Peace, humanity, common wellbeing and progress – in the name of these noble aims Turkmenistan pursues open-door friendly foreign policy that has won our country the well-deserved high prestige worldwide, recognition and support from the world community. A striking illustration is the events which took place in May 2011.
On May 5-6, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid the official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In Tashkent the leaders of the two friendly states discussed a wide range of aspects of cooperation in the context of the bilateral agreements and the prospects of mutually beneficial partnership and exchanged views on critical issues of regional and international politics.
It is quite natural that the top level talks focused on the approaches to strengthening peace, stability and security in the Central Asian region.
In the Joint Communiqué the leaders of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan underlined the need to promote further and enhance mutually beneficial trade and economic partnerships.
Emphasis was also placed on the importance of fostering cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, particularly for the development of the global system of energy security, the construction of the largest gas pipeline on the Eurasian continent from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to China and the elaboration of the options for energy transit from the region to world market, including the European market.
The intergovernmental agreements on the establishment of trading houses in Ashgabat and Tashkent and scientific and technical cooperation and the agreements to intensify cooperation in the agro-industrial and other strategic sectors are to give powerful incentives to fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in priority fields.
The humanitarian dialogue based on the centuries-old cultural and spiritual traditions which have been maintained in a worthy manner today is certainly an essential component of Turkmen-Uzbek relationships as is vividly evidenced by the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Library of the National Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan and Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan and the Turkmen leader’s trip to Bukhara during his official visit to Uzbekistan.
On May 3-6, the Coordinating Committee of the Serial World Heritage Nomination of the Silk Road held the second meeting in Ashgabat. The official representatives from 12 countries of the world, high-ranking officials of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the International Institute for Central Asian Studies and experts from the University College London attended the meeting.
Turkmenistan presented 25 sites located on major routes of the Silk Road between the large ancient cities such as Dekhistan, Nisa, Merv, Sarahs, Amul, Kunya Urgench for consideration by the Coordinating Committee. The preliminary nomination file for these sites developed by the National Department for Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments was evaluated highly by international experts and recommended for further elaboration.
The memory and intergenerational continuity – this was the prevailing idea of the celebrations carried out throughout Turkmenistan in honour of the 66th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
On May 9, citizens of Turkmenistan laid bouquets of spring flowers in tribute to the memory of defenders of the Fatherland to the monuments commemorating the feat of arms of National Heroes who had fought for freedom and independence of the Motherland. Numerous art and book exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances and the meetings with war veterans and heroes on the homefront, who set an example of courage, fortitude and patriotism for our youth, were dedicated to the national holiday.
The buildings and facilities put into operation to mark the Victory Day include the building complex in a frontier post of the Ashgabat frontier detachment. It includes the apartment house with modern conveniences for officers and their families, the grounds for playing football, basketball, volleyball and other games. One of the building houses the Galkynysh room, library, gym, dining room and auxiliary premises. There are a filling station and the special premises for horses and dogs that help Turkmen border guards every day to protect the borders of the Motherland.
Developing new forms of partnership with European states is a critical aspect of the foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan as is illustrated by the official visit of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Romania.
This visit which took place on May 11-13 became a new effective step to promote the fruitful dialogue between the friendly countries, including within the European Union.
During the talks in Bucharest the leader of Turkmenistan and President Traian Basescu focused on major options and new possibilities for diversification of cooperation to strengthen peace, security and stability in Central Asia, southern Europe and all over the world and exchanged views on other issues of the global agenda.
The leaders of the two states paid particular attention to energy cooperation for this sphere arouses keen interest based on the tremendous hydrocarbon potential of Turkmenistan that consistently pursues the strategy for diversifying energy transit to world markets as well as the growing energy needs in European countries.
The success of the Turkmen-Romanian top level talks is illustrated by the package of bilateral documents including the Action Plan between the Ministry Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the minutes of the second meeting of the Turkmenistan-Romania Commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation which was held during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Romania.
The vast opportunities for Turkmen-Romanian cooperation are opened up in the transport and communication sectors for the geographical location of the two countries. The sides signed the Protocol on the transport corridor between the Constantsa seaport on the Black Se and the Turkmenbashi seaport on the Caspian Sea in Bucharest. Most of the documents signed in Bucharest are aimed at promoting cooperation in the spheres of science and education, particularly establishing cooperation between leading research and educational centres of Turkmenistan and Romania.
The Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification held its 39th Meeting in the Avaza national tourism zone On May 11-13. the forum brought together heads, specialists and experts of the national bodies for technical regulations, standardization, metrology and accreditation and their partners representing the major international and regional organisations from over 20 countries worldwide in Turkmenistan that is presiding over Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification in 2011 rum.
The United States, China, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Austria, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan is not the ‘full’ geography of participants of the International Exhibition and Scientific Conference on Sports and Tourism of the Epoch of Great Revival which was held in Ashgabat in May. 80 participants representing the world-renowned companies and firms took part in the forum this year.
Turkmenistan widely and solemnly celebrated the Day of Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry and the Constitution Day on May 18. In the new historical epoch this holiday coinciding with the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Turkmenistan embodies the continuity of epochs and generations, indissoluble unity and solidarity of the Turkmen people, their immutable commitment to the high humanistic values and ideals and the strategy for peace and progress.
The versatile programme of cultural actions and building premieres which were held throughout the country was prepared to mark the remarkable date of the national calendar. These include the ceremony of opening the new school building the Ashyk Aydyn Gengeshlik in Ruhubelent Etrap in Dashoguz Velayat. Several families in Ashgabat received the keys to new apartments in the 12-storey house built on 10 Yyl Abadanchylyk Street at the request of the Turkmenobahyzmat Association.
Speaking during the ceremony of opening the Monument to the Constitution in Ashgabat on May 18, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that “having assimilated the extensive national and international experiences in state formation, the new Constitution of Turkmenistan focuses on the important tasks to build a democratic, jural, secular and society oriented state that is building a market economy and guaranteeing the high social and living conditions to citizens.”
The Oguzkhan Presidential Palace and the Nusay five-star hotel that adorned the historical centre of Ashgabat added bright colours to the celebrations in honour of the Constitution Day and the Day of Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry. Each of them is to symbolize the high international prestige of Turkmenistan, the country which is one of the centres of earliest civilizations and sees spiritual and cultural revival today.
The monuments to Magtumguly in different regions of Turkmenistan and the memorials monuments commemorating the outstanding Turkmen thinker in Iran and many other countries were buried in flowers these days. The Turkmen delegation made a pilgrimage to the burial places of the great Turkmen classic poets Magtymguly Fraghi and Dovletmammed Azady in the Golestan Province of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Participants of the Dünýä türkmenleri Arkadag bilen forum expressed support for the Turkmen leader’s progressive undertakings and his versatile political and international activity on behalf of millions of ethnic Turkmens who reside in foreign countries. The forum was held in Ashgabat to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Humanitarian Association of the World Turkmen.
An exhibition of commodities produced in the United States of America was arranged at the Sergi köşgi Exhibition Centre on May 19-20. The high-level delegation led by Principal Deputy Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt and Executive Director of the Turkmenistan-US Business Council Eric Stewart arrived in Ashgabat to take part in this large-scale economic action and the Turkmenistan-US business forum. Forum participants represented over 60 US companies, which rank as world’s leading commodity manufacturers, which offered their technologies, expertise and services to Turkmen partners.
The Turkmen-Germany Business Forum which brought together participants representing about 50 organisations, financial structures and private companies from the Federal Republic of Germany was quite fruitful. The forum agenda focused on the approaches to enhancing cooperation in the whole spectrum of fields, particularly including the fuel and energy, construction, building materials, transport and communications sectors.
The May events specifically highlighted the priority aspects of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and economic strategy which are aimed at strengthening peace, stability and security in Central Asia and on the planet. Vivid evidence for this is the initiatives put forward by the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during the talks with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in Ashgabat to facilitate building up Turkmen-Afghan cooperation.
This visit, which resulted in signing the Treaty of friendship and Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Islamic republic of Afghanistan and a number of other important documents, became a critical step to promote and enhance the constructive political dialogue and expand trade and economic relations and humanitarian contacts between the brotherly peoples of the two neighbouring states.
The top level agreements the two countries reached in such critical spheres as the fuel and energy, power, transport and communications sectors showed once again that Turkmenistan stood ready to use its tremendous energy potential and favourable geopolitical location in the interests of global peace and sustainable socio-economic development.
The preliminary results of the new audit of hydrocarbon reserves of the Southern Yoloten-Osman gas field presented by the British firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates during the II Gas Congress, which took place in the Avaza national tourism zone on May 25-26, drew a wide response in the political and business circles worldwide. According to expert estimates, this huge gas field located in the Amu Darya basin was placed second in the world.
The Gas Congress and exhibition brought together participants representing of 160 international organisations and companies, energy ministries and departments from over 30 countries of the world. The main themes under discussion included diversification of energy transit to world markets, international cooperation and investment, development of national and regional gas transportation infrastructure.
In this context emphasis was placed on the increasingly important role of Turkmenistan as a major gas exporter to Eurasian energy markets as is illustrated by boosted supply of Turkmen ‘blue fuel’ via the new gas pipelines to the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the intense work towards the development of new energy routes, including across Afghanistan and towards Europe.
The other major May 2011 events include the opening of the Information Centre for Human Rights at the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan. The Centre was opened under the joint projects implemented by the Government of Turkmenistan, the European Union, the UN Development Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Such a topical theme as the adoption of advanced technologies and teaching methods in the education sector was considered during the international scientific and methodological conference in Ashgabat. This forum brought together scientists, school teachers, university professors, experts in information and communications technologies, specialists of international organisations and the companies specialising in educational software.
The National Programme for Early Childhood Development and School Readiness for 2011-2015 was adopted in Turkmenistan in late May. The Programme was developed jointly by the ministries and departments concerned with the assistance of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in line with the key aspects of the state policy in this sphere and the major provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Several building premieres took place in Lebap Velayat. In particular, the new administrative building of the Lebap Velayat Department of the Turkmenbashi State Commercial Bank and an apartment house with modern conveniences were put into operation. An out-patient clinic supplied with state-of-the-art medical equipment was opened in Tolekguyi settlement of the Tallimerjan farmers association.
Our country widely and solemnly celebrated the Turkmen Carpet day on May 29. In 2011 this holiday observed in our country each year on the last Sunday of May was marked by the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan.
The glorious history of the Turkmen art of carpet weaving goes back to the epoch of Oguz Khan. None of its traditions has been lost over 5,000 years! On that day the National Turkmen Carpet Museum and other museums throughout the country received thousands of visitors who came to see the masterpieces created by Turkmen craftswomen. These include the wonderful carpets presented in the exposition of the International Exhibition entitled “The Turkmen Carpet is the Soul of the Turkmen People” which was held in Ashgabat a day before the XI Conference of the World Association of Connoisseurs of the Turkmen Hand Carpet Weaving.
Addressing forum participants, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that “the art of carpet weaving is our invaluable heritage. We say that water is the life of the Turkmen people, the ‘heavenly’ horse is their wings and the carpet is the hymn of their soul.” The Turkmen leader’s heartfelt words explain why unsurpassed craftsmanship of Turkmen women will be an unattainable summit of harmony of colours, patterns, talent and mastery today, tomorrow and always.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held the talks with President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul, who arrived for a working visit to Turkmenistan, in the Avaza national tourism zone on May 30.
During the talks the leaders of the two brotherly nations considered a wide range of issues of regional and international politics and critical aspects of interstate relationships. The sides analyzed the outcomes of the bilateral agreements and considered the possibilities to intensify economic and humanitarian partnership.
President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General of the Army Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting the State Security Council during the working trip to Balkan Velayat. The agenda focused on the work carried out by the military and law enforcement agencies and the measures taken to strengthen the material and technical basis and optimize the activity of these agencies.
Ashgabat hosted the Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states on May 31 which took place at the UN regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy. Meeting participants discussed the issues related to stability and security in the region and elaborating the optimal mutually acceptable approaches to addressing challenges facing Central Asia states, including environmental protection, energy efficiency, effective water management, mitigation of the impact of external factors on region stability, etc.
Enhancing the scientific and technical potential – this theme has become particularly critical in recent years particularly after the National Space Agency was founded. In this context the vast opportunities are opened up for Turkmenistan to promote international cooperation with the leading research centres worldwide in such spheres as astronomy, astroseismology and meteorology.
In a word, the Turkmen leader’s initiative to found the National Space Agency is a critical step that will enable Turkmenistan to bring the national science to a qualitatively new level, apply scientific and technical advances in the national economy and significantly contribute to tackling global development issues.
Such are the significant May events which made a profound contribution to the treasury of outstanding achievements of the year 2011.
On May 5-6, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid the official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In Tashkent the leaders of the two friendly states discussed a wide range of aspects of cooperation in the context of the bilateral agreements and the prospects of mutually beneficial partnership and exchanged views on critical issues of regional and international politics.
It is quite natural that the top level talks focused on the approaches to strengthening peace, stability and security in the Central Asian region.
In the Joint Communiqué the leaders of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan underlined the need to promote further and enhance mutually beneficial trade and economic partnerships.
Emphasis was also placed on the importance of fostering cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, particularly for the development of the global system of energy security, the construction of the largest gas pipeline on the Eurasian continent from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to China and the elaboration of the options for energy transit from the region to world market, including the European market.
The intergovernmental agreements on the establishment of trading houses in Ashgabat and Tashkent and scientific and technical cooperation and the agreements to intensify cooperation in the agro-industrial and other strategic sectors are to give powerful incentives to fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in priority fields.
The humanitarian dialogue based on the centuries-old cultural and spiritual traditions which have been maintained in a worthy manner today is certainly an essential component of Turkmen-Uzbek relationships as is vividly evidenced by the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Library of the National Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan and Alisher Navoi National Library of Uzbekistan and the Turkmen leader’s trip to Bukhara during his official visit to Uzbekistan.
On May 3-6, the Coordinating Committee of the Serial World Heritage Nomination of the Silk Road held the second meeting in Ashgabat. The official representatives from 12 countries of the world, high-ranking officials of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the International Institute for Central Asian Studies and experts from the University College London attended the meeting.
Turkmenistan presented 25 sites located on major routes of the Silk Road between the large ancient cities such as Dekhistan, Nisa, Merv, Sarahs, Amul, Kunya Urgench for consideration by the Coordinating Committee. The preliminary nomination file for these sites developed by the National Department for Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments was evaluated highly by international experts and recommended for further elaboration.
The memory and intergenerational continuity – this was the prevailing idea of the celebrations carried out throughout Turkmenistan in honour of the 66th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
On May 9, citizens of Turkmenistan laid bouquets of spring flowers in tribute to the memory of defenders of the Fatherland to the monuments commemorating the feat of arms of National Heroes who had fought for freedom and independence of the Motherland. Numerous art and book exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances and the meetings with war veterans and heroes on the homefront, who set an example of courage, fortitude and patriotism for our youth, were dedicated to the national holiday.
The buildings and facilities put into operation to mark the Victory Day include the building complex in a frontier post of the Ashgabat frontier detachment. It includes the apartment house with modern conveniences for officers and their families, the grounds for playing football, basketball, volleyball and other games. One of the building houses the Galkynysh room, library, gym, dining room and auxiliary premises. There are a filling station and the special premises for horses and dogs that help Turkmen border guards every day to protect the borders of the Motherland.
Developing new forms of partnership with European states is a critical aspect of the foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan as is illustrated by the official visit of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to Romania.
This visit which took place on May 11-13 became a new effective step to promote the fruitful dialogue between the friendly countries, including within the European Union.
During the talks in Bucharest the leader of Turkmenistan and President Traian Basescu focused on major options and new possibilities for diversification of cooperation to strengthen peace, security and stability in Central Asia, southern Europe and all over the world and exchanged views on other issues of the global agenda.
The leaders of the two states paid particular attention to energy cooperation for this sphere arouses keen interest based on the tremendous hydrocarbon potential of Turkmenistan that consistently pursues the strategy for diversifying energy transit to world markets as well as the growing energy needs in European countries.
The success of the Turkmen-Romanian top level talks is illustrated by the package of bilateral documents including the Action Plan between the Ministry Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the minutes of the second meeting of the Turkmenistan-Romania Commission for economic, scientific and technical cooperation which was held during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan to Romania.
The vast opportunities for Turkmen-Romanian cooperation are opened up in the transport and communication sectors for the geographical location of the two countries. The sides signed the Protocol on the transport corridor between the Constantsa seaport on the Black Se and the Turkmenbashi seaport on the Caspian Sea in Bucharest. Most of the documents signed in Bucharest are aimed at promoting cooperation in the spheres of science and education, particularly establishing cooperation between leading research and educational centres of Turkmenistan and Romania.
The Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification held its 39th Meeting in the Avaza national tourism zone On May 11-13. the forum brought together heads, specialists and experts of the national bodies for technical regulations, standardization, metrology and accreditation and their partners representing the major international and regional organisations from over 20 countries worldwide in Turkmenistan that is presiding over Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification in 2011 rum.
The United States, China, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Austria, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Iran, India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan is not the ‘full’ geography of participants of the International Exhibition and Scientific Conference on Sports and Tourism of the Epoch of Great Revival which was held in Ashgabat in May. 80 participants representing the world-renowned companies and firms took part in the forum this year.
Turkmenistan widely and solemnly celebrated the Day of Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry and the Constitution Day on May 18. In the new historical epoch this holiday coinciding with the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of Turkmenistan embodies the continuity of epochs and generations, indissoluble unity and solidarity of the Turkmen people, their immutable commitment to the high humanistic values and ideals and the strategy for peace and progress.
The versatile programme of cultural actions and building premieres which were held throughout the country was prepared to mark the remarkable date of the national calendar. These include the ceremony of opening the new school building the Ashyk Aydyn Gengeshlik in Ruhubelent Etrap in Dashoguz Velayat. Several families in Ashgabat received the keys to new apartments in the 12-storey house built on 10 Yyl Abadanchylyk Street at the request of the Turkmenobahyzmat Association.
Speaking during the ceremony of opening the Monument to the Constitution in Ashgabat on May 18, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that “having assimilated the extensive national and international experiences in state formation, the new Constitution of Turkmenistan focuses on the important tasks to build a democratic, jural, secular and society oriented state that is building a market economy and guaranteeing the high social and living conditions to citizens.”
The Oguzkhan Presidential Palace and the Nusay five-star hotel that adorned the historical centre of Ashgabat added bright colours to the celebrations in honour of the Constitution Day and the Day of Revival, Unity and Magtymguly’s Poetry. Each of them is to symbolize the high international prestige of Turkmenistan, the country which is one of the centres of earliest civilizations and sees spiritual and cultural revival today.
The monuments to Magtumguly in different regions of Turkmenistan and the memorials monuments commemorating the outstanding Turkmen thinker in Iran and many other countries were buried in flowers these days. The Turkmen delegation made a pilgrimage to the burial places of the great Turkmen classic poets Magtymguly Fraghi and Dovletmammed Azady in the Golestan Province of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Participants of the Dünýä türkmenleri Arkadag bilen forum expressed support for the Turkmen leader’s progressive undertakings and his versatile political and international activity on behalf of millions of ethnic Turkmens who reside in foreign countries. The forum was held in Ashgabat to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Humanitarian Association of the World Turkmen.
An exhibition of commodities produced in the United States of America was arranged at the Sergi köşgi Exhibition Centre on May 19-20. The high-level delegation led by Principal Deputy Secretary Geoffrey Pyatt and Executive Director of the Turkmenistan-US Business Council Eric Stewart arrived in Ashgabat to take part in this large-scale economic action and the Turkmenistan-US business forum. Forum participants represented over 60 US companies, which rank as world’s leading commodity manufacturers, which offered their technologies, expertise and services to Turkmen partners.
The Turkmen-Germany Business Forum which brought together participants representing about 50 organisations, financial structures and private companies from the Federal Republic of Germany was quite fruitful. The forum agenda focused on the approaches to enhancing cooperation in the whole spectrum of fields, particularly including the fuel and energy, construction, building materials, transport and communications sectors.
The May events specifically highlighted the priority aspects of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy and economic strategy which are aimed at strengthening peace, stability and security in Central Asia and on the planet. Vivid evidence for this is the initiatives put forward by the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during the talks with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in Ashgabat to facilitate building up Turkmen-Afghan cooperation.
This visit, which resulted in signing the Treaty of friendship and Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Islamic republic of Afghanistan and a number of other important documents, became a critical step to promote and enhance the constructive political dialogue and expand trade and economic relations and humanitarian contacts between the brotherly peoples of the two neighbouring states.
The top level agreements the two countries reached in such critical spheres as the fuel and energy, power, transport and communications sectors showed once again that Turkmenistan stood ready to use its tremendous energy potential and favourable geopolitical location in the interests of global peace and sustainable socio-economic development.
The preliminary results of the new audit of hydrocarbon reserves of the Southern Yoloten-Osman gas field presented by the British firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates during the II Gas Congress, which took place in the Avaza national tourism zone on May 25-26, drew a wide response in the political and business circles worldwide. According to expert estimates, this huge gas field located in the Amu Darya basin was placed second in the world.
The Gas Congress and exhibition brought together participants representing of 160 international organisations and companies, energy ministries and departments from over 30 countries of the world. The main themes under discussion included diversification of energy transit to world markets, international cooperation and investment, development of national and regional gas transportation infrastructure.
In this context emphasis was placed on the increasingly important role of Turkmenistan as a major gas exporter to Eurasian energy markets as is illustrated by boosted supply of Turkmen ‘blue fuel’ via the new gas pipelines to the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the intense work towards the development of new energy routes, including across Afghanistan and towards Europe.
The other major May 2011 events include the opening of the Information Centre for Human Rights at the Turkmen National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan. The Centre was opened under the joint projects implemented by the Government of Turkmenistan, the European Union, the UN Development Programme and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Such a topical theme as the adoption of advanced technologies and teaching methods in the education sector was considered during the international scientific and methodological conference in Ashgabat. This forum brought together scientists, school teachers, university professors, experts in information and communications technologies, specialists of international organisations and the companies specialising in educational software.
The National Programme for Early Childhood Development and School Readiness for 2011-2015 was adopted in Turkmenistan in late May. The Programme was developed jointly by the ministries and departments concerned with the assistance of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in line with the key aspects of the state policy in this sphere and the major provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Several building premieres took place in Lebap Velayat. In particular, the new administrative building of the Lebap Velayat Department of the Turkmenbashi State Commercial Bank and an apartment house with modern conveniences were put into operation. An out-patient clinic supplied with state-of-the-art medical equipment was opened in Tolekguyi settlement of the Tallimerjan farmers association.
Our country widely and solemnly celebrated the Turkmen Carpet day on May 29. In 2011 this holiday observed in our country each year on the last Sunday of May was marked by the 20th anniversary of independence of Turkmenistan.
The glorious history of the Turkmen art of carpet weaving goes back to the epoch of Oguz Khan. None of its traditions has been lost over 5,000 years! On that day the National Turkmen Carpet Museum and other museums throughout the country received thousands of visitors who came to see the masterpieces created by Turkmen craftswomen. These include the wonderful carpets presented in the exposition of the International Exhibition entitled “The Turkmen Carpet is the Soul of the Turkmen People” which was held in Ashgabat a day before the XI Conference of the World Association of Connoisseurs of the Turkmen Hand Carpet Weaving.
Addressing forum participants, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that “the art of carpet weaving is our invaluable heritage. We say that water is the life of the Turkmen people, the ‘heavenly’ horse is their wings and the carpet is the hymn of their soul.” The Turkmen leader’s heartfelt words explain why unsurpassed craftsmanship of Turkmen women will be an unattainable summit of harmony of colours, patterns, talent and mastery today, tomorrow and always.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held the talks with President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul, who arrived for a working visit to Turkmenistan, in the Avaza national tourism zone on May 30.
During the talks the leaders of the two brotherly nations considered a wide range of issues of regional and international politics and critical aspects of interstate relationships. The sides analyzed the outcomes of the bilateral agreements and considered the possibilities to intensify economic and humanitarian partnership.
President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General of the Army Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held a meeting the State Security Council during the working trip to Balkan Velayat. The agenda focused on the work carried out by the military and law enforcement agencies and the measures taken to strengthen the material and technical basis and optimize the activity of these agencies.
Ashgabat hosted the Meeting of Deputy Foreign Ministers of Central Asian states on May 31 which took place at the UN regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy. Meeting participants discussed the issues related to stability and security in the region and elaborating the optimal mutually acceptable approaches to addressing challenges facing Central Asia states, including environmental protection, energy efficiency, effective water management, mitigation of the impact of external factors on region stability, etc.
Enhancing the scientific and technical potential – this theme has become particularly critical in recent years particularly after the National Space Agency was founded. In this context the vast opportunities are opened up for Turkmenistan to promote international cooperation with the leading research centres worldwide in such spheres as astronomy, astroseismology and meteorology.
In a word, the Turkmen leader’s initiative to found the National Space Agency is a critical step that will enable Turkmenistan to bring the national science to a qualitatively new level, apply scientific and technical advances in the national economy and significantly contribute to tackling global development issues.
Such are the significant May events which made a profound contribution to the treasury of outstanding achievements of the year 2011.