OSCE PA delegation with Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel GulmanovaASHGABAT, 18 May 2023 – A high-level delegation led by the OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt, accompanied by Vice-President Pia Kauma, visited Turkmenistan this week with the aim of addressing several pressing issues, including regional security and prospects for deepening co-operation within the OSCE PA.
With the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and increasing concerns about the evolving situation in neighboring Afghanistan, which has a direct impact on Turkmenistan’s stability, the OSCE PA delegation met with representatives of Turkmenistan’s government and parliament. Turkmenistan, interlocutors said, recognizes the crucial role it can play in fostering peace and co-operation within the region. The leaders discussed avenues for enhancing regional security, including intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and countering transnational threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
The delegation met with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, who expressed confidence that this visit would give a new impetus to the further development of partnership between Turkmenistan and the OSCE PA. President Berdimuhamedov stressed the importance of inter-parliamentary dialogue as one of the essential tools for maintaining trust between states. Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to expand co-operation and strengthen inter-parliamentary ties.
At a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vepa Hajiyev, the delegation discussed the issue of Turkmenistan’s role in fostering peace and co-operation within the region. Cederfelt and Kauma commended Turkmenistan’s ongoing efforts in providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and expressed deep concern over the conflict’s implications for regional and global stability. Regarding Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Hajiyev underscored the need for diplomatic efforts and dialogue to address the war.
During a meeting with the Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Cederfelt and Kauma emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between the Central Asia region in addressing common challenges. They encouraged Turkmenistan’s OSCE PA Delegation to take active part in the activities of the Assembly. Dunyagozel Gulmanova, the Chairperson of the Mejlis, emphasized the significance of parliamentary exchanges and dialogue to address the shared concerns of the region effectively.
The discussions laid the groundwork for continued dialogue and collaboration, based on mutual trust, respect, and shared responsibility in achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. The leaders reiterated Turkmenistan’s status as a neutral state and its readiness to actively engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts. They also expressed confidence that the visit and the Regional Seminar on the Role of Neutral States in Strengthening Security, Stability and Dialogue in the OSCE Area – held jointly by the PA and the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on Tuesday – would serve as a catalyst for fostering stronger ties between Turkmenistan and its neighboring countries.
In addition to the bilateral talks with the leadership of the country, President Cederfelt and Vice-President Kauma had meetings with the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Ambassador John MacGregor, UN Resident Coordinator Dmytro Shlapachenko and the EU Ambassador to Turkmenistan Diego Ruiz Alonso.
