Lecture by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov
On June 25, 2025, the “Yyldyz” Hotel in the capital of Turkmenistan,
Ashgabat hosted a lecture by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov, who arrived to our country with official
visit on June 24, 2025. This visit is taking place during a significant period - the
International Year of Peace and Trust, the year of the 30th anniversary of
Turkmenistan's Permanent Neutrality and the 80th anniversary of the United
Nations.
During the lecture, S.V. Lavrov delivered a speech about mutual respect,
understanding, and the highest spirit of cooperation established between the leaders
and peoples of our countries, which is an example of effective cooperation.
Strategic partnership between Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation is not only
important for the two states but also significant for Central Asia and the Caspian
region. The 30 th anniversary of Permanent Neutrality is a significant date in the
history of independent Turkmenistan. It is well known that time has shown that
there is no alternative to the new philosophy of international relations “Dialogue is
a guarantee of peace”, initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people,
Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan our Hero Arkadag.
In his speech, Sergey Lavrov thanked for the warm welcome in
Turkmenistan and noted that regular meetings of the heads of foreign policy
departments with teachers and students of higher educational institutions have
become a good tradition. This confirms the importance of cooperation between the
countries. The Minister expressed gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen
people Hero Arkadag, and the esteemed President of Turkmenistan Serdar
Berdimuhamedov for their support to development of friendly, mutually and
beneficial relations.
S.V. Lavrov also spoke about the prominence of holding a Forum on
transport and logistics issues for landlocked developing dountries, which will be
held as a special event of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked
Developing Countries (LLDCs3), and will take place from August 5 to 8, 2025 in
the Avaza National Tourist Zone.
Considerable attention was paid to political instruments for strengthening
global peace and ensuring sustainable development, including the status of
permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan, which is distinguished by its effectiveness.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation noted that, the
legal status of permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, which unanimously
recognized by the United Nations three times, has the potential to become an
effective platform for numerous negotiation processes. Particular attention was
paid to the fact that Turkmenistan, under the leadership of the esteemed President
Arkadagly Hero Serdar, consistently takes the necessary measures to strengthen
global security in the international space. Moreover, the Russian guest noted that
the concept of global security covers a set of principles used to resolve any
difficult situation.
Also, the Minister emphasized that the education system is one of the key
areas of Turkmen-Russian cooperation. As noted, thousands of young Turkmen
citizens are currently studying in higher educational institutions of the Russian
Federation. In addition, cooperation between the Moscow State Institute of
International Relations (University) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Russian Federation and the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan plays a significant role in the training of highly
qualified specialists in the field of International relations and diplomacy.
In conclusion of Sergei Lavrov's lecture, participants asked questions about
current topics. They were interested in the challenges and prospects for achieving
the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 in the current geopolitical
situation, as well as new areas of cooperation between two fraternal nations in the
fields of education, science, culture as well as energy. The contribution of youth
and future diplomats to strengthening Turkmen-Russian relations and developing
international dialogue was also discussed. Considerable attention was paid to the
concept of Turkmenistan's positive Neutrality, the role of the Group of Friends of
Neutrality, and the potential of Neutral states in shaping a new architecture of
international relations, including the possibilities of preventive diplomacy.
Hojamyrat BAYLYYEV,
the 3 rd year student
of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.