President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held extended New Year session of the Cabinet of Ministers with the participation of the representative of national diplomatic corps.Number of important subjects of home and foreign policy of the country has been reviewed at the session where representatives of the Mejlis, heads of diplomatic and consulate missions of our country accredited in foreign states, hyakims of the velayats as well as directors of universities, editors on newspapers, leaders of public organizations were invited.
Having announced the agenda, the Head of the State gave floor to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers G.Myradov who reported on the situation in the structure under his supervision as well as on the implementation of new edition of National Programme of the President of Turkmenistan on reformation of social and living conditions of rural population until 2020 and other state and profile programmes.
It was informed that all measures for successful fulfilment of planned objectives by the ministries and departments has been taken during the year.This is indicated by preliminary indices of the branches, at the same time.
The works for improvement of purchasing power and support of stable exchange rate of national currency, fulfilment of the State budget, state support and stimulation of small and medium business, opening of new production facilities in private sector have been carried out.
The information about the reforms in agricultural complex has been also presented.In particular, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the report on practical measures for economic stimulation of the farmers.
Increment of the state purchasing prices on cotton and wheat, approval of the volumes of special land fund of agricultural purpose for the lands of farming associations for cultivation of fruits and vegetables, improvement of the terms of crediting of agricultural producers, revision of the structure of arable lands have been mentioned among the measures.
Gradual work for solution of the objectives outlined in the Concept of Development of Digital Economy in Turkmenistan in 2019 2025 as well as the elaboration on the Draft Programme of the President of Turkmenistan on Social and Economic Development of the Country in 2019 2025 have been separate subjects of the report.
Reporting on preliminary results of development of national economy, the Vice-premier informed that the growth of the GDP will be provided on 6.2 percent level.Deputy Chairman of the Government has also informed that according to the Law of Turkmenistan on the State Budget of Turkmenistan for 2019, 76.6 percent of the budget funds are planned to invest to social sphere.
It is expected that the growth of the GDP volume would be provided due to the enhancement of the efficiency of activity of all sectors of national economy and successful implementation of large-scale reforms in coming year.
Summing up the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that support of stable high rates by intensive development of all branches of the economy and its diversification, implementation of major investment projects that have international and regional importance are the main objectives in 2019.
Having outlined the improvement of profitability of the branches and competiveness of local production, development of electronic industry, increment of export oriented goods, reduction of import, investment activity, continuation of the privatization of the state property, creation of favourable conditions for private activity among priority directions, the President addressed Vice-premier with number of specific assignments.
After, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister R.Meredov who reported on the fulfilment of the Concept of Foreign Course of Neutral Turkmenistan in 2017 2023.
It was mentioned that foreign policy of the country is based on the status of permanent neutrality, which was recognized two times by the Resolutions of the UN General Assembly on December 12, 1995 and June 3, 2015.
Following the principles of neutrality, Leader of the Nation Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has outlined key objectives of this strategy, which includes the provision of favourable external conditions for peaceful and stable development of the state and society, improvement of the role of Turkmenistan and steadfast protection of national interests in international relations.
Great attention is paid to the consolidation of the independence of the country, practical implementation of its neutral status and solution of the issues of the world community during fulfilment of these goals.
The Vice-premier, Head of Foreign Department has noted high efficiency of the policy on expansion of economic cooperation pursued by the Head of the State, in particular the cooperation in energy and transport spheres.
The Resolutions of the UN General Assembly, which was adopted by the initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan in 2008 and 2013, became the base for creation of new international legal mechanism of integrated work aimed at the provision of reliable and stable supply of energy carriers to the world markets.
At the same time, based on the proposals of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the UN General Assembly approved fundamentally new methods of establishment of international cooperation in transport sector by its Resolutions adopted in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
The first UN Global Forum on Sustainable Transport, which was held in November 2016 in Ashgabat, was dedicated to these subjects.The world community provides full support to the initiatives of Turkmen leader on such current issues of global agenda as ecology, environmental protection, careful protection and rational use of water resources.
In particular, key idea of the Head of the State on elaboration of the UN Special Programme for the countries of Aral Sea region has received wide international support.
At present time, Turkmenistan carries out colossal work in international humanitarian direction.Being permanent member of the Executive Committee of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration, important partner of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, our country actively participate in practical implementation of international conventions on human rights and other relevant programmes.
For the last several years, 8,880 people, refuges and stateless persons living in our country, have received the citizenship of Turkmenistan by the Decree of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Activity of our country in the world arena in the above-mentioned directions is aimed at the implementation of the UN Strategy until 2030, namely the Sustainable Development Goals.
Turkmenistan was one the most active members of the UN that participated in the development of this comprehensive international document.After its adoption in September 2015, our country was one of the first to start the implementation of the SDGs on national level.
Today, Turkmenistan puts all necessary efforts for the implementation of large-scale and long-term Strategy in close cooperation with specialized structures and agencies of the UN.At present time, Turkmenistan has established and has diplomatic relations with 146 states of the world; it is the member of 47 international organizations.
There are 38 embassies, consulates and permanent representatives of our country to foreign states.Ambassadors of Turkmenistan residing in foreign countries also officially represent Turkmenistan in dozens of other countries.
At the same time, there are 35 embassies, consulates and representative offices of 15 international organizations in our country on permanent base.Laws of Turkmenistan on Diplomatic Service, on Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, on Diplomatic Ranks and other legal laws adopted by the initiative of the Head of the State made solid legal foundation for efficient activity of foreign department of our country abroad.
The Vice-premier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs assured President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that Turkmen diplomatic service would continue carrying out necessary work for accurate and strict fulfilment of the assignments related to further implementation of foreign course of Turkmenistan.
For further implementation of peaceful foreign policy that is guided by the principles of permanent neutrality, improvement of relations with foreign countries, achievement of new levels in bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the Foreign Ministry has developed the proposals on the appointment of Turkmenistan Ambassadors to foreign states, which were presented for review to the President of Turkmenistan.
Having listened to the report, the Head of the State signed number of personnel documents as well as the Resolution on Financial subjects of Diplomatic Service of Turkmenistan.The President of the country mentioned that all relative requirements of the Foreign Ministry, social benefits for diplomatic personnel and their families are provided in the State budget for the next year.
The Vice-premier, Head of the Ministry was assigned to hold the session and to express the gratitude to all ambassadors who completed their diplomatic mission for their merits in work and to award with valuable gifts on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan.
During extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the President of the country has signed the Resolutions assigning to open the Training Centre for important directions of Turkmenistan diplomacy under the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having approved the structure of the Institute and approved the structure of the senior staff of the MFA.
According to the documents, the departments of foreign cooperation and archive of the Diplomatic Service have been established.After, Speaker of the Mejlis G.Mammedova made proposal on the slogan of the coming year.
It was mentioned that despite current situation in the world economy, national economy is characterized with high growth rates.Sound policy is implemented for development of such spheres as trade, industry, agriculture, transport, communication and other branches on innovative base.
Wide support is given to private sector of the economy, small and medium business and entrepreneurship.Thousands of families received new comfortable apartments, foundations of number of new villages was laid in 2018.
All of these is visual indication of high political and economic level of development of our country and its great potential.Election of the Mejlis deputies, members of the People’s Council and Gengeshys, session of the People’s Council are among remarkable events of the year.
It was mentioned in historical speech of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at national forum that at present time, the range of cooperation with all countries of the world is expanding.
For the years of the independence, Turkmenistan has become the reliable partners, peace-making centres that guarantees the transparency and safety.It was also mentioned in historical speech of Turkmen leader at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and was supported by the world community.
Agreements on cooperation have been signed with number of countries by the initiative of the Head of the State; the Mejlis has ratified international conventions and agreements, which Turkmenistan has joined.
Therefore, international legal frameworks of the implementation of bilateral agreements with friendly countries have been enhanced.Number of new laws has been adopted and dozens of existing legal documents have been modernized according to the assignment of the President of Turkmenistan.
This work was carried out with active participation of political parties and public organizations.Announcement of slogan of 2016 “Turkmenistan the Heart of the Great Silk Road” had special role in restoration of historical importance of transnational route.
The Chairperson of the Mejlis presented for review the proposal of the representatives of government organizations, big social structures and regular citizens to declare 2019 under slogan “Turkmenistan the Home of Success and Achievements” Having approved the proposal made by the nation, the Head of the State noted that slogan of the coming year “Turkmenistan the Home of Success and Achievements” reflects the concept of the programme of comprehensive development of the country and its confident move toward peace and progress.
The slogan is also connected to global initiatives of Turkmenistan, national and international projects, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov summed up.Having noted the necessity of legal provision of this proposal and to highlight its importance to the population by mass media, the Head of the State gave relative instructions to Chairperson of the Mejlis G.
Mammedova and Vice-premier B.Abdiyeva.Addressing the participants of the session, the Head of the State focused on priority aspects of the state policy of Turkmenistan including national foreign strategy, having outlined its main objectives for the nearest future.
Finishing extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated the participants on coming New Year, having wished them strong health, family wealth and great success in work.