moreover, Dashoguz city marked housewarming parties of about 1 500 families. there a new residential area where on the area of 71 hectares of land 70 four-storeyed houses with improved lay-out, a comprehensive school for 600 schoolchildren, a kindergarten for 240 children, a modern centre of health and shopping centre were constructed, was put into operation.

Besides it, in the administrative centre of the northern region of the country the opening of education and service centre for repair and service of trucks of mark «KAMAZ» took place.

Speaking of events of the past week, it is necessary to note that on December 9, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held the aforementioned extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers with participation of heads of diplomatic missions and consular establishments of Turkmenistan in the foreign states and representations of our country at international organisations.

The work carried out by Turkmenistan in 2024 in respect of the international cooperation was summed up, key vectors of the foreign policy and priority goals in this area for the next year were discussed.

On the margins of the meeting, according to traditions of humanism of our ancestors, the head of the state signed the Decree of pardoning of 276 citizens on the occasion of International Day of Neutrality and the Resolution on financial issues of diplomatic service of Turkmenistan.

Besides it, the past week by the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan the composition of the Turkmen-Japanese economic committee from the Turkmen side was approved.

On December 10, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Executive Director of the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate Natalia German.

The representative of the largest international organisation congratulated the head of the state with International Day of Neutrality and conveyed to all Turkmen nationals her wishes of happiness, well-being and new successes on the chosen path of sovereign development and expressed gratitude for the award – the medal on the occasion of the 300th birthday anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker of the East Magtymguly Fragi.

During conversation issues of strengthening of international law and development of multipolar system of global management, consolidation of legal and institutional mechanisms for defence of peace and stability on the planet were discussed.

On December 11, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Ms. Terhi Hakala, who is completing her mission as the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia.

The special representative of EU congratulated the head of the state on International Day of Neutrality, having noted the importance of cooperation of EU with neutral Turkmenistan supporting strengthening of peace and mutual trust at regional and global levels.

During the meeting, multiplane relations between Turkmenistan and EU, including interaction in political-diplomatic, trade and economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres were discussed.

On December 11, in the Gokdepe mosque with participation of the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Arkadagly Hero Serdar the sadaka was given on the occasion of pilgrimage of Hajy Arkadag to the Sacred Kaaba. It became a bright expression of continuity of centuries-old traditions and family values of the Turkmen people nowadays enriched with the new maintenance.

Heads of the Mejlis, members of the Government, khyakims of velayats, Ashgabat and Arkadag cities, heads of military and law enforcement bodies, ministries and sectoral departments, members of the Khalk Maslakhaty, deputies of the Mejlis, heads of diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan abroad, embassies and international structures accredited in our country, heads of mass-media, imams, honourable elders and grey-haired grandmothers took part in the sadaka.

Participants of the sadaka also made a Mohammedan prayer in the Gokdepe mosque.

On December 12, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov received Head of the Vozrozhdenie Group of Design and Construction Companies (Russian Federation) Igor Bukato.

During the meeting, issues of further formation of comfortable living environment, including construction of modern apartment houses, modernisation of transport infrastructure and improvement of ecological situation in the Turkmen capital were discussed.

As the head of the state underlined, a large-scale program for development of the city infrastructure, the goal of which - to make the capital not only one of the most attractive, but also the city with the most convenient facilities for residing in the world, is carried out today.

Having highly appreciated prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed readiness of the Turkmen party to consider definite proposals on its further development.

On December 13, the President of Turkmenistan received credentials from newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Turkmenistan Arsen Avagyan and newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Turkmenistan Ravshanbek Alimov.

Along with it, on the instructions of the head of the state, in the Mejlis credentials from Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Estonia, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Kingdom of Belgium, Kingdom of Denmark and Federal Republic of Brazil were received.

Continuing the review, we will mark that the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Honoured Elder held the meeting of the Council of Elders under the Khalk Maslakhaty and the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Care. Its agenda included the issues connected with fulfilment of goals, put at the national forum and the course of large-scale work carried out in velayats.

National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Honoured Elder Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met Chairman of Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Binali Yıldırım. Issues of further development of established centuries-old relations in various areas were considered, results of the 16th meeting of the Council of Aksakals of OTS in Budapest and the meeting held on its margins were discussed.

National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Honoured Elder Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a working trip to the city of Arkadag where he familiarised with the international certificates, appropriated to the new city and projects of the objects planned to erection, and also held a working meeting with participation of corresponding heads.

As was marked, at the ceremony, which was held in the capital of Austria - the city of Vienna, Arkadag city was awarded a prestigious award «Quality Choice Prize 2024», «Diamond category» in acknowledgement of great fulfilments, initiatives and achievements of the new city in the field of quality management. This award became another evidence of international recognition of production and development of the medical cluster, being built in the new city within the second turn of its construction.

Honoured architect of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov suggested applying images of international awards of the city of Arkadag in decoration of the new bridge.

During the working meeting, he discussed the current state of construction activities in the new city and social and cultural projects planned to be built and preparation to welcome the New Year worthily there. Besides it, the proposal on organization of the next meeting of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan in the city of Arkadag in 2025 was sounded.

Within his trip, Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met General Director of the French company “Bouygues Türkmen” Alexey Reshov. The old partner of our country informed on realisation of projects entrusted to his company and further plans.

Among other events of the past week – celebration of Day of workers of the oil and gas industry and geology of Turkmenistan annually marked on December 14.

Within the celebrations on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, costly presents were given to the most distinguished workers of the branch. Winners of the creative competition were also awarded diplomas and costly gifts for highlighting successes and achievements of this important industrial sector of Turkmenistan.

With the lighting ceremony at the Main fir-tree of our Fatherland established before the capital cultural-entertaining centre "Älem", a start to the festive events on the occasion of the new year was given. During the winter holiday there as well as on main squares of cities and velayats will pass colourful performances with participation of Ayaz baba and Garpamyk, creative collectives, popular variety performers and young talents.

Thus, during the Era of Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state Turkmenistan continues to follow steadily the creative course initiated by Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and successfully realised under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Showing adherence to principles of positive neutrality, peaceful disposition and good neighbourhood, our fatherland aspires to make best of its multiplane potential for further strengthening the economic power of the state and prospering society, development of fruitful equal footed partnership, answering to goals of general well-being.