OREANDA-NEWS. February 19, 2009. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a sitting with the Turkmen diplomatic officials. During the sitting the Turkmen leader made the keynote speech specifying the approaches to realizing Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy to meet the national priorities and global processes.

Greeting those present the President congratulated them cordially on National Flag Day. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the sitting focused on the important issues concerning the further policy of international cooperation and implementation of Turkmenistan’s international initiatives which required careful consideration.

Noting that Turkmenistan compelled attention of the world community today the President said that this attention was conditioned by the dynamic international activity and constructive initiatives put forward by the Turkmen state and aimed at tackling the urgent problems of the modern world. That was vividly illustrated by the opening of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia in Ashgabat.

An important step to build the effective international legal framework in energy sector and to achieve global energy security was the UN Resolution on the reliable and Stable Transit of Energy and Its Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development and International Cooperation unanimously approved by the members of the global forum. That this initiative had been put forward by Turkmenistan was a well-deserved achievement of our foreign policy.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Ashgabat would host the international conference focused on security of transnational pipelines and energy, transport and communication infrastructure and instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to ensure the high level of organization of the forum.

Addressing the sitting the Turkmen leader thoroughly interpreted the notion of global security as an integral phenomenon including such dimensions as politico-military, economic, social, environmental energy, food, water, etc.

Substantiating the tasks evolving from such an integral approach to achieving security Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov imposed the special responsibility on Turkmen diplomats who should build their work in compliance with the modern factors actively upholding the national interests of the Turkmen state and thus contributing to further enhancement of the prestige of the Motherland.

The President said that the diplomatic officials should track and thoroughly analyze the trends in global development, the political, economic, social processes across the world as well as in a particular state that our country maintained the relations with. The Turkmen leader said that the work of the international departments of the ministries and departments should be effectively coordinated, the affiliated special departments responsible for analyzing the current situation and predicting global problems, studying the best international practice in various fields, drafting the adequate, well-reasoned proposals on further cooperation between Turkmenistan and other states and regions, international organisations and business communities across the world should be established.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan always stood ready for positive partnership noting that the priorities of its foreign policy strategy was enhancing the relations with the neighbouring countries that was conditioned by the long-term economic ties as well as common historical and cultural traditions. Turkmenistan intended developing the fruitful contacts with the countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific region, Far and Middle East, Africa, North and South Americas.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that collaboration with the international organisations, in particular the United Nations, should be intensified. In this regard the Turkmen leader said that the scope of the UN’s activities and representation in Turkmenistan should be substantially expanded as well as Turkmenistan should be widely represented in the agencies of this authoritative international organisation and gave instructions to the high-ranking officials to draft the relevant proposals.

Then the Turkmen diplomats congratulated the Turkmen leader on National Flag Day and sincerely thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the active support and assistance in performing the noble and very important mission – to represent the country abroad, to uphold its interests on the world arena.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov noted that today when Turkmenistan’s prestige had been brought up to a higher level, when the country actively contribute to the global efforts to tackle modern challenges its plenipotentiary representatives stood on the front line of the policy of friendship, good neighbourliness and wide cooperation. Focusing on the significance of the conclusions made during the sitting and the new tasks set by the Turkmen leader Minister R. Meredov assured the President that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Turkmen diplomatic officials being fully aware of their responsibility to the Motherland would faithfully serve the Fatherland and people.

Then A. Ataeva, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Organization reported on collaboration between this large international organisation and Turkmenistan – its strategic partner in the Central Asian region. In this regard emphasis was put on the topicality and timeliness of the Turkmen leader’s initiative to expand effective collaboration with the United Nations that met the interests of the countries in one of the most strategic regions as well as global community.

K. Agakhanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Russian Federation reported on the progress of the Turkmen-Russian relationships. It was emphasized that during the past two years a new incentive was offered to these relations based on the historical kinship and closeness of the views on the key issues of international policy.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highly appreciated the contribution that the Turkmen diplomats had made to Turkmenistan’s achievements and enhancing its prestige on the world arena. Then the President awarded Altyn Asyr Order to the most notable diplomats.

On behalf of the Turkmen diplomats A. Gundogdyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Belarus expressed profound gratitude to the Turkmen leader for the high appreciation of their work.

The President issued the Decree appointing T. Komekov Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Chairperson of the State Enterprise for the Caspian Sea under President of Turkmenistan

Congratulating those present on the national holiday Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished them new accomplishments in further implementing Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy aimed at strengthening the ties of friendship and good neighbourliness with all countries and peoples worldwide. The President invited all those present to attend the ceremony of putting the apartment house built for Turkmen diplomatic officials into operation.

The vice premiers, high-ranking officials of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies, velayat khyakims cordially congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on Flag Day and wished the national leader good health, inexhaustible energy, new bright accomplishments in all deeds and undertakings for the benefit and happiness of the Motherland. The high-ranking officials of the national ministries and departments expressed the heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the President and presented the wonderful bouquets of flowers.