Your Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, Distinguished Heads of State, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to extend my warm wishes as you mark the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Permanent Neutrality.
I have been honoured to visit Turkmenistan on two occasions as United Nations Secretary-General, including earlier this year.
Turkmenistan is a country rich in tradition, culture and natural beauty.
Turkmenistan’s neutral status goes hand-in-hand with the goals of the United Nations for peace, justice and a life of dignity for all.
I am deeply grateful to the Government and people of Turkmenistan for hosting and supporting the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia – and for your initiatives to promote and maintain peace in the region.
The United Nations looks forward to continuing to work with you to advance peace and security, sustainable development and human rights for the people of Turkmenistan, Central Asia and beyond.
Once again, congratulations on this important anniversary.
Thank you.