Peace must prevail over conflict, said Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, national leader of the Turkmen people, in a timely appeal for renewed multilateral cooperation as geopolitical uncertainties are deepening worldwide.
In an interview with the China Media Group on Wednesday, Berdimuhamedov, also chairman of Turkmenistan's Halk Maslahaty, urged the international community to harness the United Nations' institutional mechanisms and resources to de-escalate tensions and restore peace.
"The current international situation is complex and challenging. Yet I remain convinced that, despite the many difficulties before us, we still have the possibility of restoring order out of turmoil, eliminating confrontation, and returning to the civilized path of dialogue. In this regard, the United Nations has the necessary mechanisms and resources. The key question is whether we have the determination to make good use of them," said the leader.
Turkmenistan, a permanently neutral state recognized by the United Nations since 1995, maintains a principled stance of non-involvement in regional conflicts. Berdimuhamedov underscored that this position reflects not only Turkmenistan's foreign policy strategy, but also a deeper ethical commitment.
"As a permanently neutral country, Turkmenistan does not involve itself in any conflict. For that very reason, Turkmenistan firmly opposes the use of force as a means of coercion in international relations. For us, this is not merely a matter of foreign policy choice. More importantly, it is a matter of conscience and moral principle, because it is ordinary people whose lives are crushed first by the iron hoof of war. War destroys their destinies, their dreams and their hopes. War can reduce all that is beautiful to ashes in an instant," he said.
"That is why, in our time, we shouldn't devote twice the effort to planning war, but rather exert tenfold the effort to eliminate war and build peace. Here, I would like to quote a timeless saying from a great historical figure. It comes from the distinguished medieval Turkmen statesman Bayram Khan Turkmen, who observed with deep insight that 'Far more precious than winning a war is knowing how to live in peace'," said Berdimuhamedov.
Berdimuhamedov paid a goodwill visit to China from Tuesday to Thursday.
Turkmen national leader calls for peace amid current volatile int'l situation
