When interpreting the chronicle of the October events it should be noted that all of them took place in a solemn atmosphere of the nationwide celebrations in honour of the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan. Setting the pace to new outstanding accomplishments, including those on international scale, these events reflected the triumph of the policy of peace and progress and vividly testified to the ongoing grandiose reform in our Motherland and Turkmenistan’s high international prestige conditioned by the constructive open door policy pursued by the Turkmen leader and consistently carried out by national ministries and departments.
Having proclaiming peacefulness and positive neutrality key principles of the state policy, Turkmenistan steadily moves forward along the chosen path developing friendly relations with all countries of the world and closely cooperating with the authoritative international organisations, particularly with the UN, for peace, security and wellbeing on regional and global scale.
This fact was vividly illustrated during the International Conference on the Foreign Policy of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Peace and Steady Development which was held in the Turkmen capital on the first day of October.
The agenda of the high-level forum organized by the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the Galkynys National Movement focused the tasks deriving from the international initiatives put forward by the Turkmen leader during the 66th session of the UN General Assembly and widely supported by the world community.
The issues related to promotion of bilateral cooperation were a focus of the meetings at the Government of Turkmenistan with Ronald Nash, Co-Chair of the Turkmenistan-UK Trade and Industry Council, who had arrived in the Turkmen capital leading a delegation representing the UK’s business community.
The meeting agenda focused on the progress in implementing bilateral agreements and the prospects for expanding fruitful Turkmen-British partnerships. The fuel and energy and trade and economic sector, transport and communications infrastructure development, use of advanced technologies, tourism and other areas were mentioned as priority areas for cooperation.
The visit of the delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany led by Patrick Meinhardt, a Bundestag deputy and member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of Central Asia should be mentioned in the context of promotion of bilateral cooperation. During the visit to Ashgabat the German guests were received at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan where they discussed the ways to strengthen further inter-parliamentary contacts which served as an essential factor for strengthening bilateral relations.
The meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on the prospects of cooperation within the major international structures, including the European Union and the United Nations. In this regard it was underlined that Germany supported the new constructive initiatives for forming architecture of global security able to ensure stability and sustainable progress of the modern world that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had put forward from the high rostrum of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly. In particular, particular attention was paid to the initiatives for addressing the challenges to peaceful development and economic revival of Afghanistan including through the active involvement of the neighbouring state in implementing regional transport and energy projects.
The fact that delegations of authoritative European states visit Ashgabat is a landmark event, an evidence for the keen interest in Turkmenistan which stands in the world arena as a generator of constructive initiatives for strengthening global peace, security and stability.
The exhibition of Turkmenistan’s economic achievements that brought together over 140 state-run and private enterprises showcased the impressive pace of development of the national economy and an unprecedented scale of the social and economic programmes and ambitious international projects implemented in line with the Turkmen leader’s strategy for fundamental reforms. Ambitious investment projects, innovations, state-of-the-art equipment used in various sectors as well as the country’s achievements in the humanitarian sphere, particularly in the education and science sectors, were presented at the exhibition along with a wide range of industrial products, foodstuff and pieces of applied art.
The exhibition of Turkmenistan’s economic achievements once again provided the guests to our country with an opportunity to get acquainted with the success achieved by dynamically developing Turkmenistan and played an important role in promoting domestically produced goods at the consumers’ market.
The business forum programme included the international conference on the State Regulation of Turkmenistan’s Social and Economic Development: Priority Trends and Development Prospects, which brought together participants from over 10 countries, including the United States, Russia, Belgium, India, Korea, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, etc. The conference agenda focused on such important aspects of Turkmenistan’s economic policy as mitigation of the impact of the world financial and economic crisis and development of conceptual trends of the social policy.
On October 11 Gaffney, Cline & Associates business development manager Jim Gillett gave a press conference in the conference hall of the State News Agency of Turkmenistan. During the press conference Mr. Jim Gillett announced the results of the second stage of the independent audit of Turkmenistan’s largest gas deposits, including Southern Yoloten-Osman, Minara and Yashlar.
The current estimates audit showed that gas reserves in the Southern Yoloten-Osman, Minara and Yashlar gas fields proved to be 26.2 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. The new reserve estimate ranks this natural ‘storage’ as the world’s second largest gas field. This fact is of significant importance for further development of the oil and gas complex of the country as well as for widening the geography of the export of Turkmen energy sources to the world markets. It also makes Turkmenistan attractive for foreign investors and promotes attracting capital of the world business community.
On the same day a delegation of the International Organization for Migration led by Eugenio Ambrosi, Senior Regional Advisor for Europe and Central Asia was received in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
It was noted that the speech of the President of Turkmenistan before the 66th session of the UN General Assembly had testified once again to the importance and timeliness of the Turkmen leader’s international initiatives aimed at the peaceful and sustainable development of the region and the world. In particular, emphasis was put on the significance of the Turkmen leader’s proposal to carry out the work jointly with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees on the introduction of Turkmenistan’s experience in granting citizenship to refugees and stateless persons and organize an International meeting involving all parties concerned in Ashgabat in 2012.
The continuously increasing interest of the world business elite in the Turkmen state as a very promising and dependable partner was convincingly illustrated by the Turkmen-Austrian business forum which was held in the conference hall of the Mizan Business Centre on October 13. The participation of Federal President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer in the meeting gave it special status.
Evidence for Austria’s keen interest in enhancing business partnership with Turkmenistan was the impressive membership of the Austrian delegation representing over thirty firms specializing in oil and gas production, design and construction, finance and investment, information and communications technologies, health care, trade, publishing activity, services of various types.
The meetings and talks held in the framework of the forum spotlighted cooperation in such areas as the fuel and energy sector, transport, industry, trade, education, science and culture, tourism and sport as well as high technologies, particularly alternative energy as the promising fields of a mutually beneficial dialogue. These meeting opened up new opportunities to establish contacts, discuss the prospects of cooperation and devise the plans for further collaboration between ministries and departments, private companies and entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria.
The international community has received evidence on numerous occasions for political far-sightedness and healthy pragmatism of the leader of Turkmenistan. It is no mere chance that the issues related to the progress of Turkmenistan since it gained independence and intensification of business partnerships based on a constructive political dialogue dominated at the international conference entitled “20 Years of Independence of Turkmenistan: Along the Path of Humanism and Justice”, which was held in Ashgabat on October 14. The organizers of the high-level forum were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan and the Galkynys National Movement.
The conference held to mark the main national holiday and the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan brought together participants from reputable circles, including deputies of the Mejlis, representative of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, country offices of the UN agencies, OSCE and other authoritative international organisations, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, etc.
The keen interest of foreign guests and representatives of the international organisations in independent neutral Turkmenistan is conditioned not only by its tremendous resource potential and favourable geographical location but also by the Turkmen leader’s constructive and peace-building policy.
The open door policy based on positive neutrality, the favourable investment climate, initiative aspiration for friendly relations, rigorous observance of all partner obligations undertaken – all this has won Turkmenistan the reputation of being a dependable partner oriented towards mutual understanding in international cooperation. This is vividly illustrated by a working visit of Staffan de Mistura, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan to Turkmenistan on October 14.
The discussion of a wide range of aspects of Turkmenistan-United Nations cooperation and exchange of views on critical issues of regional and international politics took place during the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign of Turkmenistan. In particular, much attention was paid to the work towards revival of Afghanistan, the provision of effective support and assistance in restoring social and economic infrastructure and establishing lasting peace and cohesion in the Afghan land.
A landmark event promoting international cooperation of Turkmenistan in the sport sector was the 60th meeting of the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) which was held under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, a member of the International Olympic Committee in the Turkmen capital on October 16.
The fact that Ashgabat was unanimously chosen to host the OCA Executive Committee for the second time in token of recognition of Turkmenistan’s growing role and contribution to promoting the Olympic movement in Asia.
During the forum the heads of the OCA committees presented the reports on the work done in the reporting period and the prospects for cooperation in sports. The forum participants adopted a number of documents designed to promote the Olympic movement in Asian countries. The OCA Executive Board members were briefed on the preparations for the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which would be held in Incheon, South Korea in 2013.
The presentation of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which will take place in Ashgabat in 2017 in accordance with the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia was a special agenda item. A film describing in detail the Olympic village under construction in the Turkmen capital, the largest facility of its kind in the Central Asian region where the 2017 Asian Games will be held, was demonstrated during the forum.
The ceremony of opening the Turkmen-Indian Information Technology Centre took place at Magtymguly Turkmen State University a day later, on October 17. A delegation of the Republic of India led by Sachin Pilot, Minister of State Communications and Information had arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the ceremony.
The new educational centre established in accordance with the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan under the Memorandum between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India in Ashgabat last February was a new step to promote the state science and education policy.
The new training centre established in accordance with the Resolution of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov under the Memorandum between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India signed in Ashgabat in February 2010 was a new step to promote the state science and education policy.
As for international contacts which took place in October at the level of ministries and departments, their significant contribution to implementing the Turkmen leader’s constructive initiatives as well as meeting the undertaken commitments by the Turkmen state is obvious. In particular, the meetings with members of the delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) led by Miwa Kato, Programme Management Officer was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Service on Drugs of Turkmenistan on October 18.
During a lively discussion of priority issues of collaboration which is developed successfully within Turkmenistan-UNDOC bilateral cooperation as well as the United Nations Organization it was noted that our country was a party to the relevant UN agreements and conventions, including the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the period of 2012-2015.
When touching upon bilateral cooperation, it should be noted that the chronicle of the October events includes the meetings and talks conducted with a delegation led by Jaromir Jermar, Chair of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic at the Mejlis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and the Institute of International Relations of the MFA of Turkmenistan.
During a meeting the guests emphasized that Czechia highly evaluated and welcomed the constructive peace-building foreign policy of the Turkmen state that paid close attention to promoting cooperation with European partners.
A landmark even in the chronicle of friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation was the presentation of credentials by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus Enver Bariev (October 18) and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic Juraj Sivacek (October 24).
In the context of cooperation with the international organisations a meeting with Jan Kubis, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Under-Secretary-General with Turkmen and foreign journalists which took place at the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) should be mentioned. During the meeting the special message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulating President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation was reflected in the chronicle of the October events of international significance. The special flight organized by the Turkmenhowayollary State National Service took Turkmen pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 30, on the eve of the Muslim festival of Kurban bayramy. On the first day of the hajj our compatriots travelled to Mecca and then Medina.
Another landmark event – a large cargo plane with humanitarian cargo on board for citizens in the Van Province in south-eastern Turkey that was struck by the destructive earthquake left the Ashgabat International Airport on that day.
In accordance with the Order of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov textile goods and flour were delivered to the friendly people of Turkey.
This event fully reflects generosity of the souls and loftiness of the Turkmen people who abiding by the traditions of humanism and mercy that form the foundation of the mentality of the nation sent the needed assistance to the Turkish brothers in a difficult period.
The news that one of the attractions of Ashgabat – the new Turkmenistan Broadcasting Centre or rather its main architectural feature – the huge Oguz Khan star was certified as the world’s largest architectural star came from the Guinness World Records Office on October 30. This fact was confirmed by the international certificate which was presented by a Guinness World Record official Amanda Mochan in the Turkmen capital. This unique architectural facility became another ‘visiting card’ of Ashgabat and our country, some kind of symbol of the epoch of new Revival and Turkmenistan’s aspiration for new heights of progress and creativity.
The last day of October was marked by the visit of a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross led by Ives Arnoldi, Head of the IRRC Regional Delegation for Central Asia. The guests were received at a number of national ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkmenistan Red Crescent Society.
Such was the eventful festive month of the anniversary year when national ministries and department committed to implementing President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s foreign policy initiatives promoted his policy of openness and mutually advantageous cooperation that had been highly evaluated by the international community.
Having proclaiming peacefulness and positive neutrality key principles of the state policy, Turkmenistan steadily moves forward along the chosen path developing friendly relations with all countries of the world and closely cooperating with the authoritative international organisations, particularly with the UN, for peace, security and wellbeing on regional and global scale.
This fact was vividly illustrated during the International Conference on the Foreign Policy of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov: Peace and Steady Development which was held in the Turkmen capital on the first day of October.
The agenda of the high-level forum organized by the Government of Turkmenistan jointly with the Galkynys National Movement focused the tasks deriving from the international initiatives put forward by the Turkmen leader during the 66th session of the UN General Assembly and widely supported by the world community.
The issues related to promotion of bilateral cooperation were a focus of the meetings at the Government of Turkmenistan with Ronald Nash, Co-Chair of the Turkmenistan-UK Trade and Industry Council, who had arrived in the Turkmen capital leading a delegation representing the UK’s business community.
The meeting agenda focused on the progress in implementing bilateral agreements and the prospects for expanding fruitful Turkmen-British partnerships. The fuel and energy and trade and economic sector, transport and communications infrastructure development, use of advanced technologies, tourism and other areas were mentioned as priority areas for cooperation.
The visit of the delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany led by Patrick Meinhardt, a Bundestag deputy and member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of Central Asia should be mentioned in the context of promotion of bilateral cooperation. During the visit to Ashgabat the German guests were received at the Mejlis of Turkmenistan where they discussed the ways to strengthen further inter-parliamentary contacts which served as an essential factor for strengthening bilateral relations.
The meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focused on the prospects of cooperation within the major international structures, including the European Union and the United Nations. In this regard it was underlined that Germany supported the new constructive initiatives for forming architecture of global security able to ensure stability and sustainable progress of the modern world that President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had put forward from the high rostrum of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly. In particular, particular attention was paid to the initiatives for addressing the challenges to peaceful development and economic revival of Afghanistan including through the active involvement of the neighbouring state in implementing regional transport and energy projects.
The fact that delegations of authoritative European states visit Ashgabat is a landmark event, an evidence for the keen interest in Turkmenistan which stands in the world arena as a generator of constructive initiatives for strengthening global peace, security and stability.
The exhibition of Turkmenistan’s economic achievements that brought together over 140 state-run and private enterprises showcased the impressive pace of development of the national economy and an unprecedented scale of the social and economic programmes and ambitious international projects implemented in line with the Turkmen leader’s strategy for fundamental reforms. Ambitious investment projects, innovations, state-of-the-art equipment used in various sectors as well as the country’s achievements in the humanitarian sphere, particularly in the education and science sectors, were presented at the exhibition along with a wide range of industrial products, foodstuff and pieces of applied art.
The exhibition of Turkmenistan’s economic achievements once again provided the guests to our country with an opportunity to get acquainted with the success achieved by dynamically developing Turkmenistan and played an important role in promoting domestically produced goods at the consumers’ market.
The business forum programme included the international conference on the State Regulation of Turkmenistan’s Social and Economic Development: Priority Trends and Development Prospects, which brought together participants from over 10 countries, including the United States, Russia, Belgium, India, Korea, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, etc. The conference agenda focused on such important aspects of Turkmenistan’s economic policy as mitigation of the impact of the world financial and economic crisis and development of conceptual trends of the social policy.
On October 11 Gaffney, Cline & Associates business development manager Jim Gillett gave a press conference in the conference hall of the State News Agency of Turkmenistan. During the press conference Mr. Jim Gillett announced the results of the second stage of the independent audit of Turkmenistan’s largest gas deposits, including Southern Yoloten-Osman, Minara and Yashlar.
The current estimates audit showed that gas reserves in the Southern Yoloten-Osman, Minara and Yashlar gas fields proved to be 26.2 trillion cubic meters of natural gas. The new reserve estimate ranks this natural ‘storage’ as the world’s second largest gas field. This fact is of significant importance for further development of the oil and gas complex of the country as well as for widening the geography of the export of Turkmen energy sources to the world markets. It also makes Turkmenistan attractive for foreign investors and promotes attracting capital of the world business community.
On the same day a delegation of the International Organization for Migration led by Eugenio Ambrosi, Senior Regional Advisor for Europe and Central Asia was received in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
It was noted that the speech of the President of Turkmenistan before the 66th session of the UN General Assembly had testified once again to the importance and timeliness of the Turkmen leader’s international initiatives aimed at the peaceful and sustainable development of the region and the world. In particular, emphasis was put on the significance of the Turkmen leader’s proposal to carry out the work jointly with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees on the introduction of Turkmenistan’s experience in granting citizenship to refugees and stateless persons and organize an International meeting involving all parties concerned in Ashgabat in 2012.
The continuously increasing interest of the world business elite in the Turkmen state as a very promising and dependable partner was convincingly illustrated by the Turkmen-Austrian business forum which was held in the conference hall of the Mizan Business Centre on October 13. The participation of Federal President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer in the meeting gave it special status.
Evidence for Austria’s keen interest in enhancing business partnership with Turkmenistan was the impressive membership of the Austrian delegation representing over thirty firms specializing in oil and gas production, design and construction, finance and investment, information and communications technologies, health care, trade, publishing activity, services of various types.
The meetings and talks held in the framework of the forum spotlighted cooperation in such areas as the fuel and energy sector, transport, industry, trade, education, science and culture, tourism and sport as well as high technologies, particularly alternative energy as the promising fields of a mutually beneficial dialogue. These meeting opened up new opportunities to establish contacts, discuss the prospects of cooperation and devise the plans for further collaboration between ministries and departments, private companies and entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria.
The international community has received evidence on numerous occasions for political far-sightedness and healthy pragmatism of the leader of Turkmenistan. It is no mere chance that the issues related to the progress of Turkmenistan since it gained independence and intensification of business partnerships based on a constructive political dialogue dominated at the international conference entitled “20 Years of Independence of Turkmenistan: Along the Path of Humanism and Justice”, which was held in Ashgabat on October 14. The organizers of the high-level forum were the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan and the Galkynys National Movement.
The conference held to mark the main national holiday and the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan brought together participants from reputable circles, including deputies of the Mejlis, representative of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, country offices of the UN agencies, OSCE and other authoritative international organisations, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministries and departments of Turkmenistan, etc.
The keen interest of foreign guests and representatives of the international organisations in independent neutral Turkmenistan is conditioned not only by its tremendous resource potential and favourable geographical location but also by the Turkmen leader’s constructive and peace-building policy.
The open door policy based on positive neutrality, the favourable investment climate, initiative aspiration for friendly relations, rigorous observance of all partner obligations undertaken – all this has won Turkmenistan the reputation of being a dependable partner oriented towards mutual understanding in international cooperation. This is vividly illustrated by a working visit of Staffan de Mistura, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan to Turkmenistan on October 14.
The discussion of a wide range of aspects of Turkmenistan-United Nations cooperation and exchange of views on critical issues of regional and international politics took place during the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign of Turkmenistan. In particular, much attention was paid to the work towards revival of Afghanistan, the provision of effective support and assistance in restoring social and economic infrastructure and establishing lasting peace and cohesion in the Afghan land.
A landmark event promoting international cooperation of Turkmenistan in the sport sector was the 60th meeting of the Executive Board of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) which was held under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia, a member of the International Olympic Committee in the Turkmen capital on October 16.
The fact that Ashgabat was unanimously chosen to host the OCA Executive Committee for the second time in token of recognition of Turkmenistan’s growing role and contribution to promoting the Olympic movement in Asia.
During the forum the heads of the OCA committees presented the reports on the work done in the reporting period and the prospects for cooperation in sports. The forum participants adopted a number of documents designed to promote the Olympic movement in Asian countries. The OCA Executive Board members were briefed on the preparations for the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which would be held in Incheon, South Korea in 2013.
The presentation of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which will take place in Ashgabat in 2017 in accordance with the decision of the Olympic Council of Asia was a special agenda item. A film describing in detail the Olympic village under construction in the Turkmen capital, the largest facility of its kind in the Central Asian region where the 2017 Asian Games will be held, was demonstrated during the forum.
The ceremony of opening the Turkmen-Indian Information Technology Centre took place at Magtymguly Turkmen State University a day later, on October 17. A delegation of the Republic of India led by Sachin Pilot, Minister of State Communications and Information had arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the ceremony.
The new educational centre established in accordance with the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan under the Memorandum between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India in Ashgabat last February was a new step to promote the state science and education policy.
The new training centre established in accordance with the Resolution of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov under the Memorandum between the Government of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India signed in Ashgabat in February 2010 was a new step to promote the state science and education policy.
As for international contacts which took place in October at the level of ministries and departments, their significant contribution to implementing the Turkmen leader’s constructive initiatives as well as meeting the undertaken commitments by the Turkmen state is obvious. In particular, the meetings with members of the delegation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) led by Miwa Kato, Programme Management Officer was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Service on Drugs of Turkmenistan on October 18.
During a lively discussion of priority issues of collaboration which is developed successfully within Turkmenistan-UNDOC bilateral cooperation as well as the United Nations Organization it was noted that our country was a party to the relevant UN agreements and conventions, including the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the period of 2012-2015.
When touching upon bilateral cooperation, it should be noted that the chronicle of the October events includes the meetings and talks conducted with a delegation led by Jaromir Jermar, Chair of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic at the Mejlis, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and the Institute of International Relations of the MFA of Turkmenistan.
During a meeting the guests emphasized that Czechia highly evaluated and welcomed the constructive peace-building foreign policy of the Turkmen state that paid close attention to promoting cooperation with European partners.
A landmark even in the chronicle of friendship and mutually advantageous cooperation was the presentation of credentials by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus Enver Bariev (October 18) and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic Juraj Sivacek (October 24).
In the context of cooperation with the international organisations a meeting with Jan Kubis, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), United Nations Under-Secretary-General with Turkmen and foreign journalists which took place at the Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA) should be mentioned. During the meeting the special message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulating President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation was reflected in the chronicle of the October events of international significance. The special flight organized by the Turkmenhowayollary State National Service took Turkmen pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 30, on the eve of the Muslim festival of Kurban bayramy. On the first day of the hajj our compatriots travelled to Mecca and then Medina.
Another landmark event – a large cargo plane with humanitarian cargo on board for citizens in the Van Province in south-eastern Turkey that was struck by the destructive earthquake left the Ashgabat International Airport on that day.
In accordance with the Order of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov textile goods and flour were delivered to the friendly people of Turkey.
This event fully reflects generosity of the souls and loftiness of the Turkmen people who abiding by the traditions of humanism and mercy that form the foundation of the mentality of the nation sent the needed assistance to the Turkish brothers in a difficult period.
The news that one of the attractions of Ashgabat – the new Turkmenistan Broadcasting Centre or rather its main architectural feature – the huge Oguz Khan star was certified as the world’s largest architectural star came from the Guinness World Records Office on October 30. This fact was confirmed by the international certificate which was presented by a Guinness World Record official Amanda Mochan in the Turkmen capital. This unique architectural facility became another ‘visiting card’ of Ashgabat and our country, some kind of symbol of the epoch of new Revival and Turkmenistan’s aspiration for new heights of progress and creativity.
The last day of October was marked by the visit of a delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross led by Ives Arnoldi, Head of the IRRC Regional Delegation for Central Asia. The guests were received at a number of national ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkmenistan Red Crescent Society.
Such was the eventful festive month of the anniversary year when national ministries and department committed to implementing President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s foreign policy initiatives promoted his policy of openness and mutually advantageous cooperation that had been highly evaluated by the international community.