On December 29, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had video conference meeting with the dean of diplomatic corps in Turkmenistan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation Alexander Blokhin. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan R. Meredov has also taken part in online meeting. Greeting Russian diplomat, Turkmen Leader has noted that good practice to celebrate New Year together, with participation of the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan has been established in the last years, however, due to current situation, the meeting is held in new format. Taking the opportunity, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has cordially congratulated A. Blokhin as a dean of the diplomatic corps and all heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan in his person on the coming New Year 2021. Coming over to the business part of the meeting, the Leader of the Nation has noted that Turkmenistan implements international cooperation and diplomatic activity in two strategic directions. They include steadfast strengthening of bilateral relations with foreign states and active cooperation with international organizations. Regarding bilateral cooperation, special attention is paid to strengthening of friendly dialog with neighboring countries, in relations with which the highest level of trust and understanding has been achieved. It was mentioned that today, our independent neutral state is one of the countries, which provides stability and security in the region. Turkmenistan is known in the world as a competent state with dynamically developing economy and attractive for investments. Our country is distinguished with internal stability and strength of political system, gradual implementation of democratic principles to the life of the state and society. All of these provides our reliable positions in the world arena, equal relations with all world countries, the Leader of the Nation said. As of today, Turkmenistan has diplomatic relations with 149 states of the world and is a member of around 50 international organizations. There 40 diplomatic missions and consulates of Turkmenistan abroad, the Head of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted. 46 diplomatic missions and consulates of foreign states and representative offices of international organizations are accredited in our country. Turkmenistan is a member of 161 international conventions and treaties. The President of Turkmenistan highlighted that maximum support to provision of universal peace, stability and security, steadfast implementation of the Sustainable development goals, strengthening of goodwill relations and cooperation in the region and beyond its borders, making of favorable conditions for disarmament processes, solution of existing conflicts and confrontations by peaceful political means, provision of energy safety are priority directions of foreign policy of our country. Speaking of the cooperation with foreign countries, Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has stated that Turkmenistan gradually strengthen traditionally friendly and beneficial relations with neighboring states, among which the countries of the Central Asia and Caspian region have to be highlighted. At the same time, close cooperation with the states of the Middle and Near East, Asian Pacific Region is developed. Comprehensive partnership with the countries of European and American continents are also important directions of foreign course of Turkmenistan. Work for expansion of fruitful dialog with African states is carried out in the last time. Relative measures are taken for further development of cooperation with competent international organizations and structures, including with the United Nations Organization, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Islamic Cooperation Organization, Non-alignment Movement and other. Turkmenistan has a status of associated member in such organizations as the Commonwealth of Independent States and Economic Cooperation Organization, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued. It was highlighted during the meeting that Turkmenistan considers its active cooperation in the UN activity, which is aimed at provision of progress and development of humankind, improvement of life level and wellbeing of people, creation of favorable conditions for global economic and social growth, maximum reveal of creative potential of human being, promotion of his rights and main freedoms, as one of the most important components of its foreign policy. For the short period, the UN General Assembly has adopted the Resolutions dedicated to the role of neutral policy of Turkmenistan, energy security, role of transport and transit corridors, which in its turn, is a visual indication of fruitful cooperation between our country with this organization in provision of peace and sustainable development on global level, Turkmen Leader has summed up. Having reminded that the UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted the Resolution on announcement of 2021 as International Year of Peace and Trust at the initiative of Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov taking the opportunity expressed gratitude to the leaders of friendly states for their support in adoption of such important document. Turkmenistan would continue putting all efforts for strengthening of peace, friendly and fraternal relations on the planet for prosperous and happy life of entire humanity, the Leader of the Nation said. The President of the country has expressed gratitude to the dead and heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan for efficient cooperation and all-around support to successful development and strengthening of cooperation between the countries. Once again, the Leader of the Nation has congratulated cordially foreign diplomats on the coming New Year and wished them all the best, strong health, happiness and success in all beginnings. In his turn, having expressed gratitude for good words, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Turkmenistan A. Blokhin has also congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and all Turkmen people in his person on the coming New Year 2021. The dean has noted that the diplomatic corps in Turkmenistan highly appreciates attentive and respective attitude to the work of the corps demonstrated by the Head of the State. Those positive results, which marks the relations between Turkmenistan and not only Russian Federation but many other countries, are based on such mutual respect, the Ambassador said, having added that the heads of all diplomatic missions in Ashgabat are able to confirm his words. The diplomat highlighted that expiring year was special for Turkmenistan; it was marked with an important milestone in the history of the country, which has deservingly celebrated the 25th anniversary of the status of permanent and positive neutrality. Highlighting multidimensional influence of this status on the world integration processes, the dean addressing President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that the world is convinced today that Turkmen neutrality is a strong and active position, an actual mechanism of establishment of efficient international cooperation. According to the diplomat, the unanimous adoption of the Resolution on the Role and Importance of the policy of neutrality in support and strengthening of global peace, security and sustainable development at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly and establishment of the Group of friends of neutrality have become another evidence of support of Turkmenistan’s course by the world community. You have set very ambitious goals for the Government of Turkmenistan next year, which solution has to bring the country to the next level of development, new heights of industrialization, digitization and sustainable development in the context of the UN Millennium development goals, A. Blokhin said addressing the Head of Turkmenistan. The coming year will be held under the sign of the 30th anniversary of independence. The achievements of this year give many reasons to Turkmenistan’s citizens to be proud of their Motherland, the oldest in the country by the period of his office diplomat said, having expressed confidence to Turkmen Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that all plans for 2021 would be successfully implemented. Being the Ambassador of Russia, I highly appreciate your personal contribution to the strengthening of Russian – Turkmen relations, which are built on the principles of strategic partnership. Our countries have managed to build strong foundation of beneficial bilateral cooperation owing to traditionally friendly relations and trustful dialog on high level between our states. Having expressed the gratitude for given opportunity to make New Year wishes as the dean of diplomatic corps, Russian diplomat has wished strong health, happiness and prosperity to the President of Turkmenistan with the words «Täze ýylyňyz gutly bolsun!» Having expressed gratitude for sincere wishes, the President of the country highlighted that he is happy with the current meeting in such format. Having expressed gratitude for good words, addressed to friendly people of Turkmenistan, the Head of the State again congratulated the dean and all heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan on the coming holiday. “Happy New Year!”, - Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.