Cultural-Political Event Dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Held in Vienna

On October 1, 2025, a cultural-political event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality was held at the Grand Hotel Wien in Vienna. The event was organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Austria with the support of the Turkmen-Austrian Society, and also highlighted the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

The event brought together over 250 attendees including Ambassadors accredited in Austria, Permanent Representatives to the UNOV, OSCE, and other international organisations, as well as representatives from the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, the diplomatic corps, international organisations, Austrian ministries and agencies, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, private sector representatives, Turkmen students and youth, and media outlets.

In his address, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Austria, H.E. Hemra Amannazarov, emphasized Turkmenistan’s ongoing commitment to the principles of neutrality, peace, and cooperation. He reiterated the priority positions voiced by Turkmenistan during the recent session of the UN General Assembly, including its initiatives aimed at promoting peace, trust, sustainable development, and constructive international dialogue.
Ambassador Amannazarov also noted the active bilateral cooperation between Turkmenistan and Austria across political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian dimensions. Referring to the recent meeting between President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President Alexander Van der Bellen in New York on the margins of the 80th UNGA session, he described it as a milestone example of the dynamic partnership between the two countries. Speaking about neutrality, he highlighted that three UN resolutions have reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality status, and informed participants about the upcoming International Forum on Neutrality to be held in December 2025 in Ashgabat, extending an invitation to attend.

H.E. Ambassador Maximilian Hennig, Chief of Protocol of the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, in his remarks, commended the friendship-based bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and Austria, grounded in mutual respect and understanding. He emphasized the important role of neutrality in promoting peace and development, and expressed Austria’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Turkmenistan on the shared foundations of neutral foreign policy.

Head of the Turkmen-Austrian Society, Dr. Neda Berger, underlined the shared principle of neutrality uniting the two countries — noting that while Turkmenistan will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its neutrality in December, Austria marks the 70th anniversary of its neutrality this October.

The evening concluded with a musical program performed by Turkmen artists, an exhibition of traditional applied arts, and a presentation of Turkmen national cuisine, creating an atmosphere of friendship, culture, and mutual appreciation.