On the sidelines of his visit to the Republic of Austria, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, gave an interview to Turkmen media outlets. The discussions focused on regional stability, the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and the impermissibility of escalating conflicts within the Caspian basin.
Key statements by the National Leader are summarized below:
1. Categorical Rejection of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
Turkmenistan expresses deep concern over rising tensions in the Middle East. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that Turkmenistan stands categorically for the ban of weapons of mass destruction.
The National Leader particularly noted that the use of such weapons “is a matter requiring the highest level of responsibility. Underestimating it, treating it superficially or thoughtlessly is an extremely dangerous situation that must not be allowed.”
2. Impermissibility of Military Actions in the Caspian
Commenting on reports of strikes affecting territories in the Caspian region, the National Leader condemned the escalation, stating that “Turkmenistan is concerned by military strikes on the territory of a neighboring Caspian state.” Military actions in the Caspian region were described as “absolutely unacceptable.”
3. Support for the Joint Statement of Caspian States
“After careful consideration of the recently proposed draft Joint Statement of the Caspian States, Turkmenistan will make a decision on its support,” Berdimuhamedov announced.
The draft states that the spillover of the Middle East armed conflict into the Caspian region would signify a rise in escalation and poses a direct threat to regional security.
The full text of the interview, published by the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), is available below.
Interview with the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with Turkmen Media Representatives during his visit to the Republic of Austria
Question: As is well known, the situation in the Middle East—a region neighboring Turkmenistan—remains extremely complex. Furthermore, the possibility of increased tension, potentially involving weapons of mass destruction, cannot be ruled out. What could be the consequences of such a situation?
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: The development of the current situation causes serious concern in Turkmenistan. Our concern is fully justified, as the vast Middle East region is geographically adjacent to Turkmenistan. In this context, the events taking place there may have a negative impact on neighboring countries and the entire region as a whole.
Turkmenistan is a neutral state. Our position is based on the resolution of conflicts and disputes exclusively through peaceful, political and diplomatic means. This is a fundamental view that has never changed and will not change.
At the same time, over the past three decades Turkmenistan has actively participated in multilateral efforts aimed at reducing military activity and excluding the use of force as a tool of foreign policy.
This applies first and foremost to weapons of mass destruction. I want to state openly that Turkmenistan categorically stands for the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction.
Our country is a party to most major international legal instruments on arms control, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
In addition, Turkmenistan is one of the active participants in the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia. For us, this legal status is not merely a political or military-technical category, but above all a matter of morality, humanism, and a sense of responsibility toward the present and future generations.
As a doctor who has devoted decades of public service to protecting the health and lives of current and future generations, I must emphasize that the use of weapons of mass destruction would lead to irreparable negative consequences. I know that if used, it would have the most severe impact on the population, the environment, and all aspects of socio-economic development in large regions. This is an issue that requires the deepest and highest level of responsibility. Underestimating it or treating it superficially and recklessly is an extremely dangerous situation that must not be permitted.
Question: It has become known that during the current Middle East conflict, military strikes were also carried out on territories in the Caspian region. What is your position, and Turkmenistan’s position as a whole, on this situation?
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: It should be understood that for more than thirty years Turkmenistan, together with the Caspian littoral states — Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Russia — has consistently and with sincere intentions been building Caspian cooperation. Over these years, we have coordinated our actions and jointly achieved success in various areas of partnership.
As a result, in 2018 all the coastal countries signed the fundamental document — the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea. The Convention clearly states that the Caspian Sea is a zone of peace, harmony, and good-neighborliness, and that the deployment of armed forces or any military activity by non-littoral states is prohibited here. This provision is a fundamental factor of regional security.
Therefore, it is quite natural that Turkmenistan is concerned about military strikes on the territory of a neighboring Caspian state. Our country fully rejects such actions. Military activity in the Caspian region is absolutely unacceptable.
In this regard, after careful consideration of the recently proposed draft Joint Statement by the Caspian littoral states, Turkmenistan will decide on its support.
The document notes that the spread of the armed conflict from the Middle East to the Caspian region would mean further escalation and poses a threat to regional security.
This document reflects our principled views and our position on the inadmissibility of expanding the scale of the conflict. ///nCa, 12 April 2026