The head of state has delivered an address to the nation to mark a historic event – the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution declaring December 12 International Neutrality Day. Expressing his hearty congratulations to all his compatriots on the occasion, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov highlighted that the adoption of the Resolution at the 71st session of the UN General Assembly on February 2, 2017 had re-emphasized the universal importance of the native country’s permanent neutrality. The document acknowledges the momentous experience accumulated by our country over more than two decades. The UN General Assembly has also stressed that Turkmenistan’s neutrality as an effective mechanism of fruitful relations and cooperation for worldwide peace and security has long-term prospects. The event, the head of state continued, testifies that independent Turkmenistan’s policy, which is based on the time-honored peaceful and humanistic principles of the Turkmen nation as well as its age-old history and traditions, has been highly appraised by the world community. The principles and traditions are aimed at securing world peace and progress. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed his gratitude to the countries that had backed and co-sponsored the Resolution, as well as to the UN member states. We attach immense significance to strengthening our neutrality and take pride in the country’s special legal status. Neutrality is our prevailing doctrine. It preaches the preservation of peace on the planet and the development of friendly relations among nations, declares humanistic principles and promotes solidarity, the head of state said. Turkmenistan firmly adheres to its international legal status and convincingly demonstrates that neutrality, peace and good neighborly relations are the foundation of its policy. Our independent country’s permanent neutrality plays a crucial role in establishing broad cooperation with other countries in the political, economic, cultural, scientific-educational and other fields. It is invaluable and helpful in implementing the multi-vector foreign strategy. Our initiatives and proposals to advance international trade-economic relations, ensure environmental safety and combat climate change, protect the environment and create transnational transport corridors have received support from the world community, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said. Considerable assistance and progressive development of Turkmenistan’s international constructive initiatives have become clear evidence of increasing efficiency of our country’s multi-track diplomacy within the Community of Nations.