OREANDA-NEWS. November 02, 2009. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the priority issues of the national policy, the progress in implementing the large-scale projects and programmes in the country.

Presenting the agenda the Turkmen leader gave the floor to Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova, who reported on the results of the activities carried out in the framework of the Independence Day celebrations and the preparations for the Days of Culture of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan, which would be held on November3-6.

Focusing on the coming cultural action the President highly evaluated the role of such forums in expanding and developing fruitful international cooperation, exchanging experience in the humanitarian field, strengthening the ties of friendship with the peoples around the world and our closest neighbours in particular that was a priority of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy.

Speaker of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdieva congratulated the Turkmen leader of the holiday – the 18th anniversary of independence. Informing of the activity of the national Parliament the Speaker reported on the preparations for the next session of the Mejlis, during which new draft laws aimed at the further progress of the country and brining it up to a higher level would be debated.

Commenting on the report Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the importance of the work to further improve the national legislation as an essential factor of consistent development of the Turkmen state and society, successful implementation of the ongoing reforms and designated plans.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported on the preparations for a regular meeting of the Special working group for the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea at the level of deputy foreign ministers of the littoral states, which would be held in Ashgabat this November.

Focusing on the importance of taking a balance, mutually accepted decision on the status of this unique water body Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on Turkmenistan’s commitment to an active search for the optimal variant of the Convention as the basic document aimed at regulating collaboration among five littoral states and creating the conditions conducive to fruitful international cooperation in the Caspian region.

Vice Premier H. Muhammedov reported on the preparations for opening a cotton spinning mill in Dashoguz.

Commenting on the report Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted with satisfaction that the new cotton spinning complex similar to that recently put into operation in Turkmenabat would allow enhancing considerably the production potential of Turkmenistan’s textile industry that was of particular concern to the state.

Vice Premier B. Khojamuhammedov reported on the preparations for the working trip of a delegation of the high-ranking officials and sectoral specialists to the Islamic Republic of Iran to discuss the aspects of bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas and transport sectors and the ceremony of putting Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline into operation.

Commenting on the report Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that today economic cooperation with Iran was brought up to a qualitatively new level that allowed implementing the existing potential of partnership to the full extent. An important step on this way would be putting the new gas pipeline into operation this December that would substantially increase natural gas exports from Turkmenistan to the neighbouring state. The North-South transport corridor under construction that would foster regional mutually advantageous economic ties would open up the vast opportunities to expand Turkmen-Iranian collaboration.

The President issued the Resolution authorizing the relevant working group of Turkmenistan would visit the Islamic Republic of Iran to foster traditional intergovernmental cooperation.

Vice Premier N. Shagulyev reported on the work carried out to implement the President’s programme on development of Turkmenistan’s merchant marine in the Caspian Sea. The Vice Premier demonstrated a modern model of the video telephone to the Turkmen leader

Commenting on the report Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that today the task-oriented measures were taken to create the merchant navy on the Caspian Sea.

Then the President touched upon on an important agenda item – accelerate adoption state-of-the-art communication systems. The Turkmen leader noted that though the particular work had been done in this field the work pace did not comply with the modern requirements. That was related to the use of communication systems in various sectors of the national economy, education, etc.

Touching upon the achieved results Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the work pace in this field must be accelerated. The President instructed Vice Premiers N. Shagulyev, H. Saparlyev and other Vice Premiers to ensure the adoption of state-of-the-art communication management systems in the sector noting that latest innovations must be adopted to achieve this goal.

The Turkmen leader said that the starting point should be creation of the unified city electronic communication systems. The next step would be creation of the similar system in the regions and then – the single electronic communications system, which would cover the whole country that would allow creating the government communications system which would allow taking the decisions on a basis of the concrete data received from the ground.

Instructing Vice Premiers N. Shagulyev and H. Saparlyev to take personal control of drafting the relevant project the President demanded that this work be started immediately because of its special importance. The President said that Turkmenistan should be tuned into a country of advanced electronic technologies, widespread adoption of which was a key factor for progressive development.

Vice Premier T. Japarov reported on the work to draft the Resolution on the approval of the procedure of calculating the value added tax for the services for conveying passengers, transporting goods of natural and legal entities by rail. The Vice Prime Minister reported on the ongoing work on further development of cooperation with leading international financial and economic organisations.

Approving the draft Resolution in whole the Turkmen leader signed the document focusing on the importance of strengthening constructive cooperation with foreign partners to study the best practices and enhance mutually advantageous relationships.

Vice Premier D. Orazov reported on the progress in reconstructing the main highways in Ashgabat, the preparations for installing equipment to produce non-metallic building materials and the ceremonies of putting new facilities into operation to honour the national holiday – Neutrality Day.

Focusing on the importance of ensuring the high quality of work on the modernization of road transport infrastructure in the capital that was an integral component of the urban development programme implemented in Ashgabat, the Turkmen leader demanded that strict control be taken of this issue.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demanded that the building premieres should be held in a proper manner.

Touching upon the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of independence Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that this was a landmark event of historic importance and therefore the preparations should be started even today. In this regard the President instructed the relevant high-ranking officials to prepare the plan of festive events and celebrations.

Vice Premier H. Saparliyev reported on the work to draft the Resolution on the provision of medicinal preparations, medical products and medical aid to the particular categories of population on a free and preferential basis.

Signing this document the President of Turkmenistan focused on the paramount importance of the work carried out in the state to protect the health of citizens, further develop the national health care system and demanded that Vice Premier H. Saparlyev should keep under control this important work.

Vice Premier M. Akmammedov reported on the work to further develop the agricultural sector to achieve the goals of the ongoing agricultural reform and the progress in the agricultural campaigns.

Focusing on the importance of the agricultural campaign the President put emphasis on the need to accelerate the pace of the cotton picking campaign so that ‘white gold would be delivered to the receiving points without loss and in a timely manner. The President demanded that strict control be taken of agricultural works.

In conclusion the President highly appreciated the high level of organisation of the celebrations of the 18th anniversary of independence the Turkmen leader said that due to selfless and diligent labour of the Turkmen Turkmenistan had gained the great achievements and made a breakthrough in social and economic and cultural development people in a short historical period.

Expressing sincere gratitude to compatriots for the friendly and efficient work, active support of the ongoing large-scale reforms the Turkmen leader expressed belief that these achievements would be multiplied many times and independent neutral Turkmenistan would continue to advance along the path of prosperity, constructive endeavours and progress.