OREANDA-NEWS. September 3, 2008. The potential trends and prospects of co-operation between the Central Asian countries and the large international organisations, particularly the United Nations, were the focus of the special workshop Conflict Prevention: Analysis for Action held at the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy. The officials of the Central Asian foreign ministries, the experts of the UN agencies and international organisations operating in the region take part in the forum.

Addressing the forum Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov presented Turkmenistan’s conception based on the most responsible approach to equal partnership with the United Nations and the neighbours in the region. It was noted that Turkmenistan’s actions exemplified steadfast adherence to the fundamental principles of positive neutrality – peaceableness, non-interference, active assistance to peacemaking processes and wide international co-operation.

Expressing support to the UN activity the head of the foreign ministry reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s readiness for close co-operation with the Regional Centre that was called upon to work out and coordinate the effective crisis prevention mechanism.

Those speaking at the forum noted that Central Asia was a region with the abundant resources and serious problems requiring immediate solution including energy and ecological security, interethnic and interconfessional relations, impact of the external factors on regional stability.

The main topics under discussion included human dimension and cross-border problems such as illicit drug trafficking, organized crime, human and weapon traffic. Touching upon Turkmenistan’s important initiatives recognized worldwide the participants mentioned President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s initiative on pipeline security.

Recognizing the global importance of the topics the participants agreed to continue discussion and lead it on the regular basis.