Official Turkmen Delegation Did Not Participate in OSCE Meeting
On November 8-9, in Vienna, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held a Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting, “Freedom of Assembly and Association.” Turkmenistan did not send its representative to the meeting, despite the fact that Turkmenistan participates in the OSCE. As it turned out, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry submitted an official note to the OSCE leadership last year stating that official Turkmen representatives would only attend OSCE events if Nurmukhammed Hanamov and Farid Tukhbatullin would be denied admission. Tukhbatullin had registered as a participant of the meeting in advance and no other Turkmen NGO attended the meeting.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles
Central Asian Human Rights Organizations Issued Joint Statement
On November 8-9, during the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting, the International Partnership for Human Rights, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, and the Initiative Group of Independent Human Rights Defenders of Uzbekistan, issued a joint statement regarding suppression of dissidents and Internet freedom in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The statement calls upon the OSCE member-states to influence the authorities of these countries, using all existing methods and leverage, to take concrete measures and eliminate infringements upon the Internet freedom in accordance with the recommendations of international human rights organizations and the OSCE Special Representative on Media Freedom.
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles, iphronline.org
Turkmen delegation to hold intergovernmental negotiations in Tokyo
Turkmenistan’s official delegation headed by the Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, is taking part in the Fourth meeting “Central Asia Plus Japan,” which began in Tokyo on November 9, according to Turkmenistan’s Presidential Press Service. Japan has been holding the “Central Asia Plus Japan” negotiations since 2004. At the order of President Berdymukhamedov, Turkmenistan’s Minister of Health and Medical Industry will visit Japan in order to enhance cooperation in the health sector and learn about Japan’s leading hospitals.
Source: trend.az
Azerbaijani and Turkmen Military Officers to Discuss Safety on Caspian
On November 15 – 16, Ashgabat will host a roundtable for military officers from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. According to 1news.az, citing Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry’s press service, the roundtable “Partnership for Securing Safety on the Sea: Prevention of Threats and Exchange of Experience” will focus on military cooperation.
Source: 1news.az
Dutch Delegation Holds Talks with Government of Turkmenistan
A delegation from the Netherlands led by the Dutch Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ronald Keller, visited Ashgabat and met with the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, to discuss priorities for bilateral cooperation.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Ashgabat to host regional forum for Preventive Diplomacy
On December 11, in Ashgabat, the United Nations Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, with the support of Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry, will hold an International Forum, timed for the fifth anniversary of the opening of this institution, an official Turkmen source reported. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon emphasized earlier in his letter to President Berdymukhamedov that he appreciated the work of the UN center in Ashgabat.
Source: trend.az
Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan elected to UN Economic and Social Council
The UN General Assembly has elected Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2013-2015, the UN News Centre reported.
Source: trend.az
CIS Council of FMs to Discuss Cooperation in Ashgabat
In accordance with the action plan for Turkmenistan’s presidency in the CIS in 2012, on December 4, Ashgabat will host a regular CIS Council of Foreign Ministers meeting, an official Turkmen source reported. The CIS Executive Committee reported that the drafts of more than 10 documents aimed at deepening regional cooperation in the humanitarian, security, and other sectors will be discussed at the next meeting of CIS Council of Foreign Ministers.
Source: trend.az
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry Held Roundtable on Climate Change
A Consultative Council on the establishment of a Regional Centre on technologies related to climate change in Central Asia held a roundtable discussion at Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry. The UN Deputy Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan, Cao Lin, and Diego de Velasco, an international consultant on development of a technical proposal for the establishment of a Regional Centre on climate change in Ashgabat, participated in the event. Members of the Mejlis (parliament), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the Academy of Sciences, and other relevant government departments participated in the meeting.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
U.S. Government to Fund the Restoration of Gyz Gala in Ancient Merv
On November 8, the United States Embassy and the Government of Turkmenistan held a joint ceremony to announce a $595,000 grant by the United States Government. Awarded via the U.S Department of State’s Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), the project will focus on the restoration and conservation of the Larger and Lesser Gyz Gala monuments in Ancient Merv, Mary region. The National Administration for Protection, Research, and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments under the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan is the grant recipient and will oversee the restoration.
Source: US Embassy
International Exhibition and Conference on Education, Sport and Tourism Opens in Ashgabat
Ashgabat hosted the International Exhibition and Scientific Conference entitled “Education, Sport and Tourism in the Era of Power and Happiness,” organized by the Ministry of Education, the State Committee for Sports, the State Committee for Tourism, and the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Turkmenistan. Other than Turkmen specialists, the scientific conference is attended by scientists from nearly thirty countries, including the USA, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Romania, Poland, Czech Republic, Turkey, India, Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, and other countries.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
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