On February 1, 2018, a briefing was held in the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on acquaintance with the main results of the social and economic development of Turkmenistan in 2017, with the results of the Foreign Ministry activities for the past year in the context of the implementation of the Foreign Policy Concept of Neutral Turkmenistan for 2017-2023, and also with the planned for 2018 events.

The briefing was attended by representatives of Embassies and international organizations and foreign media accredited in Turkmenistan.

At the briefing the participants were informed in details about large-scale events held in Turkmenistan in the past year. First and foremost, it is necessary to note the successful holding of the grandiose sports event - the V Asian Games, which have become a vivid example of the huge attention shown to the development of the mass sports and health movement and sport in the country. It was also stressed that, along with the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's membership in the UN, the country marked the 10th anniversary of the opening in the capital of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), the creation of which is a landmark event in the history of bilateral cooperation.

The participants of the briefing were told in detail about the three resolutions adopted in 2017 at the initiative of Turkmenistan, which confirmed that the creative initiatives put forward by the head of the Turkmen state in such an important direction, as well as in other relevant areas, are approved by the world community.

It was also told that on the proposal of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat in mid-November, the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII) was held. As a result of the forum, the Ashgabat Declaration was adopted, which reflected the readiness of the participating states and international organizations to further build a mutually beneficial partnership.

Last year our country presided at the International Energy Charter Conference. The 28th session of this organization in Ashgabat gathered more than 200 delegates from 50 countries, once again confirming its high status as an authoritative discussion platform for discussing the current state and trends of world development, including on global energy issues.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan informed the participants of the briefing, in general, in 2017 our country was visited by the 584 delegations of various levels. At the same time, 624 Turkmen delegations were sent abroad. To date, Turkmenistan has established diplomatic relations with 145 countries around the world. There are 35 diplomatic missions and consulates in Turkmenistan, as well as 15 representative offices of international organizations. 226 bilateral and multilateral international documents were signed. In 2017, Turkmenistan joined the 6 international conventions. Last year, 47 bilateral political consultations, 18 joint intergovernmental commission meetings and 14 bilateral business forums took place.

The attendees were also informed of the activities of national importance planned for the first quarter of 2018.

At the end of the briefing, it was stressed that independent, neutral Turkmenistan will continue to do everything necessary to strengthen peace and security on our planet, to contribute to the development and progress of human civilization.