A: As we all know, Turkmenistan invited for the first time international organizations to send their expert missions to the February 2007 presidential elections, including the United Nations delegation represented by the UN Secretariat. This initial experience was encouraging and has led to further dialogue regarding future collaboration between Turkmenistan and the UN in the area of elections. As a result, following the elections, the new government requested United Nations assistance in implementation of the electoral reforms announced by President Berdymukhamedov. After thorough consultations between the government and the UN, a needs assessment mission from the Department of Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was undertaken in November 2007 and resulted in the development of a technical assistance project. This project, which will commence very soon, focuses on improving the electoral legal framework and processes; developing capacities of the Central Electoral Commission and its local branches; and increasing public awareness on the role of elections through civic and voters education.  

Q: You have participated in the inauguration ceremony. What kind of impressions do you have about this landmark event in the history of Turkmen people?  

A: I think the inauguration ceremony has clearly shown that Turkmenistan will remain committed to its peaceful policy that focuses on ensuring peace and stability at regional and global levels. It was also notable to see that the new president pledged to initiate reforms in the socio-economic and other sectors towards improving living standards for the people, as he had promised in his pre-election campaign. He invited every citizen of Turkmenistan to actively participate in realizing these national priorities and I think this is really an important landmark in Turkmenistan’s history.  

Q: Can you tell us about the year 2007 in terms of UN-Turkmenistan cooperation?  

A: Overall, I can assert that we have achieved a lot in 2007 together with the government. It was gratifying to see that, following the inauguration of the President, there were immediate moves to implement international standards and policy advice provided by the UN in areas such as education and social welfare, particularly pensions. There was progress in existing areas of joint work but we also initiated cooperation in new areas related to the reforms which the government has embarked on and invited us to support. These include support to national efforts in the areas of human rights, local development, electoral reforms, information and communication technologies, education and economic reforms. Good progress has already been made in some of these areas while, in other areas, joint consultations and follow-up work are underway. I would say that the UN has been particularly pleased to establish new projects to support development at velayat, etrap and village levels, as well as to improve human rights standards overall. In these endeavours, new and productive partnerships have emerged with such bodies as the Mejlis and the Institute of Democracy and Human Rights.  Moreover, the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia was established in Ashgabat in December 2007 and this, together with the expanding UN country programme, opens the way for a new chapter of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United Nations.  

Q: Opening of the UN Regional Centre for preventive diplomacy has become an important development in the history of not only Turkmenistan, but the international community on the whole. How will the activities of this centre impact the collaboration between UN and Turkmenistan? 

A: The UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) is mandated to provide assistance to the five Central Asian countries in conflict prevention and maintaining peace in the region. All the Central Asian countries have made remarkable progress in the last 16 years in developing their independent statehoods, models of growth and national identities. However, considerable challenges remain. Countries face a range of new threats such as international terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and organized crime, and environmental pressures. While the UN and Turkmenistan already cooperate in regional initiatives in some of these areas, looking at these issues through preventive diplomacy opens a different perspective in dealing with them. The UNRCCA is created as a small political mission led by a Representative of the UN Secretary General and will provide assistance to the governments through capacity building, facilitation of dialogue, catalyzing international support and mediation. Of course, support to the Government and UN Country Team of Turkmenistan will be an important component of the Centre’s work. The UNRCCA will also cooperate closely with other international and regional organizations. From past and present experiences in the world, it is obvious that conflicts are costly in terms of human suffering and their negative impact on economic and social development. Preventive diplomacy is an investment in peace to address potential sources of tension and offset the risk of conflict. There is no doubt that the activities of the Centre will strengthen and expand the collaboration between the UN and Turkmenistan. And Turkmenistan is already well placed to play a lead role in conflict prevention in the region. Examples of Turkmenistan’s previous experience in mediation are the series of inter-Tajik and inter-Afghan peace talks held in the mid-90s, which eventually contributed to reducing the conflicts in these countries.  

Q: How do you see the future of UN-Turkmenistan relations?  

A: Turkmenistan and the United Nations have established productive cooperation over the years of the country’s independence. The emphasis placed by the President on gradually introducing international standards to the country’s legal framework and to all spheres of economic and social development opens up many more opportunities for UN-Turkmenistan relations. Our joint programmes in support of the reforms and for the benefit of Turkmenistan’s people are expanding, based upon the valuable experience we have gained working together in the past.  

Finally, let me take this opportunity of congratulating President Berdymukhamedov on the occasion of the first anniversary of his inauguration as the president. I would like to wish him all success in his endeavors to implement the important reforms that he has initiated.