Today, on September 14, a telephone conversation took place between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany Heiko Maas.

Minister on behalf of the Government of Germany expressed deep gratitude to Turkmenistan for cooperation in the issues of ensuring the flights of aircrafts with the aim of evacuating citizens from Afghanistan. At the same time, it was emphasized that the immediate granting of permission by Turkmenistan to use its airspace has become a decisive factor in the effective evacuation of people.

In the course of the talk, the heads of foreign affairs agencies exchanged views on the issues of bilateral collaboration in political-diplomatic, trade-economic and cultural-humanitarian spheres.

In particular, it was noted the close interaction of Turkmenistan and Germany in the process of “Green Central Asia”, as well as bilateral cooperation in the field of education between the governments of the two countries. 

The parties also exchanged views on significant issues of international and regional agenda. Mutual readiness for continuation of active dialogue on Afghan issues had been expressed.

The Ministers agreed to continue on a systematic basis regular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Turkmenistan and Germany with the participation of diplomatic missions.

20 years ago this day, brutal terrorist attacks in the United States took thousands of innocent lives, injuring and affecting even more. This merciless event shook the world and changed it forever.

Today, Georgia once again remembers and honors all the victims of this tragedy, their families, friends, and loved ones. We pay tribute to real heroes – the first responders - brave police officers and firefighters who saved so many precious lives, while in some cases sacrificing their own lives and health.

We condemn terrorism in all its forms. Georgia has proved to be a reliable partner in fight against terrorism. We remain committed to continue working together with international community to advance further our joint cause of enhancing security around the world. The most rightful way to honor the victims and survivors of September 11, 2001 is to strive together for a more peaceful world.

On the 10^th of June 2021, an official event took place in the Conference Hall of the UN House in Ashgabat which was dedicated to the opening of the Representation of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Turkmenistan.  

The event was attended by the heads and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Office of UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan and the country agencies of the Organization, as well as the journalists of local and foreign mass media. The representatives of the Embassy of Japan in Turkmenistan also participated to the event.  

In his speech at the opening of the event, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev noted the importance of the opening of the UNOPS Office in Ashgabat from the perspective of further strengthening of international cooperation for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals under the UN auspices.

The speech of the Acting UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan Ms. Christine Weigand was also heard.  She underlined that the opening of the UNOPS Representation in the country is expected to make a valuable input into the implementation of the projects carried out jointly with all the UN agencies on the national and regional levels.   

The Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Austria Ms. Freya von Groote addressed via videoconferencing.  She told to the participants about the priority directions of UNOPS activities and expressed hope for close cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan and the UN Country Team in the process of implementing the projects, including those in the area of healthcare and struggle with the climate change.  Ms. Freya von Groote also briefly informed about the goals and stages of implementation of the new grant project aimed at strengthening of the healthcare system of Turkmenistan carried out in cooperation with Japan.       

Opening of the Representation of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an important stage in the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations for 2021-2025.

The Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Khvtisiashvili met with the Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Republic of Korea to Georgia, Chung Dae-soo.

Alexander Khvtisiashvili thanked Chung Dae-soo for the support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the Korean Government’s humanitarian assistance to Georgia in dealing with COVID-19 consequences. The sides agreed to further exchange their pandemic experience.

Discussing a broad spectrum of bilateral and multilateral relations, the sides highlighted the Air Traffic Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of the Republic of Korea signed in February 2021, which lays the groundwork for intensive air communication, people-to-people contacts and tourism.

The sides paid special attention to trade-economic cooperation between the two countries. The need to fully use the trade-economic potential of the two countries and to carry out the feasibility study of the free trade agreement was also highlighted during the meeting.

A source: https://mfa.gov.ge/News/saqartvelos-sagareo-saqmeta-ministris-moadgil-(43).aspx?CatID=5&lang=en-US

On December 3, 2020, the 27th meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) began in the format of a videoconference, in the capital of the Republic of Albania, Tirana.

 The Turkmen delegation was headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov.

 The agenda of the meeting is very busy. On the first day of the meeting, the addresses of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the President of the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly were heard. The report of the OSCE Secretariat was also presented to the attention of the participants. This was followed by plenary sessions, during which the heads of delegations, heads of the foreign affairs agencies of the OSCE participating States and the partner countries for cooperation made statements.

 The parties assessed the current level of cooperation in political, economic, environmental and humanitarian directions in the OSCE area. Special attention was paid to security issues, protection of human rights and freedoms, and the fight against the global pandemic. The need to strengthen the work of the OSCE through closer coordination and cooperation, improved strategic planning and openness to reform was emphasized.

 Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan reaffirmed Turkmenistan's commitment to multifaceted cooperation with the OSCE. The participants were presented with specific proposals to improve cooperation on the OSCE platform, in particular, in the field of social, economic, environmental and energy security.

 "Our country will continue to make every effort to establish the principles of international law, the ideals of humanism, justice, tolerance, mutual respect as factors that determine modern relations between states," R. Meredov said.

Speaking today at the OSCE Ministerial Council held online, the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan R.Meredov underlined the importance of nature protection and climate change issues. As is known, the ecological safety is one of the priority spheres of cooperation between the countries within the OSCE. 

The head of Turkmen delegation stated the importance of search for effective and modern resolutions of ecological problems. In this regard, the proposal was voiced on the preparation of the Comprehensive Ecological Programme of OSCE which will help to concretize the priorities of the Organization in the nature protection field.  

“Such Programme could become a good basis for the development of projects in the area of protection and rational use of the interior, land and water resources in the OSCE member states,” said Minister Meredov.       

Today, on October 15, 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov took part in the third meeting of Foreign Ministers in the “Central Asia + Russia” format.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Tleuberdi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbayev, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation S. Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan S. Mukhriddin, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan A. Kamilov.

During the meeting, the Ministers noted the high level of interstate dialogue between the countries of Central Asia and the Russian Federation, which are linked by bonds of friendship, solidarity and mutual respect. The parties discussed a number of topical issues of cooperation in the political and diplomatic line, as well as in the trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian fields.

Particular attention was paid to the issues of response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the exchange of views on the creation of anti-crisis plans and programs on overcoming the socio-economic consequences on the countries of the region.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov announced the measures taken in the country to counter the pandemic threat and stressed the importance of strengthening regional and international cooperation in this direction. “According to the initiatives voiced by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his video address to the participants of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, it is necessary to use the mechanisms of scientific diplomacy and consolidate the efforts of the relevant state departments, primarily through the ministries of health and sanitary and epidemiological services,” the Minister said.

The parties discussed in detail the current situation and prospects of interaction in the field of regional security, taking into account the development of the situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. In this regard, it was noted that Turkmenistan stands for stabilizing the situation in this country, creating conditions for achieving national agreement through peaceful dialogue and providing the people of Afghanistan with economic and humanitarian assistance. The parties exchanged views on expanding the range of cooperation to counter common threats and challenges. In this context, the need to expand partnership within the framework of regional and international structures, taking into account universally recognized norms and principles, was noted.

The Ministers considered the possibilities of expanding a fair and mutually beneficial partnership in the Eurasian space, including the development of trade and economic ties and investment cooperation. Prospects for the implementation of key initiatives of the Central Asian states, the Russian Federation and the Asian-Pacific region’s countries in the transit and logistics sphere were discussed, which is expected to strengthen trade and economic relations, ensure favorable tariff conditions, and increase competitiveness in the post-pandemic period.

The parties also discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the cultural-humanitarian sphere. They noted the acceptability of developing ties in the field of education, science and culture. In this context, the parties stressed the importance of the "Soul of Eurasia" initiative aimed at developing cultural dialogue between the countries.

In conclusion, noting the commitment to interaction in this format, the Ministers adopted the Statement on the strategic directions of cooperation.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani spoke over the phone with his Armenian counterpart, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan. The Armenian Minister expressed his gratitude for the Georgian government’s active communication with Armenia.

The two ministers exchanged information on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak situation and on actions taken by the Georgian and Armenian governments to prevent its further spread.

On behalf of the Georgian Prime Minister, David Zalkaliani once again offered assistance to the Armenian side in the fight against the pandemic.

Speaking on behalf of the Armenian Prime Minister, Zohrab Mnatsakanyan expressed his appreciation regarding the offer. He said that he highly values the Georgian people’s support in these difficult times. The two ministers agreed to continue active communication, including through the active involvement of sectoral agencies.

Exchanging information on security issues, the parties underlined that regional and global security taken on an increasingly meaningful focus during the pandemic.

Conversations also included issues of cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats, including within the Eastern Partnership

Special note was taken of the special importance of Eastern Partnership for the countries involved in it. The Ministers said that they look forward to exchanging high-level visits once the pandemic is over. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan invited David Zalkaliani for a visit to Armenia.

“The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union has adopted a very important document, which will serve as the basis for the forthcoming Eastern Partnership Summit. We have worked very intensively with our partners to ensure that all of our priorities are reflected in this document” - Foreign Minister Davit Zalkaliani said when assessing the Conclusions  adopted by the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
 
According to him, the document includes important issues such as Georgia's European aspirations and European choices. The document also reiterates support for Georgia's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, while the EU's involvement in conflict resolution is outlined as a priority. In the words of the Minister, the document also emphasizes the need to strengthen transport and energy ties, in which the Black Sea region plays an important role.

"Most importantly, the document says that the Eastern Partnership is of strategic importance to the European Union, and this gives us reason to say that the final declaration that will be adopted at the next Eastern Partnership Summit will be comprehensive and will cover all key areas important for us," Zalkaliani said.
 
The Council approved conclusions the on Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020, reaffirming the strategic importance of the partnership for the EU, and the joint commitment to building a common area of shared democracy, prosperity and stability.

On April 27, 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R.Meredov held a meeting with the representatives of the United Nations and its structural agencies working in Turkmenistan.

The meeting was focused on the main topic of the recent telephone conversation between the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres.

As the chief of the external political agency has mentioned, the President of Turkmenistan and the UN Secretary-General reiterated the high level of cooperation, as well as discussed the urgent matters of the international agenda, particularly the social and economic situation in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic.  In this regard, the parties considered the opportunities for the perfection of collaboration by strengthening joint efforts.  Thus, the Turkmen side is ready to present its experience and possibilities for the resolution of problems and is designing a National plan under the auspices of the UN.      

Based on the aforesaid, Minister underlined the need to intensify cooperation with all the UN structures functioning in Turkmenistan for the implementation of the goals voiced by the Head of State that are aimed at overall wellbeing.   

The representatives of international organizations highly appraised the actions of the Government of Turkmenistan, as well as the openness of the country and its commitment to establish the international mechanisms in the field of healthcare, food security, and transport. It was stated that the given telephone conversation serves as a vivid proof of friendship, trust and mutual understanding between Turkmenistan and the UN. 

It was emphasized that Turkmenistan, being an active member of the UN intends to cooperate further with its international partners for the search of effective resolutions and approaches to the challenges and threats of modern times.