On January 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a briefing by Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat Natalya Drozd with the participation of representatives of the diplomatic corps and the mass media, faculty members of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The Head of the OSCE Center highly commended the political, economic and humanitarian aspects of neutrality, which are the main pillars of our country’s foreign policy. They seek to promote peace, stability and security on the regional and global scales. In this context, Ms. Drozd emphasized the fact that the Outcome Document of the International Conference entitled “Policy of Neutrality and Its Role in Ensuring International Peace, Security and Sustainable Development”, which was held under the chairmanship of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on December 12, 2020, had been published in six official languages of the United Nations. The Document recommends that all UN member states actively assist in implementing the policy of neutrality, making full use of neutral states’ potential in international efforts aimed to maintain peace and foster understanding. The Document also acknowledges that to this end, it is necessary to take advantage of instruments of preventive diplomacy, which is a key component of activities carried out by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Highlighting the overriding importance and great need for using political and diplomatic means as dispute settlement mechanisms in international relations, the Head of the OSCE Center voiced her support for President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s constructive initiatives and practical steps being taken in this field. “It must be particularly emphasized that the Ashgabat Document welcomes the creation of the Group of Friends of Neutrality for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development. The initiative by the Government of Turkmenistan has special significance since the Group will serve as an effective platform for maintaining equitable dialogue seeking to put the potential of neutrality to work in the interests of greater international political cooperation”, Ms. Drozd said. She also expressed confidence that the Document would serve as a guiding beacon for further collaboration between Turkmenistan and the OSCE. During the briefing, the Head of the OSCE Center in Ashgabat also highlighted the importance of the UN General Assembly Resolution declaring 2021 the International Year of Peace and Trust. As noted in this context, having initiated the Resolution, Turkmenistan under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has reaffirmed its commitment to using its neutral status to contribute to the global efforts aimed to promote peace and security.