Ashgabat, December 12 | ORIENT. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the International Forum on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality, extending heartfelt congratulations to the fraternal Turkmen people on the anniversary. He emphasized that Turkmenistan's neutrality, having become part of the Turkmen people's identity, is rooted in deep historical traditions, and its philosophy is embodied in the contemporary work of Esteemed Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and is being implemented with renewed dynamism by President Serdar Gurbangulyevich.

President Mirziyoyev called the Forum an important political platform for promoting ideas of peace, strengthening mutual trust, and finding solutions to pressing international problems. "We in Uzbekistan largely share the strategic vision and foreign policy approaches of our Turkmen brothers." "In this regard, we support the initiative of fraternal Turkmenistan to establish, jointly with the United Nations, a University of Peace and Neutrality," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

For New Uzbekistan, openness to the world, mutual respect, and a commitment to dialogue are fundamental values. This is why the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative was launched for the sake of shared security and prosperity.

Uzbekistan fully supported Turkmenistan's initiative to declare 2025 the International Year of Peace and Trust and co-sponsored the relevant UN General Assembly Resolution, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said, calling this idea a consolidating one.

As part of Uzbekistan's upcoming chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), it is planned to declare 2027 the Year of Preventive Diplomacy. A program of events will be adopted, including conferences, forums, and exchanges of parliamentary and youth delegations, with the active participation of the UN Regional Center in Ashgabat.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that the principles of mutual trust, respect, and unity also form the basis of the policy to transform Central Asia into an area of peace, cooperation, and good-neighborliness.

Turkmenistan's constructive policy is an important factor in ensuring stability and development in the region. Ashgabat's significant role in resuming high-level dialogue within the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and hosting the UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was particularly noted. The two countries fully share similar approaches to promoting Afghanistan's peaceful development through its involvement in regional economic processes and strengthening infrastructure connectivity.

To advance ambitious plans through humanitarian cooperation, it was proposed to organize a joint international humanitarian forum, "Dialogue of Cultures," in Tashkent and launch a regional program, "Youth for Peace and Trust."