OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2009. Presidents of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation attend ceremony of opening new building of Turkmen-Russian School

The event that will add a special page to the history of the intergovernmental relations of our countries – opening of the newly constructed building of A. S. Pushkin Turkmen-Russian School took place in the Turkmen capital with the participation of the leader of the Turkmen state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Russian Federation Dmitriy Medvedev, who was on a working visit to Ashgabat.

Having proclaimed the principles “a state for the people” President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov defined education as the key intellectual and spiritual sphere of life that has direct impact on the development of the society, country, national economy, culture, etc. The scientific and educational sphere that the President of Turkmenistan gives priority to is a priority of Turkmen-Russia partnership.

The opening of the new beautiful building of the Turkmen-Russian School symbolizes the understanding of education as a critical aspect of humanitarian cooperation based on the common values.

In the morning the exciting and joyful atmosphere reigned in the territory of the School. The schoolchildren held the national flags of two countries, colourful balloons and flowers in their hands. The new building was festively decorated. The cabinet ministers, the high-ranking officials of the Mejlis, ministries and departments, the heads of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, journalists and students gathered in there waiting for the honorary guests.

Then the cortege took the leaders of Turkmenistan and Russian to the venue. The participants enthusiastically welcomed the Presidents. The girls dressed in the national costumes presented flowers to the leaders of two states. The schoolchildren and the children’s art group of Ashgabat had prepared their special gift – a bright dancing and musical performance for the participants and guests of the ceremony on this remarkable occasion.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev addressed the welcoming speeches to the participants and guests of the ceremony. Congratulating those present on the significant event, the leader of the Turkmen state said, “The magnificent building of the school that became a symbol of close cooperation between Turkmenistan and Russia was raised through the good will that moves forward our friendship in the modern historical period. The fact that this symbol is the school named after Pushkin says much.”

Touching upon the development of education in our country, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that multimedia technologies introduced at all schools throughout the country, advanced methods of physical and intellectual training and education was a path of the Turkmen society towards the future. “It requires the new way of thinking and action that can increase the welfare and prosperity of the Fatherland, enhance its prestige on the world arena,” the Turkmen leader said. “That is why the programmes of education reforms are so fundamental and grandiose. Almost the entire infrastructure of the national education system starting from kindergartens to universities is being fundamentally modernized. A striking example of it is this school adorning the Turkmen capital that is renewing before our eyes.”

The major aims and tasks set to the national education system are identified by the national development strategy in the epoch of New Revival and provide for full-scale use of the potential and channels of international cooperation for improving the quality of education, implementing the national priorities in the spheres of science and technology. Thus we gain a valuable experience for our country that is required to ensure competitiveness of Turkmen education and its integration in the global educational space and to build the society based on knowledge, in general.

The younger generation of our country feels the care of the Government that has declared an individual the highest value of the society. “Russia follows this strategic policy too, and today we have a common occasion for joy," Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said wishing the students and their teachers to maintain the high reputation of the school that symbolized indissoluble Turkmen-Russia friendship.

In his welcoming statement President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev appreciated the beauty of the school building and symbolism of its architectural style emphasizing that “also this building is beautiful for that it reflects our common values, the willingness to strengthen the friendly relations between Russia and Turkmenistan on a basis of the common traditions, keen interest of our peoples to each other and historical affinities, evidences that unbreakable friendship between our peoples will gain a new framework.”

In recent years Turkmenistan pays very much attention to education, the honorary guest continued, the foundation for an educational process is being laid for many years ahead by using modern multimedia technologies. “I think, Dmitriy Medvedev said, “that the educational projects between our two countries have a bright future. I think this is the best symbol of our friendship, a guarantee of the development of heartfelt relations for many years ahead. This is a reflection of the policy of the leadership of Turkmenistan, its President towards the development of education, the development of bilateral contacts. I believe that this is an excellent groundwork for the future. I would like to thank Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich once again for inviting to take part in this event, wish all those, who will study at this school, teach in it, great success, congratulate them on opening the new building and wish new achievements in the coming New Year.”

Then the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Russia cut the ribbon at the entrance to the school building. The leaders of the state entered the building where… Magtymguly Fraghi and Aleksander Pushkin, whose images came alive in the theatrical performance, congratulated them on the remarkable event.

The Principal of the Turkmen-Russia School expressed gratitude to the Presidents on behalf of the school teachers for this wonderful gift and invited them to make an excursion around the new building.

During the excursion the leaders of Turkmenistan and Russia visited the school buildings and classrooms. The Presidents visited first the language laboratory, computer science, geography, art history, chemistry rooms in the right wing of the building.

The complex of the three-storey school buildings for 800 children and high-rise administrative building is a new visible symbol of long-term and sincere friendship between our two nations, the partners’ commitment to strengthen wide fruitful collaboration.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev visited to the gym and indoor swimming pool in the sports and health-improving complex. The young athletes presented a performance for the guests.

Upon concluding the excursion Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev entered to the foyer of the administrative building, where they made an entry to the Book of Honorary Guests. The souvenirs were presented to the leaders on behalf of the schoolchildren and teachers.

Bidding farewell Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev wished fruitful work to teachers and successful acquisition of knowledge and skills to schoolchildren heartily congratulating the hosts and the participants of the ceremony.

Opening the new building A. S. Pushkin Turkmen-Russia School in Ashgabat became a symbol of the continuity of the wonderful traditions of friendship and mutual enrichment of cultures. The Turkmen leader noted, “We will continue to promote cultural, humanitarian, educational, scientific relations between our countries, create the conditions conducive to wide exchange in these spheres, facilitate contacts between workers of art and culture.”

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Dmitriy Medvedev walked to the new high-rise apartment house built nearby on Independence Avenue. Several families of the teachers of the Turkmen-Russia School had received the new apartments in this house constructed by Turkish builders at the request of the Turkmenmallary Association.

The leaders of two states made an excursion around the apartments. They visited a three-room apartment of the Principal of the school, a well-experienced teacher.

The family heartily welcomed the guests, and invited to have tea. The honorary guests warmly congratulated the hosts on receiving a wonderful apartment, wished family wellbeing, cohesion and happiness, presents the gifts to them and had a collective photograph taken.