End of April – beginning of May were full of events in Turkmenistan that attracted international attention. As usual widely observed National Turkmen Horse Celebration, which gathered numerous foreign guests including reporters of leading TV channels from dozens of countries and correspondents of famous foreign new and specialized agencies, was almost immediately replaced by other large-scale events where the opening of Turkmenbashy International Seaport is the main one.
Nowadays, by the initiative of the Head of the State, the Silk Road is restored in the merit – as the network of transnational railways, roads, air and sea lines. The horse was replaced by powerful locomotives, vehicles and ships, while the horse itself, having accomplished its mission, was raised to the triumph pedestal in Turkmen society.
Unusual and very beautiful holiday is observed every year to honour ahalteke horse, - many foreign mass media commented on the events on Turkmenistan, speaking that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov who is an old expert and connoisseur of the horses personally sponsoring horse-breeding in the country took part in the main events.
News from Ashgabat and celebration events were highlighted by national TV channels of various countries including “RTR - Planeta”, “Rossiya 1” and “Rossiya 24”, which reporter was very lucky on those days. All of the sudden, he had a chance to take interview from the President of Turkmenistan, which was shown in prime time of millions of spectators.
The interview given by Turkmen leader became the news that went around news agencies.
Media portal Rambler cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov about Turkmen – Russian relations and priorities of bilateral cooperation where together with oil and gas complex, construction and industrial sector, recently, the great attention is paid to the development of transport and transit corridors.
It was also mentioned in this context that during the Summit of Caspian states, Turkmenistan proposed the establishment of unified logistic centre and rationalization of cargo traffic, which was support by Russia. New transport corridor is to connect sea navigation, railways and motor transport reviving the Silk Road by thus.
In addition, Rambler cited the words of Turkmen leader that the country is interested that its youth know several languages besides the state one. We speak three languages: Turkmen, Russian and English” – the President of Turkmenistan said.
Conversation of Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with Head of Central Asia Department of Russian State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company Robert Frantsev was recited by website “SNG.TODAY”, which also presented the review of the celebration in Ashgabat in the report with bright illustration to its readers.
“MIR 24” informed about International ahalteke horses beauty contest held by the initiative of the President of the country and about artistic contest among painters, sculptors, carpet makers, jewellers, photographers, personnel of publishing houses, designers and TV operators on the best image of the horse.
International TV and Radio Company “Mir” also made report on the events dedicated to ahalteke horses in their historical birth place. Article on the website of National Geographic was dedicated to National Turkmen Horse Celebration. It mentions that the horse has been the wings and loyal companion of Turkmens throughout the history. No matter how fundamentally the life of the nation has changed, the horse remains the central character of Turkmen culture what is indicated by the fact the horse is on National Symbol of Turkmenistan.
Newspaper Renmin Ribao paid attention to the subjects that were highlighted at the VIII session of International Ahalteke Equestrian Association chaired by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Owing to this organization, solid foundation has been laid for protection of the pedigree of the breed and increment of the livestock of ahalteke horses, the newspaper noted.
Film crew of Japanese broadcasting corporation “NHK”, journalists of South Korean public TV and radio company, reporter of Kuwait mass media and other were among the guests of Turkmen capital at the celebration. They made special issues of documentaries of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan, ahalteke horses and delebrations.
After short break, the events moved to Avaza coast together with representatives of the press.
On May 2, after International Forum “the Great Silk Road: Toward New levels of Development” finished its work, headlines of news agencies of full of information like “President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov speaks of geopolitical role of new Turkmenbashy port”, “ Turkmen Leader names the priorities of transport policy”, “ Turkmenbashy port opens new opportunities for the countries of the region that have no sea access”, “Big staging area for intensification of cooperation is made in Caspian region”, “ Turkmenistan proposes to discuss the formation of modal road for Central Asia with the entry to Turkey”, “ The President of Turkmenistan calls up to activate transport cooperation under the UNECE and UNESCAP”, “Turkmenbashy Harbour is awarded with International prizes”…
“These are multidimensional model of transport flows, establishment of new routes and directions that are able to give necessary stability and new dynamics to global development, which is very current on the background of those complicated and sometimes critical occurrences observed in the world economy today”, - MIR 24 and other mass media cited the words of the Head of the State.
Referring to the speech of the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation Victor Olerskiy during transport conference in Turkmenbashy, Interfax broadcasted that the experts of Caspian states agreed the draft of five-sided agreement in transport sphere. “In 2015, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed important initiative related to the elaboration of five-sided agreement on cooperation on transport sphere in Caspian Sea. The Government of the Russia Federation entirely supported this very timely proposal”, - Victor Olerskiy reminded, having stated with delight that last week, the experts of all Caspian states completed coordination of this important document which is proposed to be signed during coming Caspian Summit this year.
It is expected that the Drat Convention of legal status of Caspian Sea is to be reviewed at the Summit of the Heads of Caspian States planned to be held in Astana in 2018.
After opening of Turkmenbashy International Seaport, information board was supplemented with TV news and report from new harbour. Russian TV channels were one of the first there. It includes Ruptly Video Agency of Russian Today TV Company. Video from the place of events made by their film group was also demonstrated by Astana Channel (Kazakhstan), SVS TV (Azerbaijan), 360 TV Channel (Russia), Zvezda TV Channel (Russia), Arezo TV (Afghanistan) and other.
Website of Russia Today placed the video with highlight: “The Biggest in the Caspian: Turkmenistan opens International Seaport”.
Information about this event was presented by AZERTAJ citing the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that this seaport is to be an important link in the formation of modern system of maritime transportation making favourable conditions for the entry to Black Sea basin, European, Middle East, South Asia and Asia Pacific countries allowing considerable reduction of time and route of big cargo flows.
“Turkmenistan is to play the role of transcontinental economic bridge of cooperation of European, Asian Pacific and South Asian economic systems. Therefore, it is planned to take the measures for provision of efficiency of transport routes and reduction of share of transport component in the cost of final production in domestic, transit, export and import communication together with steadfast integration of the country to the world transport system, expansion of national infrastructure on the main routes and hubs on the East – West and the North – South directions.
Minister of Transport, Communication and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ramin Guluzade said in his speech at the event that the Silk Road served as the basis of our friendship, partnership, exchange of cultural values, economic relations and development of our countries for many years. New port in Turkmenbashy is considered as contribution of Turkmenistan in the restoration of the Silk Route.
Turkmenbashy International Seaport will expand transit and transport potential of Turkmenistan, “SNG. TODAY” writes making special mention that this transport and logistic hub will be important milestone in the realization of TRACECA programme. Located on Europe – Caucasus – Asia trade route, it is able to receive the vessel all year around and make loading and offloading all day long. The port is the sea gate that connects Central Asia and Europe and is the largest transit hub of the region by right.
New International seaport in Turkmen city of Turkmenbashy on the eastern coast of Caspian Sea started its work. Its territory is more than 1.3 square kilometres with total length of the quay wall of 3.6 kilometres, - the reporter of Mir 24 informed with the reference to the words of Turkmen leader that opening of this facility would support trade cooperation between the countries of Asia and Europe.
“Large opportunities will be open for shipment of cargos arriving by the Silk Road from Asian and Pacific countries to Turkmenbashy further to Europe via Russian and Azerbaijan ports after putting of new port into operation” – Trend International News Agency reported.
Multimodal logistic centre operating in the port will make complex of services for storage and combined processing of container cargos arrived by air, railways and roads providing the loading to maritime transport and back.
New Turkmenbashy port will also give impulse to the development of industrial and transport infrastructure and to the attraction of investments and will support to the increment of tourists flows.
Custom and logistic portal vch.ru noted favourable location of Turkmenistan from geo economic point of view in its article “Turkmenbashy International Seaport. The Golden Link of International Logistics”.
International Seaport built on Caspian Coast will have the significance of the sea gates for national economy and the region in general, the website writes adding that at the same time, more than 2500 working occupancies were created at new facilities.
Expert already say that Turkmenbashy port will considerably facilitate the process of trade between Caspian states and will make effect on transit routes going via Central Asian region. It is expected that Caspian state will develop not only in economic but in humanitarian aspect as well. Particularly, Turkmenistan is ready to receive cruise liners from Russia, - Astrakhan news portal Kaspyinfo writes.
This is about the re-opening of direct communication between Turkmen port and Russian port Olya in near future.
Astrakhan region and Turkmenistan have many common things. “ The region develops close relations with all Caspian states especially with Turkmenistan for long time,” – Alexander Zhilkin said during the interview to Vesti news programme of Federal TV channel Rossiya.
“New seaport in Turkmenbashy is very important for Astrakhan region” – Astrakhan – 24 highlighted its material where it is mentioned that foreign trade turnover of Astrakhan Region with Turkmenistan was 1.1 million US dollars for the first quarter of 2018 and grew almost twice to 95.5 percent comparing with the same period of 2017.
Last few years, Astrakhan Region ships mainly black metal products and road vehicles. In addition, Astrakhan shipyards build the boats for neighbouring Caspian state. In its turn, Turkmenistan ships textile, fruits, nuts, vegetables to Astrakhan.
Speaking of the project accomplished by GAP Insaat, Turkish agency Anadolu highlights the capacities of new port and informs that it is able to serve 300,000 passengers, 75,000 cargo trucks and 400,000 containers per year. Total throughput capacity of the port is 17 million tons of cargo without oil products.
The structure of the port includes Balkan shipyard. The facility is able to build four and repair twenty ships per year.
“New transport corridors allow expanding service market in this sphere, which requires active marketing foreign policy, optimization of tariffs by the member countries of international transport corridors and flexible system of tariff preferential,” – the agency cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
“This large-scale infrastructural project has strategic significance for all countries of Central Asia and Caspian basin as its realization brings Turkmenistan to new level of relations supporting their active integration to international system of economic relations and improvement of the role of Turkmenistan as important centre of transit communication”, - online magazine Renmin Ribao wrote.
“New coastal infrastructure in Caspian sea will provide the growth of volumes of international cargo traffic and will make conditions for the increment of export potential of the country,, will shorten the way and time of big transit cargo flows to commodity and material markets of Middle East and other regions,” – Avesta News Agency commented on the opening of Turkmen port.
This event was also highlighted in the news of “Rhythm of Eurasia” website, Neva-info news Agency, Russia Marine News, Shipbuilding.info and many other portals.
“Ukraine will join transport routes via Turkmenbashy Port,” – Black Sea News highlighted the opening of the port. Opening of new Turkmenbashy seaport in Turkmenistan give opportunity to Ukraine to join alternative corridor between Europe and Persian Gulf countries, India and China. The portal also notes that Trans Caspian Transport routes is the direction of new Silk Road.
Numerous internet resources cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that Turkmenistan is ready for the talks on all aspects of cooperation and use of Turkmenbashy port by all countries of the region that have no access to the sea.
The Head of the State said that the port would be focused on the stimulation of international cooperation in transport and logistic sphere and on involvement of new territories and direction to its configuration.
Nowadays, by the initiative of the Head of the State, the Silk Road is restored in the merit – as the network of transnational railways, roads, air and sea lines. The horse was replaced by powerful locomotives, vehicles and ships, while the horse itself, having accomplished its mission, was raised to the triumph pedestal in Turkmen society.
Unusual and very beautiful holiday is observed every year to honour ahalteke horse, - many foreign mass media commented on the events on Turkmenistan, speaking that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov who is an old expert and connoisseur of the horses personally sponsoring horse-breeding in the country took part in the main events.
News from Ashgabat and celebration events were highlighted by national TV channels of various countries including “RTR - Planeta”, “Rossiya 1” and “Rossiya 24”, which reporter was very lucky on those days. All of the sudden, he had a chance to take interview from the President of Turkmenistan, which was shown in prime time of millions of spectators.
The interview given by Turkmen leader became the news that went around news agencies.
Media portal Rambler cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov about Turkmen – Russian relations and priorities of bilateral cooperation where together with oil and gas complex, construction and industrial sector, recently, the great attention is paid to the development of transport and transit corridors.
It was also mentioned in this context that during the Summit of Caspian states, Turkmenistan proposed the establishment of unified logistic centre and rationalization of cargo traffic, which was support by Russia. New transport corridor is to connect sea navigation, railways and motor transport reviving the Silk Road by thus.
In addition, Rambler cited the words of Turkmen leader that the country is interested that its youth know several languages besides the state one. We speak three languages: Turkmen, Russian and English” – the President of Turkmenistan said.
Conversation of Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with Head of Central Asia Department of Russian State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company Robert Frantsev was recited by website “SNG.TODAY”, which also presented the review of the celebration in Ashgabat in the report with bright illustration to its readers.
“MIR 24” informed about International ahalteke horses beauty contest held by the initiative of the President of the country and about artistic contest among painters, sculptors, carpet makers, jewellers, photographers, personnel of publishing houses, designers and TV operators on the best image of the horse.
International TV and Radio Company “Mir” also made report on the events dedicated to ahalteke horses in their historical birth place. Article on the website of National Geographic was dedicated to National Turkmen Horse Celebration. It mentions that the horse has been the wings and loyal companion of Turkmens throughout the history. No matter how fundamentally the life of the nation has changed, the horse remains the central character of Turkmen culture what is indicated by the fact the horse is on National Symbol of Turkmenistan.
Newspaper Renmin Ribao paid attention to the subjects that were highlighted at the VIII session of International Ahalteke Equestrian Association chaired by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Owing to this organization, solid foundation has been laid for protection of the pedigree of the breed and increment of the livestock of ahalteke horses, the newspaper noted.
Film crew of Japanese broadcasting corporation “NHK”, journalists of South Korean public TV and radio company, reporter of Kuwait mass media and other were among the guests of Turkmen capital at the celebration. They made special issues of documentaries of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan, ahalteke horses and delebrations.
After short break, the events moved to Avaza coast together with representatives of the press.
On May 2, after International Forum “the Great Silk Road: Toward New levels of Development” finished its work, headlines of news agencies of full of information like “President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov speaks of geopolitical role of new Turkmenbashy port”, “ Turkmen Leader names the priorities of transport policy”, “ Turkmenbashy port opens new opportunities for the countries of the region that have no sea access”, “Big staging area for intensification of cooperation is made in Caspian region”, “ Turkmenistan proposes to discuss the formation of modal road for Central Asia with the entry to Turkey”, “ The President of Turkmenistan calls up to activate transport cooperation under the UNECE and UNESCAP”, “Turkmenbashy Harbour is awarded with International prizes”…
“These are multidimensional model of transport flows, establishment of new routes and directions that are able to give necessary stability and new dynamics to global development, which is very current on the background of those complicated and sometimes critical occurrences observed in the world economy today”, - MIR 24 and other mass media cited the words of the Head of the State.
Referring to the speech of the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation Victor Olerskiy during transport conference in Turkmenbashy, Interfax broadcasted that the experts of Caspian states agreed the draft of five-sided agreement in transport sphere. “In 2015, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed important initiative related to the elaboration of five-sided agreement on cooperation on transport sphere in Caspian Sea. The Government of the Russia Federation entirely supported this very timely proposal”, - Victor Olerskiy reminded, having stated with delight that last week, the experts of all Caspian states completed coordination of this important document which is proposed to be signed during coming Caspian Summit this year.
It is expected that the Drat Convention of legal status of Caspian Sea is to be reviewed at the Summit of the Heads of Caspian States planned to be held in Astana in 2018.
After opening of Turkmenbashy International Seaport, information board was supplemented with TV news and report from new harbour. Russian TV channels were one of the first there. It includes Ruptly Video Agency of Russian Today TV Company. Video from the place of events made by their film group was also demonstrated by Astana Channel (Kazakhstan), SVS TV (Azerbaijan), 360 TV Channel (Russia), Zvezda TV Channel (Russia), Arezo TV (Afghanistan) and other.
Website of Russia Today placed the video with highlight: “The Biggest in the Caspian: Turkmenistan opens International Seaport”.
Information about this event was presented by AZERTAJ citing the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that this seaport is to be an important link in the formation of modern system of maritime transportation making favourable conditions for the entry to Black Sea basin, European, Middle East, South Asia and Asia Pacific countries allowing considerable reduction of time and route of big cargo flows.
“Turkmenistan is to play the role of transcontinental economic bridge of cooperation of European, Asian Pacific and South Asian economic systems. Therefore, it is planned to take the measures for provision of efficiency of transport routes and reduction of share of transport component in the cost of final production in domestic, transit, export and import communication together with steadfast integration of the country to the world transport system, expansion of national infrastructure on the main routes and hubs on the East – West and the North – South directions.
Minister of Transport, Communication and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ramin Guluzade said in his speech at the event that the Silk Road served as the basis of our friendship, partnership, exchange of cultural values, economic relations and development of our countries for many years. New port in Turkmenbashy is considered as contribution of Turkmenistan in the restoration of the Silk Route.
Turkmenbashy International Seaport will expand transit and transport potential of Turkmenistan, “SNG. TODAY” writes making special mention that this transport and logistic hub will be important milestone in the realization of TRACECA programme. Located on Europe – Caucasus – Asia trade route, it is able to receive the vessel all year around and make loading and offloading all day long. The port is the sea gate that connects Central Asia and Europe and is the largest transit hub of the region by right.
New International seaport in Turkmen city of Turkmenbashy on the eastern coast of Caspian Sea started its work. Its territory is more than 1.3 square kilometres with total length of the quay wall of 3.6 kilometres, - the reporter of Mir 24 informed with the reference to the words of Turkmen leader that opening of this facility would support trade cooperation between the countries of Asia and Europe.
“Large opportunities will be open for shipment of cargos arriving by the Silk Road from Asian and Pacific countries to Turkmenbashy further to Europe via Russian and Azerbaijan ports after putting of new port into operation” – Trend International News Agency reported.
Multimodal logistic centre operating in the port will make complex of services for storage and combined processing of container cargos arrived by air, railways and roads providing the loading to maritime transport and back.
New Turkmenbashy port will also give impulse to the development of industrial and transport infrastructure and to the attraction of investments and will support to the increment of tourists flows.
Custom and logistic portal vch.ru noted favourable location of Turkmenistan from geo economic point of view in its article “Turkmenbashy International Seaport. The Golden Link of International Logistics”.
International Seaport built on Caspian Coast will have the significance of the sea gates for national economy and the region in general, the website writes adding that at the same time, more than 2500 working occupancies were created at new facilities.
Expert already say that Turkmenbashy port will considerably facilitate the process of trade between Caspian states and will make effect on transit routes going via Central Asian region. It is expected that Caspian state will develop not only in economic but in humanitarian aspect as well. Particularly, Turkmenistan is ready to receive cruise liners from Russia, - Astrakhan news portal Kaspyinfo writes.
This is about the re-opening of direct communication between Turkmen port and Russian port Olya in near future.
Astrakhan region and Turkmenistan have many common things. “ The region develops close relations with all Caspian states especially with Turkmenistan for long time,” – Alexander Zhilkin said during the interview to Vesti news programme of Federal TV channel Rossiya.
“New seaport in Turkmenbashy is very important for Astrakhan region” – Astrakhan – 24 highlighted its material where it is mentioned that foreign trade turnover of Astrakhan Region with Turkmenistan was 1.1 million US dollars for the first quarter of 2018 and grew almost twice to 95.5 percent comparing with the same period of 2017.
Last few years, Astrakhan Region ships mainly black metal products and road vehicles. In addition, Astrakhan shipyards build the boats for neighbouring Caspian state. In its turn, Turkmenistan ships textile, fruits, nuts, vegetables to Astrakhan.
Speaking of the project accomplished by GAP Insaat, Turkish agency Anadolu highlights the capacities of new port and informs that it is able to serve 300,000 passengers, 75,000 cargo trucks and 400,000 containers per year. Total throughput capacity of the port is 17 million tons of cargo without oil products.
The structure of the port includes Balkan shipyard. The facility is able to build four and repair twenty ships per year.
“New transport corridors allow expanding service market in this sphere, which requires active marketing foreign policy, optimization of tariffs by the member countries of international transport corridors and flexible system of tariff preferential,” – the agency cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
“This large-scale infrastructural project has strategic significance for all countries of Central Asia and Caspian basin as its realization brings Turkmenistan to new level of relations supporting their active integration to international system of economic relations and improvement of the role of Turkmenistan as important centre of transit communication”, - online magazine Renmin Ribao wrote.
“New coastal infrastructure in Caspian sea will provide the growth of volumes of international cargo traffic and will make conditions for the increment of export potential of the country,, will shorten the way and time of big transit cargo flows to commodity and material markets of Middle East and other regions,” – Avesta News Agency commented on the opening of Turkmen port.
This event was also highlighted in the news of “Rhythm of Eurasia” website, Neva-info news Agency, Russia Marine News, Shipbuilding.info and many other portals.
“Ukraine will join transport routes via Turkmenbashy Port,” – Black Sea News highlighted the opening of the port. Opening of new Turkmenbashy seaport in Turkmenistan give opportunity to Ukraine to join alternative corridor between Europe and Persian Gulf countries, India and China. The portal also notes that Trans Caspian Transport routes is the direction of new Silk Road.
Numerous internet resources cited the words of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that Turkmenistan is ready for the talks on all aspects of cooperation and use of Turkmenbashy port by all countries of the region that have no access to the sea.
The Head of the State said that the port would be focused on the stimulation of international cooperation in transport and logistic sphere and on involvement of new territories and direction to its configuration.