President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired the sitting of the Cabinet of Minister to consider the priority tasks of further national social and economic and cultural development, in particular in the light of the decisions taken at the recent enlarged sitting of the Government.

Opening the sitting the Turkmen leader focused on the results of national development in the first half year of 2008, which testified to Turkmenistan’s profound potential as well as the availability of huge unused resources. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that a major task was to employ the existing resources to implement the important national programmes and projects, which were to play a crucial role in further improving the living standards and increasing the welfare of the Turkmen peoples.

Touching upon the agenda items the President said that Turkmenistan as the whole world was in the threshold of the important event – the Olympic Games in Beijing – the capital of friendly China. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that for our country attaching paramount importance to development of physical culture and sport, propagation of the healthy lifestyle the coming Olympic Games would be another step towards good health, physical and spiritual self-perfection. This was a splendid opportunity to test strength and demonstrate our frankness and readiness for co-operation as well as our aiming to high results to the world. The President instructed to organize the farewell parties for the sportsmen, who would participate in the Olympic Games, and to prepare a big concert programme.

During the meeting the Vice Premiers reported on the fulfillment of the President’s instructions, the progress of the important industrial and social projects.

Vice Premier M. Yazmuhammedova reported on the preparations for the International Children’s Festival, which would be held at the children’s health-improving centres in Geokdere near Ashgabat in the first week of August. Focusing on the significance of the Children’s Festival as a platform used by younger generation, in whose hands was the future of the world, for meeting and communicating the Turkmen leader demanded that the Festival should be organized at the high level. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the forum should become a symbol of friendship among children all over the world.

Commenting on the reports the President focused on the necessity of taking strict control of the fulfillment of the designated tasks and phased plans on Turkmenistan’s development to turn the country into a highly developed country in the world.

Other issues of the current national policy were considered during the sitting.