President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the priority issues of the current national policy and the achievements of the week.

Presenting the agenda the Turkmen leader said that the views on some key parameters of the country’s social and economic development in the fist half year, which would be considered in detail at the next sitting, were to be harmonized. Then the President gave the floor to the senior officials.

Speaker of the Mejlis A. Nurberdieva reported on the work of the Turkmen Parliament noting that the key trends of the current work included drafting the new Constitution on the basis of public opinion and numerous proposals of citizens of Turkmenistan.

Focusing on the paramount importance and significance of further improvement of the national legislation standing as a reliable platform for further implementation of the reforms and Turkmenistan’s successful integration into the global system Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put emphasis on the role of the Constitutional Commission performing the important mission – to bring the fundamental law in compliance with the modern realities.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported on the preparations for the Turkmen leader’s official visit to the Republic of Romanian. In particular, the Minister informed that the package of the intergovernmental agreements regulating co-operation on the principles of equality and mutual benefit had been negotiated during the bilateral consultations

Vice Premier T. Tagiev reported on the growth rates of oil and gas production and processing in accordance with the oil and gas industry development programme. The Vice Premier reported in the negotiations with the Kazakh partners on Turkmen natural gas export under the top level agreement.

Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the preparations for the coming national holiday - the Galla Bayramy (Harvest Day) celebrations and the International Children’s Festival, which would be held on August 1-7, 2008 in Turkmenistan.

Commenting on the report the President focused on the necessity of preparing in a proper manner for the holiday annually celebrated in Turkmenistan to honour diligent grain growers, who had reaped a rich harvest this year. The Turkmen leader said that this labour victory could be regarded as agricultural workers’ profound contribution to strengthening food security of the country. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov demanded that the Children’s Festival, which would bring together children from different countries worldwide, would be held

Vice Premier H. Saparliev reported on the preparations for the entrance examinations to the institutions of higher education in Turkmenistan and abroad. In particular, the Vice Premier reported that the information on the conditions of admission to the institutions of higher education and high schools was published in the national newspapers and other periodicals.

Focusing that training high qualified well-educated specialists for all sectors of national economy was a priority task the President demanded that the serious, responsible, honest approach would be taken to the admission campaign.

The President criticized the work of Minister of Education M. Annaamanov, who had failed to ensure the proper control of the admission campaign and the work of the institute commissions.

For the gross violations revealed during the inspection the President dismissed B. Annaorazov from he post of Chancellor of the National Institute of Sport and Tourism. Chancellor of D. Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages A. Gurbanniyazova received a severe reprimand for the shortcomings and weakening of the academic and educational activity.

Commenting on the report on the preparations for the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in Beijing Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on the paramount importance of the international sport competitions for further development of the popular sports in Turkmenistan, involvement of the Turkmen youth in the physical culture and sport movement and propagation of the healthy lifestyle.

Expressing belief that Turkmen sport would be represented at the major sport event of the planet with dignity the President said that the Turkmen mass media should intensify the relevant activities and cover the aspects of the national sport and physical culture movement.

N. Shaguliev reported on the current situation in construction industry and the sphere of transport.

Focusing on the importance of the sectoral projects Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov touched upon the progress of the construction of the North-South transnational transport corridor. The Turkemn leader demanded that strict control should be taken of the quality and period of constriction. In this context the aspects of the housing construction programme aimed at guaranteeing a comfortable apartment meeting the high quality standards to every family in Turkmenistan were considered.

Vice Premier H. Geldimuradov reported on the progress of the economic reform, in particular the financial sector. The Vice Premier reported on the work f the intergovernmental Turkmen-Afghani commission for trade and economic and technical co-operation that had first met in Ashgabat.

Vice Premier H. Muhammedov reported on the progress of the programmes aimed at developing textile and food industries. The Vice Premier informed of the victory of the Turkemn wine makers, who had won several gold medals and the honorary title of the Best Wine of 2008 at the IX International Contest of Wines and Strong Alcoholic Drinks Golden Gryphon– 2008 in Yalta.

Congratulating the winners on the remarkable achievement the Turkmen leader focused on the importance of participating in the international contests and competitions that vividly demonstrated the Turkmen producers’ achievements and high competitiveness of Turkmen goods on the world market.

In this regard the President demanded that strict control should be taken of the fulfillment of the tasks to expand the national food market.

In conclusion the President informed that he would be on short holiday.