EXTENDED SESSION OF THE CABINET OF MINISTERS OF TURKMENISTAN

On December 11, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has held extended celebration session of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the matters of foreign policy of independent Motherland in the Ruhiyet Palace of the capital. Members of the State Security Council, heads of Ashgabat and regional administrations, ambassadors of Turkmenistan accredited in foreign states have been invited to take part in the session.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Secretary of the State Security Council, Chairman of the Commission for development of proposals on citizenship and pardoning under the President of Turkmenistan Ch. Amanov has presented the Draft Order on pardoning of convicted persons in honor of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

Having listened to the report, the Leader of the Nation signed the presented document, according to which 2,078 convicted Turkmen and 4 foreign citizens have been pardoned on the threshold of glorious 25th anniversary of permanent neutrality of the Motherland.

Addressing Vice-premier, Secretary of the State Security Council CH. Amanov and heads of military and law enforcement agencies, the Head of the State gave instruction to take relative measures in order all pardoned people were released from the prison and return to their families. In this regard, the Head of the State has ordered the heads of the regions, districts and cities and other officials to take measures for employment of pardoned citizens.

Continuing, Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that the agenda of the session includes matters of international cooperation, evaluation of the outcomes of the year and definition of priority objectives for the coming period.

This year, our country has been elected as a vice-chairman of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly as well as has started working as a member of the UN Population Commission and the Executive Committee of the World Food Program. Turkmenistan has also been selected to number of important structures of the United Nations, in particular to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, social development and narcotic drugs.

The Foreign Ministry has been assigned to enforce works with the United Nations and to enforce the Embassies of Turkmenistan in New York, Geneva and Vienna with experienced personnel.

By the initiative of Turkmenistan, 2021 was announced as the Year of Peace and Trust in the UN. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has requested the Foreign Ministry to develop a plan of important activities in our country and abroad under the plan.

Bilateral cooperation has been established with different states of the world and World Health Organization due to the threat of spread of new dangerous infection.

In this regard, the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Health Protection and Medical Industry and profile departments of the country have been requested to coordinate activity with foreign partners and to establish close and efficient contacts with them in this direction.

The pandemic has caused negative impact on international trade and economic relations and transport communication, the President of the country continued. For further development, it is necessary to bring these systems to previous conditions and level of development.

The Leader of the Nation has requested to accelerate practical implementation of the Agreement on Transport Corridor Afghanistan – Turkmenistan – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Turkey (lapis Lazuli) signed in Ashgabat in 2017.

Full use of international railroads Kazakhstan – Iran – Turkmenistan, Kerky – Ymamnazar – Akina (Afghanistan), railroad and motor bridges across Amudarya River, provision of high rates of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas pipeline, Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power and fiber optic lines have been outlined among the utmost objectives, Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

Taking into account national interests of Turkmenistan and current subjects of cooperation with Central Asian countries, the Foreign Ministry has been requested to prepare proposals on development of bilateral relations with each state of the region in 2021 as well as together with other government authorities, to develop National Program for Aral Sea and to present this Program for review by the government in the first quarter of 2021. It is planned to conduct the sixth high-level Caspian meeting in our country next year. The Head of Turkmenistan has requested the Foreign Ministry to start working on organization and conduct of this international forum on proper level.

Continuing the session, Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that Caspian Sea region is turning into one of the largest transport and logistic centers of Eurasia these days. The main role in this is given to our country.

As of today, there is a regular ferry communication between Turkmenbashy International Seaport and International Maritime Commercial Port of Baku. The talks on establishment of communication with Aktau International Commercial Seaport and Kuruk Seaport in Kazakhstan are ongoing. Opening of logistic center in Astrakhan and trade representative office in Kazan is under discussion with Russian partners. The project of transport communication with entry to Russian Baltic ports and Europe along Caspian Sea – Volga River route is under development.

In this regard, the Foreign Ministry was assigned to start working phase of cooperation, having accomplished solution of organizational and other issues with relative government authorities.

Continuation of works on the project of four-side intergovernmental agreement on opening of Caspian Sea – Black Sea transport corridor, which was initiated by Turkmenistan together with Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania, has been highlighted among current directions.

Asian pacific region, which is rapidly developing and turning into driving force of entire world economy and trade, is an important vector of foreign policy of the country, Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.

Having highlighted that the heads of the states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and New Zealand have signed the Agreement on foundation of the biggest free trade association as well as made important decisions under other economic organizations uniting Asian Pacific countries in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, recently, the Leader of the Nation has requested our embassies to the states of the region to study these documents and prepare recommendations and proposals on participation of Turkmenistan in relative projects and plans.

The President of the country has made special emphasis on expansion of partnership with European Union, cooperation with which raise big multilateral and bilateral interest. It includes support of peace and security in Central Asia and neighboring regions, achievement of the Sustainable development goals, use of transport, ecological and water resources.

Continuing the subject, the Head of the State has ordered to carry out efficient work on attraction of European Union to energy cooperation.

Having highlighted that regular Action Program of the Government of Turkmenistan and OSCE for 2021, which includes 68 perspective projects, has been approved few weeks ago, the Leader of the Nation gave instruction to the Foreign Ministry to coordinate the execution of this document as well as to enforce work on security, transport and climate change together with relative structures.

The United States of America is one of important trade, economic and political partners of Turkmenistan, cooperation with which is implemented in regional security sphere, combating challenges and threats as well as in other directions, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov continued.

Special attention is paid to Turkmen American Business Council in cooperation with USA. For 12 years of its work, the Council has turned into actual mechanism of bilateral partnership and has become an efficient tool of establishment, development and strengthening of relations between entrepreneurship structures of our countries, joint search for priority aspects of cooperation.

The Head of the State has noted that it is necessary to give fundamentally new impulse to the activity of this structure for increment and diversification of trade and implementation of big joint projects.

Turkmenistan is connected with close historical, spiritual and cultural relations with the countries of Middle and Near East, the Leader of the Nation continued, having specified enrichment of these relations with specific activity taking into account real situation among the main objectives.

In this regard, it has been stated that our diplomats have to work more actively is the partners in implementation of the Ashgabat Agreement on the formation of international transport and transit corridor, which has been signed by the Governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Head of the State has also highlighted that certain results have been achieved in African and Latin America directions as well. Having stated with delight the fact of establishment of the relations with African Union, the Leader of the Nation noted the presence of big perspectives for development of cooperation with the countries of Latin America.

Based on its neutral legal status, Turkmenistan would continue beneficial cooperation with region interstate associations including with the Commonwealth of Independent States, Islamic Cooperation Organization and Economic Cooperation Organization.

Receiving of observer status in the World Trade Organization is among the success achieved by our country this year. In this regard, the conditions for entry of commodities and services to the global markets, technical support and some other advantages under the authorities of the World Trade Organization. In its turn, it requires a responsible approach to cooperation with WTO. Having requested to study the experience of other state members of the organization in details, the President of Turkmenistan instructed to develop working plans for near-term future and to start their implementation.

Continuing the speech, Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that we have big objectives related to deserving celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Motherland’s independence in the next year 2021. First of all, this is national holiday, however, it should have an international significance and to demonstrate the success of Turkmenistan reached for the years of independence.

It is necessary to confirm that our country has become an honorable and competent member of the world community making significant contribution to strengthening of universal peace and sustainable development, the Head of the State highlighted, having addressed the Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions of Turkmenistan to organize and conduct the activities dedicated to this anniversary on high level throughout 2021.

Finishing his speech, the President of the country has highlighted that independent neutral Turkmenistan would continue pay special attention to its diplomatic service. The Government would provide everything required for comprehensive work of the service. Improvement of wellbeing and social wealth of its personnel and increment of the staff.

Having cordially congratulated everyone to the coming celebration – the Day of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, the Head of the State wished strong health and further success in responsible work for the prosperity of the Motherland to all participants.

Further, the floor has been given to Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan in the UN Alksoltan Atayeva.

Having cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov International Neutrality Day, which is observed all over the world, as well as on the 25th anniversary of neutrality, A. Atayeva wished strong health, longevity and big success in creative activity of the world significance carried out for the prosperity of the Motherland, happiness and wealth of the people on behalf of all diplomats.

Having noted that special role is given in foreign strategy of the country to further intensification of fruitful strategic cooperation with international organizations, especially with the UN, A. Atayeva highlighted that historical speeches of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the sessions of the UN General Assembly and creative proposals have been supported in the world community and are successfully implemented in practice.

Further, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister R. Meredov who highlighted that the authority of independent neutral Turkmenistan is growing in the world arena every year owing to constructive foreign strategy of the Head of the State.

Having cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the 25th anniversary of permanent neutral status of the Motherland and International Neutrality Day, the Vice-premier, Foreign Minister, has reported on work conducted for provision of the citizenship of our country to the stateless people.

According to the Decrees of the Leader of the Nation, thousands of people living in our country but at the same time having no citizenship have received citizenship of Turkmenistan since 2011.

Turkmen authorized government establishments have carried out proper work on giving of Turkmenistan citizenship to 2,580 people who live in our country and represent 19 nationalities based on their applications for further implementation of progressive political strategy initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which is based on fair and democratic principles.

In this regard, the Vice-premier, Head of the Foreign Ministry have brought out the proposal on provision of citizenship to the above-mentioned people on occasion of the glorious anniversary and International Neutrality Day to the Head of the State for review.

At the same time, it was mentioned that following humanistic principles of wise ancestors, the residence permit has been given to 3,119 foreign citizens and stateless persons.

Following this, the proposals on provision of residence permit to 874 people who are the citizens of 11 states and represent 31 nationalities has been presented to the Head of the State for review.

Having listened to the report and approved given proposals, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed relative Decree and Resolution, having requested the Vice-premier, the Head of the Foreign Minister to take proper measures for their execution.

Continuing the session, the Head of the State has signed the Decree on award of anniversary medals to people who participate actively in implementation of the neutrality policy of independent Motherland.

Finishing extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the President of Turkmenistan has wished strong health, happy and wealthy life and big success in work for further prosperity of the Motherland to all participants.

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On the same day, the award ceremony of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with the state award has been held.

The floor was given to the Speaker of National Parliament for announcement of the Resolutions of the Mejlis on award of the Leader of the Nation with Bitaraplyk Order and anniversary medal Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 25 ýyllygyna.

Taking into account personal contribution in strengthening of unbreakable political, economic and legal foundations of our independent state in the age of might and happiness according to the principles of neutrality, development of multilateral relations with the states of the world and international organizations, special merits to the society and people, President Grbanguly Berdimuhamedov has been awarded with Bitaraplyk Order and anniversary medal of Turkmenistan Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 25 ýyllygyna in honor of the 25th anniversary of neutrality.

National notes put into circulation on occasion of the 25th anniversary of neutrality of Turkmenistan celebration sweets ‘top pay’ have been alos given to the Head of the State.

Having expressed cordial gratitude for awards and congratulations, the Leader of the Nation said that he accepts the Bitaraplyk Order and anniversary medal as well as banknotes put into circulation in honor of the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, Turkmen celebration sweets, which were given according to the traditions and customs of our ancestors as an award to the native people.

Further, the Order of the President of Turkmenistan on award of anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 25 ýyllygyna» has been read out at the session.

Taking into account the achievements in work, active and productive government and public activity, long and honest work as well as in honor of glorious 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, the Speaker of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers and heads of military and law enforcement agencies, heads of Ashgabat and regional municipalities have also been awarded with anniversary medal of Turkmenistan «Türkmenistanyň Bitaraplygynyň 25 ýyllygyna». They have also been awarded with national banknotes put into circulation in honor of glorious celebration and sweets.

The officials who received award have expressed big gratitude for high trust given to them on the Government level. Owing to weighted far-seeing home and foreign course pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan has gained the reputation of the state committed to equal cooperation and principles of positive neutrality, goodwill and humanity.

Golden age (turkmenistan.gov.tm)