On 10 December, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with the Head of the Turkmen-Austrian Friendship Group Neda Berger, who arrived in Ashgabat on a visit ahead of International Neutrality Day. This was reported by AsmanNews.

Neda Berger expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet and congratulated Turkmenistan on the 30th anniversary of its permanent Neutrality, noting the high relevance of the peacekeeping initiatives that the country is promoting on the global arena.

Hero Arkadag emphasised that Turkmenistan consistently implements a foreign policy based on its UN-recognised status of permanent neutrality, which serves as an instrument for strengthening trust, peace and international cooperation. The National Leader of the Turkmen people expressed confidence that Neda Berger's visit and her participation in the celebrations would provide an additional stimulus for the development of Turkmen-Austrian dialogue.

During the negotiations, the parties noted the importance of expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation. It was emphasised that Turkmenistan and Austria actively cooperate in the fields of culture, art and scientific exchanges, and that joint projects strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to the work of the Turkmen-Austrian Friendship Group, which, according to the parties, is an effective mechanism for humanitarian diplomacy.

At the end of the meeting, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his gratitude to Neda Berger for her work and wished her further success in strengthening the partnership between Turkmenistan and Austria.