The session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan

On October 7, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a regular session of the Cabinet of Ministers where several issues related to implementing state programs were discussed and a number of documents have been adopted.

Having outlined the session’s agenda, the Head of the State gave the floor to the Chairperson of the National Parliament A.Nurberdiyeva who informed the National Leader about the Parliament’s ongoing activity on further improvement of the country’s legislation and spoke of the trip to “Altyn Asyr” Turkmen Lake taken by the delegation in the beginning of October, as well as about outcomes of the International Research-to-Practice Conference “Establishing Constitutional State: National Experience and Global Development” held in Ashgabat on October 4-5.

Following the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed that rational water resources management was one of the most important aspects of Turkmenistan’s state policy, closely connected with preserving environmental well-being and nature protection. Our country takes a proactive stance in this area and stands for international cooperation development to address key environmental issues. Unprecedented in scale, the project for construction of “Altyn Asyr” Turkmen Lake hydraulic complex is of great significance both for our country and Central Asia as a whole, said the National Leader.

Speaking of importance of the representative international forum devoted to Turkmenistan’s Constitution the revised edition of which was adopted on the threshold of celebrating the 25th anniversary of our country’s Independence, the National Leader called to focus on the necessity of further improvement of the national legal framework and bringing it to compliance with international norms and principles.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov presented a report on the Foreign Service’s ongoing activity, and informed the Head of the State about the outcomes of the working trip to Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium, conducted last week.

The vice-premier and head of the MFA reported that by order from the Head of the State, our country’s delegation participated in the International Conference on Afghanistan “Partnership for Prosperity and Peace” held in the capital of Belgium on 4-5 October.

The agenda of the forum, attended by the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, high delegations from 76 countries, as well as heads and representatives of 26 regional and international organizations, covered a wide range of issues pertaining to uniting common efforts to ensure peace and security in Afghanistan, restore its economic and social infrastructure and improve welfare of the people.

In this regard, while addressing the Conference, the Turkmen side reiterated the initiatives put forward by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly and renewed our country’s commitment to provide political space for organizing peace talks on Afghanistan. Moreover, participants of the forum were briefed on implementation of major economical projects for Afghanistan and with Afghanistan. Consequently the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, heads of delegations and other speakers specifically noted the importance of projects for construction of TAPI gas pipeline and Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Tajikistan rail trunk line, increasing volumes of Turkmen electricity supplied to Afghanistan and Pakistan, construction of a highway and laying the optic fiber line. It was emphasized that all above projects not only would have a great impact on restoring Afghanistan, ensuring its integration into the modern system of global economic relations, but also on resolving issues of ensuring security and sustainable development in the Asian region.

Along with that the humanitarian aspect, training of qualified specialists for various economic sectors and social sphere were named among important areas where Turkmenistan renders support to its neighboring state.

In concluding the International Forum its participants adopted a Joint Communiqué reflecting support for construction of TAPI pipeline, railways and power lines in the region, and expressing appreciation to the Government of Turkmenistan for their readiness to host in Ashgabat the seventh Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII) in 2017. Within his report the head of the MFA also briefed the Head of the State on development of cooperation between our country and the European Union.

Summarizing the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed that Turkmenistan stood for solely peaceful resolution of Afghanistan-related issues through talks and political and diplomatic methods, and reiterated our intention to remain committed to direct participation in international efforts in this area through development of traditionally good-neighborly relations with Afghanistan. In that regard, the National Leader gave the head of the MFA relevant instructions.

Proceeding to cooperation with the European Union, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov was pleased to note the progressive development of our dialog with the EU that acquired a new meaning in recent years.

In this regard the National Leader emphasized the availability of the vast potential for intensification of the mutually beneficial cooperation in such promising spheres as commercial and economic sector, energy, transport and communications, advanced high technologies, as well as humanitarian and cultural sphere.

Summarizing the above, the President of Turkmenistan gave the vice-premier, the head of the MFA specific instructions related to further development of successful collaboration with the European Union that is based on principles of equality, mutual respect and longevity.

Then vice-premier S.Toilyev reported on the state of affairs in areas under his supervision. Correspondingly, he presented a report on the draft Resolution on Approving duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers in charge of science, education, healthcare, sports, youth and social affairs; establishing the list of supervised ministries and sectoral agencies, scientific research institutions and organizations, as well as adopting the composition, staffing table and job descriptions of employees of departments under his responsibility. This document was drafted on the basis of proposals to amend and supplement Turkmenistan’s legislation.

Along with that, the vice-premier reported on the draft Order on accepting foreign nationals to higher educational institutions of our country in 2016-2017 academic year prepared for the purpose of implementing the relevant instruction by the National Leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov on the basis of the Agreement on cooperation in the field of education signed between the governments of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, as well as in line with the Resolution by the Head of the State from April 19, 2013.

Consequently, the drafts proposes that 30 Afghan nationals are enrolled free of charge at one-year language course at S.Seydi Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute, while 26 Afghan students who completed this course last year are accepted to several Turkmen universities, more precisely, International Oil and Gas Institute, Turkmen Agricultural Institute, State Institute of Power Engineering and the above-mentioned Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute.

Having approved and signed the presented documents, the Head of the State instructed the vice-premier to keep under constant control the state of affairs in supervised agencies and ensure timely resolution of issues related to further improvement of their activity.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers G.Mammedova presented her report on Turkmenistan Culture Days in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held on September 27 through October 1.

Following the report, the National Leader emphasized utmost importance of international creative campaigns as part of implementing the foreign policy strategy of independent neutral Turkmenistan.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Head of Administration of the Office of the President of Turkmenistan and the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan reported on ongoing preparation for the 25th anniversary of Independence, specifically focusing on works for capital improvement of Ashgabat.

Stressing the paramount importance of the upcoming anniversary that plays a special role in the life of the Turkmen society in all our country, the Head of the State demanded that utmost attention was focused on facilities planned for commissioning prior to this landmark event.

Stressing the importance of a thorough and thoughtful approach to implementing complex transformative programs ongoing in Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the vice-premier several relevant instructions.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers S.Satlykov presented his report on works related to expanding geographical area of international flights so as to increase the freight and passenger traffic, and also spoke about measures adopted to boost cooperation between Turkmenhowayollary State National Service and its foreign partners.

Following the report, the Head of the State highlighted that modernizing the infrastructure and technical upgrading of the national civil aviation stood as integral parts of gradually implemented large-scale plans in the sphere of transport. Commissioning of the Ashgabat International Airport provided another opportunity to expand the geographical area of regular international passenger flights and increase the frequency of existing flights, said the National Leader and instructed the vice-premier to attend to the matter in keeping with the calls of the times.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ya.Kakayev reported on the state of affairs in various sectors of the country’s fuel and energy industry and spoke of drafting and approving the Provisions on Turkmengaz and Turkmennebit State Concerns.

Summing up the report, the President of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of a thoroughly planned integrated approach to resolution of all tasks in this sphere and gave the vice-premier several specific instructions related to further intensification of works on development of the country’s oil and gas industry and improving the scope of activities of oil and gas enterprises.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B.Ereshov reported on the state of affairs in supervised agencies and covered the ongoing works on developing the capacities of the chemical industry, speaking more precisely on integrated measures adopted by Turkmenhimiya State Concern to establish enterprises that would manufacture import-substituting products.

Sharpening the focus on matters related to reinforcing the technical resource base of the chemical industry, the Head of the State gave the vice-premier several relevant instructions.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B.Hojamammedov reported on the activity of supervised agencies with regard to implementing the Program for improving the employment sphere and creating new jobs in Turkmenistan for 2015-2020, approved by the Head of the State’s Resolution of May 1, 2015. As stated by the vice-premier, in line with the said document and the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities which our country joined in 2008, the Action Plan for ensuring full realization of rights of people with disabilities for labor and employment for 2017-2020 was being drafted at time.

Following the report, the National Leader emphasized the importance of employment of disabled persons. While drafting the policy document, social and labor rehabilitation of disabled persons, realization of their creative abilities must be recognized as primary tasks, said the Head of the State and gave several instructions to the vice-premier.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B.Atdayev reported on preparing the draft register of exhibitions, fairs and conferences to be held in 2017, and spoke of steps taken towards organizing Turkmenistan–Tatarstan Business Forum to be held in Ashgabat on October 11. Following the report and emphasizing the importance of holding in our country international events and forums with the purpose of expanding partnership with foreign countries, the National Leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed the vice-premier to employ modern approaches in this sphere.

The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers R.Bazarov presented his report on the progress of seasonal agricultural works ongoing in the country’s provinces. As of today, 595 thousand 845 hectares of land have been sown. In parallel to planting, care of crops is performed with observance of all relevant agricultural norms. Cotton harvesting is gathering momentum. By today 755 thousand 281 tons of cotton have been harvested and submitted to reception facilities.

The vice-premier also reported on preparation for the Nationwide planting yovar (Community work day) to be held on 8 October.

The Head of the State demanded that adoption of integrated package of measures for timely completion of cotton harvesting and planting winter crops was ensured and gave several relevant instructions to the vice-premier.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the significance of creating greenfield sites around Ashgabat and provincial settlements, and subsequently instructed the vice-premier to ensure proper organization of the upcoming mass campaign, the Nationwide planting yovar.

Several other issues pertaining to the state affairs were discussed and relevant resolutions were adopted during the session of the Cabinet of Ministers.

State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)