The activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan are regulated by the legislative acts of Turkmenistan: by laws “On Diplomatic Service,” “On the Status of Diplomatic Missions of Turkmenistan Abroad”, “On Diplomatic Ranks,” “On Consular Offices of Turkmenistan”, “On the State Protocol”, “On the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan”, “On international treaties of Turkmenistan”, “On Diplomatic Representations of Foreign States in Turkmenistan”, Conception of the Foreign Policy Course of Turkmenistan.
In 2022, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov approved the “Conception of the Foreign Policy Course of Turkmenistan for the period of 2022 – 2028”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan consists of 3 departments, 19 units and 5 representative offices of the Ministry in velayats (provinces).
The tasks, functions and order of activities of structural subdivisions of the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan are determined by the relevant provisions. The structure and number of employees of the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, as well as of the diplomatic representations and consular offices of Turkmenistan abroad, are approved by the President of Turkmenistan.
In accordance with the law “On Diplomatic Service of Turkmenistan” – “Diplomatic service is a type of state service associated with the execution of powers to implement the foreign policy of Turkmenistan, representation and protection of rights and legitimate interests of Turkmenistan in international relations”.
legal basis of the diplomatic service is the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the Law on the Diplomatic Service of Turkmenistan, other normative legal acts of Turkmenistan, international treaties of Turkmenistan, as well as generally recognized principles and norms of international law.
The system of diplomatic service includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, diplomatic representations and consular offices of Turkmenistan abroad, missions of Turkmenistan to international organizations, representative offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on the territory of Turkmenistan, also institutions and organizations, educational institutions established to ensure the implementation of the foreign policy course of Turkmenistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan is a central executive body that implements foreign policy activities and regulates the system of diplomatic service of Turkmenistan. The organization of activities of bodies and institutions that are part of the diplomatic service system is carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
At present, Turkmenistan has established diplomatic relations with 151 states of the world. There are 41 diplomatic missions and consular offices of Turkmenistan abroad. There are 30 embassies, 4 consulates, 2 diplomatic representations of foreign countries and 14 representations of international organizations accredited in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan is a party to 177 international conventions and treaties.
The priorities of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy are to maximize the promotion of overall peace, stability and security, consistent implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, consolidation of neighborly relations and cooperation in the region and beyond, creation of favorable conditions for the implementation of disarmament, settlement of the existing conflicts and contradictions by peaceful political means, and ensuring energy security.
Turkmenistan consistently strengthens traditionally friendly and mutually beneficial relations with neighboring states, especially with the Central Asian and Caspian Basin countries. At the same time, close cooperation with the states of the Middle and Near East, Asia and Pacific Ocean region is developing. The main course of the foreign policy of Turkmenistan is multilateral partnership with the countries of the European and American continents. In recent years, upon the instructions of the head of state, activities have been undertaken to expand fruitful dialogue with the African countries.
The relevant measures are undertaken on further development of cooperation with respected international organizations and structures. Turkmenistan is a member of 50 international organizations, such as the United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Non-Alignment Movement and others.
As one of the main elements of its foreign policy, Turkmenistan considers its active involvement in the work of the UN, aimed at ensuring human progress and development, increasing living standards and well-being of people, creating favorable conditions for the global economic and social development, maximizing fulfillment of creative capabilities of an individual and promotion of the human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Within a short period of time, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolutions on the role of Turkmenistan’s neutral policy, energy security, the role of transport and transit corridors, which is a vivid example of our country’s fruitful cooperation with this organization for peace and sustainable development at the global level.
It is upon the initiative of Turkmenistan that the United Nations General Assembly announced the 12th of December as the International Neutrality Day and the 3rd of June as the World Bicycle Day.
Active participation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is one of the key areas of Turkmenistan’s activity within the framework of the United Nations.
Collaboration with respected international organizations is pursued on a systemic manner, as demonstrated by the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework between the Government of Turkmenistan and the United Nations for 2021-2025, UNICEF Country Programme for 2021 - 2025 and a number of other documents. All of them are aimed at the implementation of concrete joint projects on socio-economic, energy, environmental, legal and other spheres.
On the 18th of February, the Day of Diplomatic Workers of Turkmenistan is celebrated in Turkmenistan.
