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OSCE symposium discusses role of Turkmenistan within Central Asia
ASHGABAD 11 December 2002
ASHGABAD, 12 December 2002 - Turkmenistan's role in Central Asia as an "independent and neutral country" was the focus of an international symposium this week, opened by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, in the country's capital, Ashgabad.
The meeting drew representatives from the United Nations, the OSCE, the other four Central Asian States, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, and Turkey - politicians, diplomats, and scientists from well-known institutes. It was also attended by Turkmen politicians and officials, the representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Ashgabat, as well as NGO's and media representatives.
The welcoming address of the symposium, entitled "The Role of Independent and Neutral Turkmenistan in the Central Asian Region", was read by the Foreign Minister on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. The event, held over two days on 9 and 10 December, was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad, in co-operation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
It also offered a good opportunity to discuss relevant issues with regard to the role of Turkmenistan, as well as the broader concept of regional security and the situation in Central Asian region. A meaningful exchange of opinions on the issues of relevance to Turkmenistan and to the whole region was considered a very positive outcome of the Symposium.
The meeting drew representatives from the United Nations, the OSCE, the other four Central Asian States, Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, and Turkey - politicians, diplomats, and scientists from well-known institutes. It was also attended by Turkmen politicians and officials, the representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited in Ashgabat, as well as NGO's and media representatives.
The welcoming address of the symposium, entitled "The Role of Independent and Neutral Turkmenistan in the Central Asian Region", was read by the Foreign Minister on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov. The event, held over two days on 9 and 10 December, was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabad, in co-operation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
It also offered a good opportunity to discuss relevant issues with regard to the role of Turkmenistan, as well as the broader concept of regional security and the situation in Central Asian region. A meaningful exchange of opinions on the issues of relevance to Turkmenistan and to the whole region was considered a very positive outcome of the Symposium.