By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Seoul held the official reception on the occasion of 300th anniversary of birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi and the 33rd Anniversary of the Independence of Turkmenistan on Oct. 30, 2024.

Delivering a welcoming speech, H.E. B. Durdyyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Seoul said, “We aim to explore new opportunities in innovation, sustainable development, and mutual benefit with South Korea. At the same time, we are interested to contribute not only to the prosperity of our nations but also to regional stability and global peace.”

Noting that the Turkmen-Korean cooperation is especially required for the development of smart cities, the ambassador said, “Turkmenistan’s Arkadag City project is a cornerstone of its urban development strategy. The city is designed to feature smart infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, and integrated technology, providing a huge opportunity for the Korean companies specializing in these areas.”

The following is the excerpts of the speech by H.E. B. Durdyyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan during the official reception. –Ed. 

It is a great honor and privilege to welcome you all on this special occasion as today we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Independence of the Permanent Neutral Turkmenistan within the Year, which is officially proclaimed in our country as the «Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi» in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. 

Thirty-three years ago, Turkmenistan took a historic step towards self-determination by adopting the Constitutional Act on its independence, which defined Turkmenistan as an independent and democratic state. Under the wise leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan has since made remarkable strides, achieving significant milestones in economic and social development.

As it was already mentioned, this year has particular significance for the people of Turkmenistan. It has been declared as "The Year of the Fount of the Wisdom of Magtymguly Fragi," in honor of the 300th anniversary of the birth of our great thinker and poet. The timeless works of Magtymguly Fragi, his poetry is a lasting symbol of our cultural heritage and an inspiration for our ongoing efforts to promote peace and trust on a global scale.

These values of peace and trust, expressed in Magtymguly Fragi's works, align seamlessly with Turkmenistan's longstanding commitment to its status as a permanently neutral state. 

Since achieving this unique status in 1995, Turkmenistan has remained steadfast in its dedication to neutrality, guided by principles of non-interference, peaceful coexistence, and constructive dialogue with all nations. Our neutrality is not just a diplomatic stance but a reflection of our deep-rooted cultural values - that prioritizes harmony, mutual respect, and cooperation.

In line with our commitment to these ideals, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the initiative of Turkmenistan, the Resolution named “2025 - International Year of Peace and Trust” was adopted. This Resolution was co-sponsored by 86 states. This initiative reflects our belief in the importance of fostering global dialogue, reinforcing peace, and building trust among nations. 

As another example, I would like to inform you that on October 24, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “Zone of Peace, Trust, and Cooperation in Central Asia,” initiated by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 37 states. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express our gratitude to the Korean side for the support of this Resolution and other countries who co-sponsored and supported this document. This significant achievement underscores Turkmenistan’s dedication to enhancing stability, security, and constructive partnerships in the Central Asian region. Through this resolution, Turkmenistan advocates for Central Asia as a region where peace, trust, and collaboration serve as the foundation for sustainable development and prosperity. 

Turkmenistan has actively expanded its global interaction, including the strengthening of ties with the Republic of Korea. Since our diplomatic relations were established in 1992, Turkmenistan and Korea have cultivated a strong and dynamic partnership across numerous sectors. This relationship is built on mutual respect as well as shared vision for prosperity, development, and peace.

This year, we proudly celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries - a milestone that reflects the enduring strength of our cooperation. Over the past three decades, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea have worked hand in hand to advance our common goals, deepening ties in various fields, including politics, economy, culture and education. 

In the past two years, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in trade turnover between our countries. Notably, in the first six months of this year, trade turnover has raised more than 4.5 times compared to the same period of the last year. This rapid growth underscores the flourishing trade relations and the shared commitment to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Moreover, mutual visits at various levels have intensified, further enriching our diplomatic and economic engagement, paving the way for continued collaboration and mutual growth.

The high-level visits between our countries, especially the First State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol to Turkmenistan in June 2024, underscore the deepness of our diplomatic relations and serve as a strong foundation for future mutually beneficial cooperation.

During this historic visit, both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and technology.

Notably, the "K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative" announced by the President Yoon Suk-yeol in June 2024, represents a significant step towards fostering closer ties between Central Asian countries and Korea. It has to be noted that the Turkmen Side is ready to work closely with the Korean government to achieve the goals set by this initiative. 

In addition to abovementioned, our inter-parliamentary cooperation also continues to grow. The establishment of the Inter-parliamentary friendship group, along with regular exchanges between the Mejlis of Turkmenistan and the National Assembly of Korea, has added a new dimension to our bilateral relations. 

These exchanges, including the Second Forum of Speakers of the Parliaments of the Central Asian countries and the Republic of Korea, which was held on October 14, 2024 in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, strengthen our ties and pave the way for deeper cooperation.

It is necessary to mention that the Forum of Speakers of the Parliaments of the Central Asian countries plus the Republic of Korea was first initiated by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his official visit to the Republic of Korea in November 2022. This initiative marked a significant step in fostering multilateral parliamentary dialogue between Central Asia and Korea.

Another significant area of Turkmen-Korean cooperation is the development of smart cities. Turkmenistan’s Arkadag City project is a cornerstone of its urban development strategy. The city is designed to feature smart infrastructure, energy-efficient systems, and integrated technology, providing a huge opportunity for the Korean companies specializing in these areas.

It has to be emphasized that the uniqueness of the Arkadag Smart City was recognized with several prestigious awards at the World Smart City Expo, held in Goyang, Republic of Korea, which was held on September 3-5, 2024. The Arkadag Smart City received honors in three categories: “Smart City Excellence Award”, “Foreign City Award” and “For the Great Contribution to the World Smart City Expo 2024”. This is a true recognition of the successes achieved in the field of national urban development under the leadership of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Cultural exchange is another vital pillar of our relationship. Initiatives such as the Korean language department at the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the establishment of the Korean Educational Center are fostering greater understanding between our peoples. 

These cultural connections are complemented by our collaboration in healthcare, sports, tourism, and education, further enriching the bonds of friendship between our nations.

Looking to the future, Turkmenistan remains committed to expanding its cooperation with the Republic of Korea. We aim to explore new opportunities in innovation, sustainable development, and mutual benefit. Together, we are interested to contribute not only to the prosperity of our nations but also to regional stability and global peace.