Political and Economic Orientation of Turkmenistan in 21st Century – Part Two

nCa Analysis

Continued from Part One

Ashgabat, 3 November 2007 (nCa) --- The three speeches of GB (Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov) in New York that form the core of this analysis were not an isolated phenomenon. There is a consistent sense of purpose and direction in everything GB has been saying and doing since taking over as president of Turkmenistan.

Relations with Russia, China and the United States

Addressing the Eurasia Group in New York, GB said: “The questions of international security are connected to the region. Despite some rivalries, the international policy [of major powers] is aimed at stability and security in the region. It is important to note that in these far from simple conditions Turkmenistan remains a reliable political and economic partner, clearly understanding the inseparable link between the major investment projects and the questions of regional security.”

This is an important quote because it forms the chassis of the policy statements GB made later in the same speech about Turkmenistan’s relations with Russia, China and the United States.

He said about Russia: “We highly appreciate our relations with Russia and we shall do everything to develop them across the whole spectrum of questions.”

About China, GB said: “We give the same importance to our relations with China.”

When talking about the United States, GB said: “There is no country in the world that doesn’t give importance to its relations with the United States and Turkmenistan is no exception.”

After making this general statement, GB proceeded to install a qualifier, “Concerning the questions of geopolitical character, I would like to note that the American presence in the region is an important factor for stability and perspective economic development.”

At the end of his speech at the Eurasia Group, GB said that the strategic economic cooperation with the USA, especially in the hydrocarbon sector, was also significant politically.

Looking through the wide-angle lens, one can see that Turkmenistan’s relations with Russia and China are governed by one set of priorities and the USA with another.

This becomes clear when one looks at the Declaration issued at the end of the second Caspian Summit in TehranTurkmenistan is a signatory to the declaration. recently.

Except for some articles related to the settlement of the legal status of Caspian, the entire 25-point declaration is aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in the Caspian region, underlining the importance of relationship between peace and economic development and repeated assertions that no external interference, military or otherwise, would be acceptable in the Caspian region.

To be continued . . .