I congratulate you with the commencement of the International Conference, “Policy of Neutrality and Preventive Diplomacy in International Relations: Experience of Turkmenistan and Its Significance”, and with International Neutrality Day, reads the address by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It is symbolic that this representative forum is taking place during the days when all member states to the Community of Nations, together with the people of Turkmenistan, are widely celebrating the triumph of the policy of neutrality in international relations. By remaining committed to the policy of neutrality and principles of peacefulness, Turkmenistan is unwavering in pursuing its foreign policy strategy aimed at positive cooperation that meets national and universal interests, states the message. International initiatives put forward by independent neutral Turkmenistan demonstrate the constructive character of our country’s approaches towards cooperation with all members of the Community of Nations. This is evidenced by the fact that our country has become a center for active exchange of views on important issues of foreign policy, international relations and diplomacy, the venue for multilateral meetings and forums. In this context, the agenda of this conference proves the integrity of notions of neutrality and preventive diplomacy. Neutrality and preventive diplomacy serve as an integral, interconnected system that aims to create necessary conditions for peace talks, prevention of dangerous challenges and risks of our time, highlights the address. Since the first days after independence, neutral Turkmenistan has been maintaining close relations with the United Nations. Ten years ago the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia has been inaugurated in Ashgabat, and this considerably increased opportunities for the productive dialog between Turkmenistan and the UN. On 17 November 2017, at the 55th plenary meeting of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Resolution on the Role of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia has been adopted unanimously, demonstrating comprehensive support by the international community of the experience of preventive diplomacy. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the work of this UN regional structure indicates enormous potential for using Turkmenistan’s neutrality along with political and organizational tools of the Community of Nations. Time has shown that Turkmenistan’s peacekeeping potential and its experience of cooperation with the United Nations have become a foundation for implementing the principles of preventive diplomacy. Established as a regional center, this structure uses effective instruments of negotiating, thus promoting peace and security in Central Asia. Turkmenistan’s peacekeeping strategy is structured around the doctrine of integrity and inviolability of security. In a geopolitical sense, peace-keeping and ensuring sustainable development can be achieved through stability and common consent on national, regional and global level. Besides the political dimension, this approach comprises vectors of tackling issues pertaining to economics, energy, environment, food and humanitarian sphere. Our country actively participates in developing and making mutually agreed decisions, consolidating efforts in combating dangerous challenges and threats of our time; renders effective assistance in ensuring peace, social and economic revival and development of Afghanistan; in rational use of land and water resources; in tackling environmental issues and protecting the environment. I trust that this conference will promote exchange of experience; successful implementation of fundamental principles of neutrality and preventive diplomacy in the system of international relations, states the address by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.