OREANDA-NEWS. May 8, 2009. The celebrations to mark the 15th anniversary of the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Turkmenistan were held in Ashgabat. On this remarkable occasion the representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, national ministries and departments, diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, international and public organisations gathered at Parahat Cultural Centre.

USAID was established in 1961 and it not works in over 100 countries around the world. Different organisations including the UN agencies, public associations and commercial companies are teamed up with USAID to implement the programmes. In Turkmenistan the U.S. Agency works under the bilateral agreement on cooperation. Long-term fruitful partnership includes a number of the joint projects in economic development, education, health care, legislative and social sectors. Today this constructive cooperative work has been fostered working for enhancement of the traditionally friendly Turkmen-American relations.

In his opening remarks, U.S. Charge d’Affaires Richard Miles highly appreciated the dynamic and fruitful character of partnership between the Government of Turkmenistan and USAID that had every requisite to develop further. The groundwork was the profound experience of cooperative work and the perspectives that expanded the constructive dialogue launched by the large-scale reforms going on in the society and state.

In the framework of the anniversary celebrations the guests could view the presentations of the results and achievements of bilateral cooperation and an exhibition of the USAID projects in the country.