OREANDA-NEWS. May 24, 2010. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the priority issues of the national policy. The high-ranking officials of the ministries and departments, the heads of the public organisations of the Galkynys National Movement and the rectors of the higher educational institutions were invited to the meeting.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported in detail on the preparations for the visit of the Turkmen government delegation led by the President to the Republic of India, which was scheduled for May 24-25. It was noted that the talks between the leader of the Turkmen state and the leadership of the Republic of India were expect to result in signing the bilateral documents that would lay the firm foundation for expanding and enhancing traditional long-term cooperation in a number of priority fields upon concluding

Underscoring the exceptional importance of the coming Turkmen-Indian top-level talks the outcomes of which would have a profound impact on the further course of the intergovernmental dialogue, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the development of full-scale collaboration with India as one of the dynamically developing countries of the world was a key priority of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy aimed at establishing wide mutually advantageous cooperation will all interested partners.

Focusing on the need to implement to the full extent the profound potential of bilateral cooperation based on the firm foundation of age-old friendship and common traditions of the Turkmen and Indian peoples, the Turkmen leader focused on the role of further intensification of Turkmen-Indian relations in the political, economic and humanitarian spheres as well as accelerated implementation of important joint projects for the benefit of the two countries and the region in whole.

Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the preparations for the Days of Culture of Turkmenistan in Moscow and St. Petersburg of the Russian Federation, which would be held on May 23-30.

Focusing on the significance of the forthcoming action aimed at enhancing the international prestige of the country, fostering full-scale cooperation with friendly Russia, the Turkmen leader demanded that the high level of organisation of the cultural events in the forum programme be ensured.

Vice Premier H. Saparlyev reported on the preparations for III International Children’s Art Festival “Avaza – the Land of Friendship”, which would be held on the Caspian seashore form May 28 to June 2, and the ceremonies of opening children’s health improvement centres in Geokdere and Avaza.

Focusing on the importance of the international children’s forum and the opening of new recreation centres, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the aspects of bringing up the younger generation. Addressing the high-ranking officials of the educational departments, the heads of the public organisations of the Galkynys National Movement and the rectors of the higher schools, the President demanded that they carry out the well-coordinate and effective work on physical, spiritual and moral education of youth, promote a healthy lifestyle and combat such a dangerous evil as drug abuse. The Turkmen leader emphasized that from early childhood children should be brought up to love the Motherland, respect work, practice sport and feel responsibility.

The President said that in a few weeks thousands of graduating students throughout the country would leave their alma-maters and receive diplomas. In this regard the Turkmen leader instructed each higher educational institution in the country to draft and submit the design of an insignia, which would be presented to graduating students together with diplomas, for endorsement. Instructing Vice Premier T. Japarov to allocate financial assets to manufacture insignias, the President said that they should be presented to graduate students of the previous years so that they could wear them during the festivities arranged throughout the country.

During the meeting the President congratulated newly appointed Chairman of the Central Council of the War Veterans’ Organisation of Turkmenistan G. Nepesov and wished him every success in this important and noble work. The Turkmen leader said that the Government would continue to provide assistance to veterans of the Great Patriotic War.

Vice Premier N. Shagulyev reported on the work done in the sectors under his supervision. In particular, the Vice Premier reported on the measures taken to further improve the activity of transport and telecommunications enterprises.

Demanding that strict control be kept of the quality of services rendered to the population, the President said that these issues acquired particular importance in the summer season. The President said that the heads of the sectoral departments should take necessary measures to ensure high-quality and well-coordinated work of all modes of transport – motor, railway and air transport.

Vice Premier T. Japarov reported on the outcomes of the meetings between the Islamic Development Bank and the Government of Turkmenistan. The Vice Premier noted that in the past years Turkmenistan actively cooperated with the authoritative international financial organisations including the IDB. The agreements and bilateral documents on the financing of the important investment projects implemented in our country illustrated intensified partnership with this organisation.

The Turkmen leader said that the development of mutually advantageous partnership with the leading international financial structures was a key vector of the foreign economic policy of the Turkmen state. Noting that the implementation of large-scale projects in collaboration with foreign partners was aimed at actively applying advanced technologies and high-tech innovations in various sectors of the national economy, the Turkmen leader demanded that the work to attract further foreign investments in the country be continued.

Vice Premier B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the work done in the sectors under his supervision. In particular, the Vice Premier reported on the progress in implementing the projects aimed at developing further the fuel and energy sector and construction of children’s health improvement centre in Geokdere and Avaza.

Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the projects launched in the investment and social sectors were the components of the 2011-2030 National Social and Economic Development Programme of Turkmenistan that had been unanimously approved by the participants of the Elders’ Council meeting. The Turkmen leader said that large-scale work should be launched today to promote the economic growth of the country.

The Turkmen leader said that dozens of new factories and plants, gas-turbine power stations and other large-scale industrial facilities would be built in accordance with the long-term programme. Many infrastructure facilities were under construction in the Avaza national tourism zone.

To ensure the effective operation of new industrial facilities and meet the growing electric power needs of Turkmenistan, in particular Balkan Velayat, an additional substantial amount of natural gas would be required. ‘Blue fuel’ was required to successfully implement the energy development programme that provided for increasing energy exports. In this regard the President instructed Vice Premier B. Hojamuhammedov to launch the construction of the East-West gas pipeline on own expense. During the meeting the President signed the Resolution on construction of the gas pipeline.

Focusing on the paramount importance of this large-scale investment project, the Turkmen leader said that the new gas pipeline would connect the gas-rich eastern region of the country with the dynamically developing central and maritime regions of Turkmenistan. In this regard President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the East-West gas artery would enable to meet the needs of almost all factories, plants and other facilities in the territory of our country in ‘blue fuel’.

Vice Premier H. Muhammedov reported on the preparations for the Turkmen Carpet Day traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday of May. The Vice Premier reported that the programme of festivities included the International Exhibition “Turkmen Carpet – the Melody of Our Souls” and X International Conference of the World Society of Connoisseurs of Turkmen Carpets that would bring together experts in Turkmen handmade carpet making from all over the world.

Noting that world-renowned Turkmen carpets were the national pride and invaluable heritage of the Turkmen nation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the significance of the coming forum and exhibition. In this regard the President demanded that the relevant high-ranking officials ensure the high level of organisation of the festivities.

Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the progress of seasonal agricultural work. The Vice Premier reported that total of 1,800 Case and John Deere combine harvesters would be engaged in the harvest campaign, 6,300 trucks would deliver grain to the receiving points, granaries and grain elevators. Each of 149 receiving points had the laboratories where the specialists of the Turkmenstandartlary State Service would test the quality of grain. New grain elevators that would store this year’s wheat harvest would be put into operation in the near future.

Commenting on the report the President blessed the start of the harvest campaign and noted that in each velayat this important agricultural campaign should be started by the elders esteemed highly by the people. The national leader emphasized that this year's harvest grown by diligent Turkmen grain growers should be reaped without losses. Therefore, the measure should be taken to create the conditions conducive to farmers’ fruitful work and effective operation of agricultural machines and equipment, to carry out the harvest campaign in a timely manner and ensure the high level of organization of transportation and storage of grain. The decisions adopted at the Elders’ Council meeting, in particular the Law of Turkmenistan “On Seed Growing”, played a special role in developing the agro-industry sector in the country. In this regard the Turkmen leader said that the task to elucidate and implement these decisions and the relevant legislative act was set to the agro-industrial divisions and the Mejlis that were to ensure fruitful joint work in this field.

Vice Premier D. Orazov reported on the progress of construction of important facilities throughout the country, including housing and social facilities in Ahal Velayat and the health improvement centre in the Yylysuv in Baharly Etrap in particular.

The President said that construction of these facilities was a key priority of the large-scale programme of reforms launched throughout the country and emphasized that the high demands should be set to the quality of these projects like those set to industrial enterprises.

Focusing on the large scale of construction of social and economic facilities launched throughout Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the need to choose effectively the places of construction sites. The Turkmen leader demanded that the relevant high-ranking officials adhere to the state approach to preserving agricultural and arable lands that had been cultivated by Turkmen farmers from times immemorial.

Prosecutor General Ch. Hojamyradov reported on the results of the inspection carried out on the construction sites in the velayats and Ashgabat. In particular, the Prosecutor General reported on the facts when the construction work was behind schedule stipulated by the contracts.

Focusing on the inadmissibility of such facts, the President demanded that the high-ranking officials of the ministries and departments that acted as building owners analyze the current situation and take the measures to eliminate the shortfall revealed and put buildings and facilities into operation according to schedule. The President instructed Vice Premier D. Orazov, Prosecutor General Ch. Hojamyradov and Chairman of the Supreme Chamber of Inspection G. Saparlyev to take strict control of these activities and report back at one of the meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Chairperson of the Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva reported on the activity done by the Mejlis to update the national legislation and elucidate the essence and significance of new legal acts to the population. It was noted that the deputies carried on the activities in all constituencies to elucidate the important decisions and documents adopted at the Elders Council meeting, which had been recently held in Dashoguz.

Focusing on the results of the nationwide forum that had considered and unanimously adopted the 2011-2030 National Social and Economic Development Programme of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen leader underscored the need to achieve the goals set forth in this strategic programme. In this regard the President instructed the Vice Premier, in particular T. Japarov, and Chairperson of the Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva to immediately start to draft the 2011 State Budget in compliance with the goals set forth in the aforesaid programme. The President said that the potential of each ministry and sectoral department should be evaluated in order to draft this important financial document in a proper and timely manner and noted that the interagency commission could be formed, if required.

Instructing Vice Premier T. Japarov in collaboration with the relevant high-ranking officials keep rigorous control of implementation of the 2011-2030 National Social and Economic Development Programme of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen leader expressed belief that this important programme aimed at guaranteeing the wellbeing to citizens of Turkmenistan and laying the firm foundation of the prosperity of the Motherland for many years to come would be successfully implemented ahead of schedule.

Upon concluding the meeting the President wished good health and every success in their important work to those present.