Turkmenistan, UNODC Discuss Enhancement of Cooperation

10 December 2018, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan - H. E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia discussed a draft Plan of Practical Measures ("Road Map") on further cooperation of Turkmenistan with UNODC for the period from 2019 to 2021, during the official meeting.

"Turkmenistan has longstanding, productive and structured system of cooperation with UNODC" noted H. E. Mr. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, during the meeting. "Development of a new plan of Practical Measures will take this cooperation to a new level" - he added.

"UNODC and Turkmenistan are implementing a number of joint activities. We are pleased to say that national, regional and global projects are implemented smoothly and effectively at, i.e. UNODC - WCO Global Container Control Programme, "Strengthening the Criminal Justice response to Trafficking in Persons". We strongly believe that the Road Map will facilitate further enhancement of the cooperation between UNODC and the Government of Turkmenistan on counter-narcotics, criminal justice, crime prevention and integrity, and drug prevention, and strategize UNODC interventions in the country." - noted Ms. Ashita Mittal during the meeting.

The meeting was organized as a part of the International Neutrality Day celebrated on 12 December. The history of the Day goes back to 1995 when the UN General Assembly Special Resolution entitled 'On the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan' was adopted. The resolution serves as recognition of the peaceful foreign policy and the recognition of the authoritative role of Turkmenistan as a state that can make a worthy contribution to the peaceful development of international relations, ensuring universal security and steady progress. And on 2 February 2017, the UN General Assembly adopted without a vote resolution 71/275, introduced by Turkmenistan, which noted the link between the preservation of peace and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and declared 12 December as the International Day of Neutrality.

Ms. Ashita Mittal also attended the International Scientific Conference called "Heritage of the great Silk Road and Present International Relations" and the Exhibition dedicated to the International Neutrality Day, and a series of other events organized by the Government of Turkmenistan on 11-12 December 2018.

The Conference discussed such topics as diplomacy of the neutrality policy in international relations and experience in legal field, legacy of the Great Silk Road in development of international trade, as well as the history of the Great Silk Road, a humanitarian dimension of the humankind values.  

 "It is vital to note that Turkmenistan's 23 years of permanent neutrality have contributed to international security in the region and the rest of the world, as well as being an effective foreign policy model for the development of a successful and independent state." - highlighted Ms. Ashita Mittal in her address at the International Scientific Conference on 11 December 2018.

During her official visit to Turkmenistan, Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, had a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings with the representatives of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Justice, Education, Health and Medical Industry, General Prosecutor's Office, State Border Services and State Customs Committee, the Supreme Court, as well as international organizations and diplomatic missions which discussed the areas of further cooperation on combating illicit drug trafficking, criminal justice, crime prevention and HIV/AIDS, and drug abuse issues.  

For more information:

UNODC ROCA on Twitter

UNODC in Central Asia on Facebook

***

For more information, please contact

Ms. Dariya Kudabaeva,

Communication and External Relations Officer, UNODC ROCA,

E-mail: dariya.kudabaeva[at]un.org. Tel.: (78)-120-80-50