The first week of the current year, 2024, with the motto "Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi," was marked by a series of events that vividly reflected the goals of the progressive policy pursued by the Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov. These events included the strengthening of the country's economic power, the consistent improving the welfare of the Turkmen people and deepening constructive dialogue with all interested countries.

On January 4, a phone conversation took place between the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi. 

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov expressed deep condolences on behalf of the people, the Hero-Arkadag, and himself personally, in connection with the terrorist act in the city of Kerman, Iran, which resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

During the conversation, the interlocutors noted that the relations between the fraternal countries have been enriched with new content in recent years and developed both in bilateral format and within the framework international organizations.

It was emphasized that Iran is one of the countries with which Turkmenistan traditionally maintains trade and economic partnership. Emphasis was placed on the prospects of cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, transportation and communications, light industry, agriculture and processing industry.

The cultural and humanitarian sphere was also identified as a priority area of cooperation.

On January 6, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the digital system, the agenda of which included issues related to the vital activities of the state.

Among the topics discussed were the work carried out by the Mejlis to draft a new version of the Civil Code, the Laws "On Energy Saving and Efficient Use of Energy", "On Hydrometeorological Activities", as well as amendments and additions to a number of existing legislative acts.

It was reported on the development of Work Plans for 2024 on economic and financial-banking sector, comprehensive modernization of enterprises of textile industry, work to strengthen cyber security in the country and training of high-level specialists in this field, material and technical equipment of educational and scientific base, the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns.

There was announced information about the organization of celebrations and events on the occasion of the proclamation of the city of Anau as the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2024, international Olympiads, scientific-practical conferences and exhibitions in Turkmenistan's universities in March-April of this year. 

It was also proposed to hold an International Conference at the level of ministers of culture in May and a Summit at the level of Heads of Government and States in Ashgabat in October 2024, marked by the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly and held under the motto "Fount of Wisdom Magtymguly Fragi". 

In addition, the President of Turkmenistan was informed about the results of the working visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the United Arab Emirates, which took place on January 4-5 this year. 

President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of the agreements reached during the visit and the signed comprehensive package of documents aimed at taking the intergovernmental dialogue to qualitatively new levels. He addressed specific instructions to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

It should be noted that the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the Middle East is one of the priority vectors of our country's foreign policy. The relations between Turkmenistan and the UAE occupy a special place. Regular bilateral meetings serve as a solid political basis for further comprehensive deepening of the productive intergovernmental dialogue established in recent years. 

On the first day of the visit, a meeting took place between the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Al Shatie Palace. 

The talks covered a wide range of issues related to the development of political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres of interstate cooperation.

The parties confirmed their mutual intention to continue to pay increased attention to the development of traditional dialogue in the interests of both countries and their fraternal peoples.

The National Leader of the Turkmen people noted the successful partnership with financial institutions of the United Arab Emirates, as well as in areas such as energy, transportation and communication, industrial and agro-industrial complex and high technologies.

Special emphasis was made on the importance of expanding interstate relations in the fields of science, culture and sports.

At the end of the meeting, Arkadag invited Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Turkmenistan at his convenience.

In Abu Dhabi, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held a meeting with Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Al Ariqi, representative of the President of the UAE for affairs with Turkmenistan.

During the negotiations, the sides discussed issues of expanding Turkmen-Emirati cooperation in trade and economic, banking and financial, fuel and energy sectors.

Turkmenistan pays great attention to the development of "green" energy and the promotion of projects for the widespread use of renewable energy sources.

The transport and communication sector was also identified as a prospective area of interaction.

Issues of enhancing cooperation in the transport sector and effectively utilizing the transport and transit potential of our country were discussed during a working meeting, held by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, with the participation of some Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and other leaders, including the energy sector.

On the second day of the working visit, the Hero-Arkadag arrived in Dubai, the largest economic, cultural and tourist center of the United Arab Emirates, where he held a meeting with Saeed Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dragon Oil.

The parties discussed the possibilities of further enhancing the long-standing successful cooperation, taking into account the accumulated solid experience of joint work and the grand plans of Turkmenistan for the further development of the domestic fuel and energy complex.

As noted, among the top priorities of this key sector of the national economy are increasing the volumes of oil and natural gas production and processing, as well as the export of Turkmen energy resources and finished oil and gas chemical products.

These goals are the basis of Turkmenistan's energy policy, aimed at putting the country's wealth at the service of all humanity.

Thus, the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is intended to give a powerful impetus to the socio-economic development of the entire Asian region. It is expected that in the future, the third stage of the development of the giant Galkynysh field will become the source for supplying "blue fuel" through this main pipeline.

In this regard, the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty invited partners and investors from the UAE to participate in the implementation of new energy projects related to the construction of gas pipeline infrastructure for the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the countries of the region and other states.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Concern "Türkmennebit" and the Company "Dragon Oil (Turkmenistan) Ltd" was held at the end of the meeting

On the same day, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer of Dubai Aviation Corporation ("Flydubai").

As noted, representatives of the business circles of the UAE are interested in close cooperation with Turkmenistan. Thanks to the cooperation between Turkmen Airlines and Dubai Aviation Corporation, regular flights are made on the Ashgabat-Dubai-Ashgabat route. Moreover, air communication has been established between the capitals of the two countries - Ashgabat and Abu Dhabi, which will directly contribute to the intensification of interstate relations, particularly in trade and economic sphere.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Dubai Aviation Corporation highly appreciated the modern infrastructure of the aviation industry created in Turkmenistan in recent years, the coordinated work of its technical services, and confirmed "Flydubai's" desire to expand mutually beneficial partnership. In particular, the proposal was made to increase the number of flights between the two countries.

At the same time, it was noted that there are prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation not only in the training of qualified aviation personnel but also in the provision of technical support and services, as well as the supply of innovative equipment.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the "Türkmenhowaýollary" of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and Dubai Aviation Corporation was held at the end of the meeting.

The high efficiency of the working visit of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the UAE is evidenced by other important documents signed during the two-day visit.

Among them are: Memorandum of Understanding between the State Concern "Türkmengaz" and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) (the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is the intention of the Parties to attract certain strategic partners for the development of the Galkynysh Phase III field and their possible participation in the implementation of energy projects related to the construction of gas pipeline infrastructure for the supply of natural gas to countries of the region and other states); Memorandum of Cooperation between the State Concern "Türkmengaz" and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) (the purpose of this Memorandum of Cooperation is the intention of the Parties to explore potential opportunities for mutually beneficial scientific, technical, and economic cooperation in the field of methane emission reduction); an Agreement on Cooperation between the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan and the First Abu Dhabi Bank. 

In accordance with the agreement on the establishment of air communication reached during the working visit of the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the UAE, the first flight from Ashgabat to Abu Dhabi was made by a new passenger aircraft "Boeing 777-300 ER", which joined the country's air fleet in early January this year.

It became the second aircraft of this series, for the purchase of which a contract was concluded with the world-famous American aerospace company "Boeing" according to the relevant Decree of the President of Turkmenistan. The first aircraft was received by the air carrier "Türkmenistan" in early December of last year. 

Moving on to other events of the week, it should be noted that the children of the "Döwletliler köşgi" Palace were presented with holiday gifts on behalf of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the first day of the new  year.

Ayaz baba, Garpamyk, the symbol of 2024 - the Fish, as well as representatives of the Mejlis, Halk Maslahaty, a number of ministries, departments and public organizations came to congratulate the children on the New Year.

Young Turkmen citizens demonstrated their creative abilities to the guests, enthusiastically recited poems, performed lively dances and inspirational songs glorifying their beloved Motherland and dedicated to the New Year holiday.

In general, the events of the past week once again reflected the confident progress of the country along the path of progress due to the successful policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, aimed at the well-being and happiness of the Turkmen people, the prosperity of the Motherland and the implementation of its peacemaking foreign policy course.