OREANDA-NEWS. December 15, 2008. The UN observation mission who had arrived in Turkmenistan to monitor the elections to the Mejlis of the fourth convocation had a meeting at the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Turkmenistan. The delegation is led by Viktor Polyakov, Head of the Group for Central Asia of the UN Office for Asia and the Pacific. Inita Paulovica, UNDP Deputy Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan and the international consultants of the Project Cooperation on Enhancing Electoral System and Processes in Turkmenistan implemented in collaboration of the UN Development Programme attended the meeting at the Central Commission.

Focusing on the aim of the visit the guests noted that the United Nations highly appreciated co-operation with Turkmenistan and welcomed the intention of the Turkmen Government to invite the observers and experts from the European countries and the authoritative international organisations in particular to monitor the parliamentary elections in the country. Head of the UN observation mission V. Polyakov said that this step testified to Turkmenistan’s openness and adherence to the policy of progressive reforms and the constructive dialogue with the global community.

Greeting and wishing successful work to the experts of the UN observation mission Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda M. Karryev emphasized that the current elections to the Mejlis – the number one event in the political life of the Turkmen society. In this context the major aspects of the reforms initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to further democratization of the Turkmen society were presented to the guests.

Presenting the accreditation certificates to the members of the UN observation mission the Chairman of the Central Commission noted that neutral Turkmenistan attached special significance to partnership with the United Nations intensified by the partners in recent years. That was vividly illustrated by opening the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia in the Turkmen capital.

Thanking for the heartfelt welcome the guests called for furthering fruitful co-operation and focused on the significance of the elections to the Mejlis as another evidence of Turkmenistan’s adherence to the highest democratic values.

The UN observers will monitor the electoral process in the regions and visit the district electoral committees and polling stations.