OREANDA-NEWS. January 12, 2010. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to review the priority issues of the national policy.

Presenting the agenda the Turkmen leader noted that the meeting would focus on the work done in the period and the forthcoming important events.

Then the floor was given to the participants of the meeting, who heartily congratulated the Turkmen leader on launching the Dovletabat-Sarahs-Hangeran gas pipeline, underscoring the considerable significance of this historic event for further development of Turkmen-Iranian relations as well as the implementation of Turkmenistan’s energy policy aimed to intensifying mutually advantageous constructive cooperation with all interested parties.

Speaker of the Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva reported on the activities of the national Parliament aimed at implementing the complex programme of building the legal framework in the country and the work done by the deputies a local level.

Commenting on the report the President underscored the importance of further modernization of the national legislation in compliance with the national development priorities at the current stage as well as the universally recognized norms of international law. Focusing on the role of the deputies of the Mejlis in the social and political life of the state the President said that the members of the Parliament must be well informed of the things taking place in their constituents and keep in touch with local people and self-government bodies.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported on the work carried on by the foreign ministry to implement Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy initiated by the national leader and the outcomes of the IRI President’s official visit to Ashgabat. It was noted that the Ashgabat summit that was of keen media interest in Turkmenistan and abroad had brought the traditionally friendly Turkmen-Iranian relations at a qualitatively new level meeting mutual interest. This was evidenced by the bilateral documents signed upon concluding the top level talks and the ceremony of launching the Dovletabat-Sarahs-Hangeran gas pipeline – a truly historic event that had marked the successful beginning of the new 2010 year.

Evaluating highly the effectiveness of the Turkmen-Iranian top level talks and meetings that had become quite regular in recent years, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the implementation of the new joint project that was of paramount importance to the entire region had opened a new chapter of the traditionally friendly Turkmen-Iranian dialogue. The President said that cooperation with Iran as well as with all other states of the world, and especially with the neighbouring countries, was a strategic vector of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy doctrine.

Vice Premier H. Muhammedov reported on the work done in the sectors under his supervision, in particular textile industry and trade sector and the preparations for a regular meeting of the joint Turkmen-Uzbek commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical and cultural cooperation.

Noting that the abovementioned sectors played an important role in Turkmen economy and focusing on the need to fully use their potential, the Turkmen leader underscored the importance of developing mutually advantageous foreign economic relations particularly with the closest neighbours including friendly Uzbekistan.

Vice Premier B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the current situation in the fuel and energy sector and the ceremony of launching the Dowletabat-Sarakhs-Hangeran pipeline.

Focusing on the particular importance of this gas project for successfully implementing Turkmenistan’s energy strategy Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the second pipeline put into operation towards Iran would expand mutually advantageous economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iran as well as become an essential factor in ensuring stable and reliable transit of energy at the regional level.

Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the work done to implement the cultural and media policies.

Focusing on the important role of these spheres in reviving the age-old traditional spiritual traditions of the Turkmen people and enhancing the cultural and intellectual potential of the nation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demanded that the cultural centres opened throughout the country be actively involved in this work. In this regard the President touched upon the preparations for the ceremony of opening of the building of the State Circus of Turkmenistan after reconstruction. The programme of the ceremony should present the best traditions of the national circus arts, an essential part of which were the bright performances of Turkmen horsemen – the unsurpassed masters of horse riding.

Vice Premier N. Shagulyev reported on the work done to develop the transport and communications sectors.

Focusing on the need to further modernize and extend transport infrastructure, development of information and communication technologies that played a crucial role in sustainable development of the country, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the Government would further pay close attention to these sectors and keep them under strict control.

Vice Premier D. Orazov reported on the work done to modernize and develop further the construction and power industries sectors. The Vice Premier reported on the progress in implementing the construction projects, the completion of which was timed to National Flag Day.

Commenting on the report the President reiterated that the construction work carried on throughout the country should comply with the high quality standards and according to schedule. These requirements remained the major ones set in Turkmenistan to all building owners and contractors, the President said.

Vice Premier H. Saparlyev reported on the work done in the sectors under his supervisions – education, science, health care, sport and tourism and the preparations for the Memory Day activities that would be arranged on January 12.

Focusing on the need to further improve the scientific and educational sectors, the President underscored the particular importance of creating the technology towns consisting of the research organisations, industrial facilities, business centres, exhibition grounds, etc. in the country that would encourage development of science, ensure its close interrelation with industry, promote the development and wide application of innovative technologies in various industries.

Focusing on the Memory Day ceremonies, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demanded that the high level of organisation of all activities marking the sacred date for the Turkmen people be ensured.

Ahal Velayat Khyakim D. Myratberdyev reported on the progress in implanting the President’s programme on the improvement of the living and social conditions in rural areas. Reporting on the work done in the agricultural sector the Khyakim expressed sincere gratitude to the Turkmen leader for his unceasing concern for rural workers and purchasing state-of-the-art agricultural machines and equipment to meet their needs. It was noted that the accounts for raw cotton grown by agricultural workers had been settled on the eve of New Year celebrations.

Stating that the Government would further pay primary attention to creating the favourable conditions for agricultural workers and improving their welfare the President instructed the Ahal Velayat Khyakim to ensure the high level of organisation of the Memory Day ceremonies when the Turkmen people paid tribute to the valiant defenders of the Geokdepe fortress – the true patriots of the native land.

Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the progress in the seasonal agricultural campaigns. In particular, the Vice Premier reported that agricultural workers were completing to till agricultural lands for the spring sowing campaign and the farming standards were met when growing winter crops.

Commenting on the report, the President underscored the need to pay close attention to improving the conditions of lands and improving farming practices as the important aspects of the ongoing agricultural reform in Turkmenistan.

Vice Premier T. Japarov reported on the results of the visit of President of the Islamic Development Bank Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Madani to Turkmenistan. It was noted that the increased dynamics of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the IDB was evidenced by the new bilateral agreements and documents fostering collaboration on large-scale investment projects such as construction of the North-South transnational trunk railway.

The President emphasized that the key aspects of Turkmenistan’s economic policy included creating the favourable investment climate, enhancing cooperation with the authoritative international financial institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the implementation of such large-scale projects in collaboration with foreign partners contributed directly to attracting the best international practices, advanced technologies and innovations in our country that modern Turkmenistan relied on.

Summarizing the results of the work done during the first days of the new 2010 year, the Turkmen leader focused on the recent visit of the governmental delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran led by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Turkmenistan. Evaluating highly the Ashgabat top level talks that had resulted in signing the important bilateral documents, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that this visit would promote enhancing mutually advantageous cooperation between the two friendly countries, expanding trade and economic ties and foster constructive partnership in both bilateral and multilateral format.

Noting that during the talks the sides had discussed the priority aspects of cooperation and had adopted the important decisions, in particular to accelerate construction of the North-South railway and its section running across the territory of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put special emphasis on launching the Dovletabat-Sarakhs-Hangeran pipeline. The Turkmen leader noted that this gas transport artery that was of paramount importance for the two neighboring countries became a new line in the existing pipeline network that exported Turkmen natural gas.

Focusing on key aspects of the national energy policy with diversification of Turkmen gas export routes to world market as an important factor, the President noted that this policy vividly illustrated Turkmenistan’s active contribution to global efforts to ensure stability and energy security in the region. Most importantly, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, we were implementing the programmes aimed at efficiently using our abundant natural resources that we intended to place at the service of the people and use to improve the welfare of the Turkmen people.

Emphasizing once more that diversification of energy exports and achievement of energy security were the essential conditions and the reliable basis for developing long-term interregional cooperation particularly with the fraternal neighbouring countries, the President congratulated the participants on the remarkable event – launching the Dovletabat-Sarakhs-Hangeran pipeline.

In conclusion the President expressed belief that the fuel and energy sector would further work to ensure Turkmen ‘blue fuel’ exports to world markets through diversifying energy transit and wished good health and every success to those present.