ISLAMABAD: Turkmenistan’s Ambassador at large Sapar Berdiniyazov on Wednesday said his country was ready to facilitate talks between the stakeholders in Afghanistan.

Speaking at a dialogue: “Turkmenistan’s Policy of Neutrality and Peace” he said military option did not offer any solution to the crisis.

The dialogue was organised by Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

Mr Berdiniyazov said that Turkmenistan was following the policy of neutrality.

“We will not become part of any military alliance but are ready to play role in bringing peace, security and stability to the world. The country provides a trade corridor between Asia and Europe and also within Asia,” he said.

While replying to a question about relations with Pakistan Mr Berdiniyazov said that Pakistan was the second country which recognised Turkmenistan after it came into being in 1991 and opened embassy within three months after recognising.

Ready to facilitate talks between stakeholders in Afghanistan

“Pakistan also supported us financially by giving credit in early 90s. It also trained young diplomats of Turkmenistan in Foreign Services Academy,” he said.

However, the $300 million trade volume between the two countries is not enough and needs to be increased, he said.

He said that the self-styled Islamic State (IS) was a new threat not only to Turkmenistan but also to the world.

“Stories have been published in press that IS has been operating in Pakistan however I believe that IS is currently operating in Iraq and Syria.

We will not become part of the military alliance against IS but we will defend ourselves in case of any aggression,” he said.

The ambassador of Turkmenistan in Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, who has also served in Kabul, said that Turkmenistan was ready to provide help in intra-Afghan negotiations.

Director General ISSI Masood Khan, who was the moderator of the dialogue, said that Turkmenistan is a bridge between countries for economic trade.

He said that he also believes that the volume of trade should be increased between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

Former Ambassador Tariq Usman Haider said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan are natural partners.

Published in Dawn March 19th , 2015

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