During his visit to the Republic of Austria, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, gave an interview to representatives of the Turkmen media. This was reported by TDH.

During the conversation, the situation in the Middle East and the possible consequences of an escalation, including the risk of the use of weapons of mass destruction, were discussed. Hero Arkadag noted that Turkmenistan is concerned about developments in the region, given its geographical proximity and the potential impact on neighbouring countries.

He emphasised that the country’s foreign policy is based on the status of permanent neutrality and advocates the resolution of conflicts exclusively through peaceful, political and diplomatic means. According to him, Turkmenistan has for decades participated in international efforts to reduce military tensions and opposes the use of force as a political tool.

Turkmenistan’s position on weapons of mass destruction was highlighted separately. Hero Arkadag declared his categorical rejection of their use and recalled the country’s participation in key international treaties in the field of arms control, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Commitment to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone was also emphasised.

According to him, the consequences of using such weapons are far-reaching and long-term, affecting the population, the environment and the socio-economic development of the regions.

In the second part of the interview, Hero Arkadag commented on reports of strikes on territories in the Caspian region against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict. He noted that the Caspian states have been developing cooperation and building a regional security system for over three decades.

It was recalled that in 2018, the Caspian states signed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, establishing it as a zone of peace, good-neighbourliness and security. The document stipulates that military activity by third states is inadmissible. Hero Arkadag stated that Turkmenistan considers any military action in the Caspian region unacceptable and expresses concern regarding such incidents.

It was also noted that the country is considering a draft joint statement by the Caspian states, which highlights the risk of further escalation and threats to regional stability should the conflict widen.