Yesterday, on July 5, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in the Turkmen capital on a visit.

As you know, one of the key vectors of the foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan, laid down by the National Leader of the Turkmen people and currently being implemented by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, is effective cooperation with the United Nations and active participation in developing solutions to topical issues on the global agenda of our time. At the same time, it should be noted that the main aspects of our state's "open door" policy are to strengthen peace and universal security, broad international partnership in the name of ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of all countries and the well-being of peoples.

Having become a full member of the United Nations in 1992, Turkmenistan has consistently advocated strengthening the authority of this largest structure, whose main goals are to maintain peace and security on the planet, develop friendly relations between states, cooperate in solving international problems, ensure respect for human rights, and coordinate the actions of different countries.

It was the openness of our Motherland, its unwavering commitment to the high principles laid down by the Community of Nations as the basis for a successfully developing constructive dialogue, that largely predetermined the granting of Turkmenistan in 1995 a unique and unique neutral status delegated by the UN with the consensus of 185 states. It is also noteworthy that on June 3, 2015, at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly, with the support of 193 states, the Resolution "Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan" was adopted for the second time.

Based on a wealth of productive experience, bilateral cooperation acquires a new quality and content every year. A clear proof of this is our country's accession to the main international conventions, which have become a reliable platform for long-term strategic partnership within the framework of joint projects and programs. Over the years of cooperation, our state has demonstrated unwavering adherence to its obligations, building trusting relationships with all interested parties.

The growing authority of Turkmenistan in the international arena is also evidenced by the repeated election of our Motherland as Vice-Chairman of the UN General Assembly and to the important structural institutions of this authoritative organization, the opening of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat on the initiative of Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

At the same time, it should be noted that the creative proposals put forward by Turkmenistan at the sessions of the UN General Assembly aimed at further strengthening cooperation within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development find great support from the Community of Nations. A vivid example of this is the consolidation by special resolutions of the UN General Assembly of extremely important initiatives of the Turkmen side to ensure energy security and reliability of the pipeline infrastructure, establish a mutually beneficial partnership to form an international system of transport and transit corridors, etc. All this has given a new impetus to the strengthening of an interested comprehensive dialogue at the level of the Community of Nations…

At the Ashgabat International Airport, decorated with the flags of the United Nations and Turkmenistan, the head of the largest authoritative international organization was met by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

At the plane ramp, children in national costumes presented bread and salt and luxurious bouquets of flowers to the distinguished guest. After walking along the carpet, along which soldiers of the Guard of Honor lined up on both sides, Antonio Guterres passes into the hall of official delegations. The UN chief had a conversation with the Hero Arkadag here.

Welcoming the distinguished guest, the National Leader of the Turkmen people stressed that the expansion of cooperation with the United Nations is a strategic priority of Turkmenistan's foreign policy. As noted, taking an active part in the affairs of the world community, our country will continue to steadily follow the course of positive neutrality, peacefulness and good neighborliness.

Special emphasis was placed on the constructive nature of bilateral contacts within the framework of the implementation of the Framework Program for Cooperation in the Field of Sustainable Development for 2021-2025, which is the basic document for joint work. In this context, Turkmenistan's intention to continue to take the necessary measures to implement the planned plans was confirmed.

Noting the effectiveness of relations with international organizations and UN structural units, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to Antonio Guterres for supporting the creative initiatives of the Turkmen side aimed at establishing and maintaining a climate of mutual understanding and trust on the planet.

In turn, the UN Secretary General stressed that he was glad to visit Ashgabat once again. As noted, the United Nations sees Turkmenistan as a reliable and responsible partner and is interested in further developing the established fruitful cooperation that meets the goals of universal well-being and progress. At the same time, the uniqueness of the international legal status of the permanent neutrality of the Turkmen state, which steadily follows the chosen peaceful foreign policy based on the principles of good neighborliness, equality and mutually beneficial partnership with all interested countries, was stated.

In continuation, the guest expressed sincere gratitude to the Hero-Arkadag for his great personal contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation, which in recent years has acquired a new quality and content. At the same time, Antonio Guterres praised the efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people in addressing issues related to the reduction and prevention of statelessness.

Noting with satisfaction that the strategic partnership covers a wide range of areas – socio-economic and legal spheres, the humanitarian field, education, health, ecology and a number of others – Chairman Halk Maslahaty and the head of the United Nations confirmed their readiness to progressively build up effective relations, the reliable foundation of which is the rich experience of cooperation accumulated in recent years and its multifaceted potential. At the same time, confidence was expressed in the further successful development of fruitful contacts based on mutual constructive proposals and efforts to implement them.

Then the National Leader of the Turkmen people and the UN Secretary General went from the air harbor of the Turkmen capital to the Oguzkent hotel.

The main point of the program of the distinguished guest's stay in Turkmenistan will be the official meeting of the head of the largest international structure and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which will take place tomorrow morning. A wide range of issues of bilateral and international cooperation of mutual interest will be included on the agenda of the negotiations in narrow and expanded formats.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is also scheduled to meet with the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It is expected that an exchange of views will take place on the prospects of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations, on topical issues on the regional and global agenda.

During his visit to Ashgabat, Antonio Guterres will visit the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia and the office of the UN Representative Office in our country. The head of the reputable international organization will also take part in the celebrations on the occasion of the opening of the Mirap building, which will be handed over to the UN Mission in Turkmenistan.

The current visit of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the upcoming negotiations are intended to be an important step towards expanding the long-term productive bilateral dialogue, filling it with qualitatively new content that meets everyone's interests. The agreements that will be reached following the meetings will serve as a powerful impetus for the implementation of promising joint projects and programs in the context of the goals and objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.