Direct video conference session of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan has been held under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
Members of the Government, chairman and deputies of the Mejlis, heads of the ministries and profile departments, political parties and public associations, heads of the regions, districts and cities as well as members of the People’s Council, numerous personnel of facilities and establishments, honoured elders, respected mothers and youth took part in the session.
To participate in the session, the Head of the State has come to the capital’s Ruhiyet Palace where special big monitors have been installed for direct video connection with all participants.
Addressing the participants of national forum, the Head of Turkmenistan noted that current session of the People’s Council is held in video conference format.That is why representatives of Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary Regions have gathered in regional Ruhiyet palaces, representatives of Ahal Region in Ak öý building and representatives of Ashgabat in the capital’s Mekan Palace.
The culmination has come and President of Turkmenistan, Chairman of the People’s Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov announced the opening of the session.
National anthem of Turkmenistan is playing.
Having congratulated the participants of national forum people of the country on important events in life of Turkmen society and state the opening of the session of the People’s Council and 29th anniversary of independence of the country, the President addressed the best wishes to all.
The Head of the State highlighted that the People’s Council, which is held in the year under slogan “Turkmenistan Home of Neutrality”, would be written in gold letters in the chronicle of our powerful state.
New stage of constitutional reforms has been started at the session of the People’s Council last year and initiative on improvement of the Main Law of the country has been proposed.
The main goals of these reforms is to improve activity of high representative bodies the People’s Council and Mejlis of Turkmenistan, which serve to the highest value of the state and society human, its interests as well as to establish two chamber structure of legislative body and to bring the activity of democratic institutes to new level.
Further, having noted that delegates of the forum had a chance to see the agenda, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov asked if there are any proposals or remarks on subjects and documents, which would be brought for discussion.
The Leader of the Nation has announced about approval of the agenda of the Session of the People’s Council under unanimous support and full agreements of the participants of national forum.
After, the President of Turkmenistan have made a program speech for the participants.
Addressing the participants of national forum, the Head of the State has highlighted that large-scale work has been carried out for construction of modern state with stable developing economy, formation of fair civil society, making of favourable life conditions for the years of independence.
The state and social order have been fundamentally modernized in the result of successful implementation of the reforms for 29 years.
Starting from the first days of own development, Turkmenistan has declared neutrality in its foreign policy and strictly follows the principles of good neighbourliness, respect, justice and equality, implements foreign policy meeting the goals of universal peace, security and prosperity, the Head of the State said.
Our neutral state has established diplomatic relations with 149 states of the world. Being a member of around 50 international organizations, it is also a member of more than 150 international conventions, agreements and other multilateral documents.
- We pay special attention to strengthening of cooperation in different directions with such competent organizations as the United Nations Organization European Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, Non-alignment Movement, Islamic Cooperation Organization, states of Asian and Pacific region, Middle and Far East, European and American countries, - the Head of the State noted.
Turkmenistan makes deserving contribution to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the President continued.Adoption of the Resolution on announcement of 2021 as International Year of Peace and Trust at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly was a historical event that has demonstrated our efforts for the sake of triumph of peace and friendship to the world and has increased the authority of neutral Turkmenistan.
Speaking of importance of receiving of the status of observer at the World Trade Organization, the Head of the State noted that it would provide harmonic development of national economy, strengthening of positions in foreign trade relations, expansion of multilateral cooperation and attraction of foreign investments.
This factor would support the development and successful implementation of perspective commercial and trade strategy.
Continuing the session, the Head of the State has highlighted one of actual problems of the present, the President of Turkmenistan has highlighted that acute coronavirus disease, which has made negative impact on the economics of all states, was spread in the world in 2020.
- Despite continuing complicated financial and economic conditions in the world, we have achieved stable development of the economy of the country and were able to keep significant financial resources in reserve, - the President stated.
Having noted that Program of the country development for five years has been adopted at the session of the People’s Council last year, the Head of Turkmenistan focused the attention on the necessity of taking of all measures for fulfilment in full volume in current complex conditions.
Provision of income to the State budget, which is the main financial instrument, was specified among the utmost objectives.Significant part of the social investments is provided from the state budget.
More than 70 percent of the State budget is used for social activity including the reformation of social and living conditions of the population of villages, settlements in the regions, cities and districts. Construction of houses for disabled people and citizens who require support would be continued in the capital and regions, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted.
Having noted that care of social protection of the citizens is in the centre of permanent attention, the Head of Turkmenistan highlighted that salary wages, pensions, state allowances and student scholarships have been increased this year. In addition, most part of financial resources allocated form the State budget would be invested to education, health protection spheres and Pension Fund.
Continuing the session, the President of Turkmenistan has focused on another important subject. It is necessary to develop the industry providing equipment and resources for development of construction sphere at high rates.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has specified increment of volumes of local construction materials, efficiency of work, enhancement of competiveness and quality of construction production, safety of works and service complex among the main future objectives.
At the same time, the Head of Turkmenistan has noted that it is necessary to make corrections of the construction program for the next year and to prepare investment program. Strengthening of the base of the sphere in the country is an important part of industrial and innovative strategy of development of independent state.
The state programs of production of import substitutive products and increment of volumes of export of local goods, establishment of electronic industry are successfully implemented under diversification of the economy, the President continued.
At present time, together with improvement of administrative and territorial system of the country, we have such important objectives as removal of borders between the city and rural area, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, having highlighted that the Mejlis of Turkmenistan together with administrations of regions, ministries and profile departments have to continue relative work in this direction as well as work on expansion of the scale of urbanization of settlements and capabilities for stable integrated planning of settlements and their management.
Important place in successful implementation of the adopted programs of industrialization of our independence state is given to power energy industry, the Head of the State said, having highlighted that output capacity of energy industry would be increased in near future.
Speaking of the plans in this sector, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that use of capabilities of solar and wind energy is planned.According to the Concept of development of Altyn Asyr Lake region in 2019 2025, modern settlements and facilities built in this place would be provided by energy from solar and wind power stations.
Works for establishment of energy ring inside the country and construction of Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan power line would be continued.
Continuing the speech, the Head of the State has noted that current logistic strategy takes its grounds from ancient times. Being an important part of the Silk Road, the territory of Turkmenistan used to unite peoples and continents, which was very important in development of relations between the East and West.
Beneficial geographic location of our country opens wide perspectives for establishment of competitive transport macrostructure.Maritime, road, railway, air and pipeline international multimodal logistic projects are implemented in modern time.
The agreements achieved on Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Iran Oman and Afghanistan Turkmenistan - Azerbaijan Georgia Turkey transport corridors will support the establishment of opportunities for development of relations in the regional and continental boundaries in the future.
Existing international Turkmenistan China gas pipeline and transnational Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India gas line, which construction is continued, are to serve as a composite link of pipeline logistics.
Modern highways, which have been built and under construction in our independent state including Ashgabat Karakums Dashoguz and Turkemnbashy Ashgabat Farab roads, which will support efficient use of colossal economic potential of the country and other states of the region, play important role in development of transport logistics.
It was highlighted that big work has been carried out for turning of agriculture into high technological sphere open for innovative solutions and ideas supporting opening of new markets.
Speaking of the utmost objectives of this complex, the President of Turkmenistan has noted that it is necessary to use potential of digital systems more efficiently for enhancement of work productivity in agricultural complex, and provision of its stable development.
Having highlighted that local markets have to be fully provided with local production, the Head of the State ordered to increase the plantations of potato, vegetable and cucurbitaceous crops and to increase volumes of meat and dairy production.
In this regard, appropriateness of analysis carried out by the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Cabinet of Ministers for regular improvement of the program of construction of small, medium and big facilities making import substitutive production has been noted. Implementation of this program will support the establishment of new and keep of existing work places.
Having highlighted another actual issue, the President highlighted that special attention is paid to stable development of the country, its successful integration to the world economic space, bringing of educational sphere to international level and education of deserved younger generation is paid in the government policy.
New younger generation, which is fond of science and art, has been formed in the result of fundamental changes carried out in scientific sphere, national academic scientific and research institutes, high educational facilities, scientific and projects centres, experimental and practical laboratories and profile scientific organizations.
Talented youth work efficiently in the sphere of nanotechnologies, scientific researches of new resources, energy, biotechnologies, molecular biology, agriculture, ecology and genetics, information and communication systems.
Importance of projects and scientific studies in such perspective directions as computer technologies, modern medicine and pharmacy, innovative economy, humanitarian sciences, innovative developments has been highlighted. The head of the State continued that it opens wide perspectives for efficient activity of educational personnel, education of youth on the world level.
According to the Program of the President for social and economic development of the country in 2019 2025, Turkmen leader has ordered the higher educational institutes to specify certain directions of improvement of training of young scientists, engineers, technologists and specialists as well as to develop relative Program.
Continuing the session, the Head of the State highlighted the subject of combating the COVID-19 coronavirus, which the world has faced at present time.
In this regard, it was noted that work for regular provision of the population with the main medicines strengthening immune system of human has been organized from the first days of spread of large-scale spread of the disease. Total check-ups are carried out, other necessary measures for strengthening of immune system of people are taken.
The Acute Infectious Disease Readiness and Response Plan as well as the Plan of Operational Social and Economic Measures for countering the pandemic have been adopted on the Government level.
Stimulation of personnel of health protection sphere and efficient use of their potential in combating the infection are important directions at present time, the Head of Turkmenistan said, having highlighted that the Resolution on provision of additional benefits would be signed later.
At the same time, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has noted that it is necessary to prepare new edition of the State Health Program.
The Head of the State has specified careful and efficient use of natural reserves among perspective directions of coming work. Appropriateness of construction of resorts in gorges of the Kopetdag, Koytendag and Sumbar, spaces of Badhyz Reserve, along Amudarya, Murgab and Karakum rivers, making all conditions for travelling and comfortable holidays of people has also been noted.
Further, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has focused on improvement of legal status of the People’s Council and amendments and addendums of the Main Law, which have been started at the session of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan last year.
Being a special branch of the government power, the parliament is an integral tool of people’s democracy in political and public life of the country.Establishment of fundamentally new two-chamber structure of National Parliament will make favourable conditions for strengthening of legal base of further development of our independent country and enhancement of efficiency of activity of the government authorities, the Head of Turkmenistan highlighted, having stated with delight that these changes have raised big interest and full support of the society.
Special emphasis has been made on huge work done by the Constitutional Commission for development of the Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan. It was mentioned that the draft of this legal act has been published in mass media for comprehensive consideration of public opinion and national discussion.
According to the draft of Constitutional Law, the People’s Council is included to the system of the highest government authorities making the functions of legislative power.In this context, it is proposed to exclude the article 6 with index 1 from the main Law and name National Parliament as Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan and its chambers as the People’s Council and the Mejlis due to establishment of two-chamber structure of legislative representative body of the Government power.
The draft proposes the order of establishment of the Parliament’s chambers, holding of the sessions, adoption of laws, requirements to the candidates to the members of the People’s Council and deputies of the Mejlis as well as standards specifying their authorities, which are very important for coordinated activity of both chambers.
According to the draft Constitutional Law, it is proposed to exclude one and add three articles to the Main Law and make relative amendments and addendums to article 27.
It would be reasonable to hold elections of the members of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan by regional and district People’s Councils in the first quarter of coming year under unanimous approval of the Draft Constitutional Law at current session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.
Having finished his speech, Turkmen leader proposed to start the discussion of subjects of the agenda of national forum, having given the floor to the participants.
The floor was given to Speaker of the Mejlis G.Mammedova.Having expressed cordial gratitude to the President and participants of the session of the People’s Council and all Turkmenistan citizens on coming 29th anniversary of independence of the country, the Head of the Parliament highlighted that today, Turkmenistan is known in the world as a state demonstrating high level of industrial development and based on the latest scientific and technical achievements, caring of wealth of the nation and urging all countries to peace and good relations.
It was mentioned that program speech of the Head of the State at the current session of the People’s Council outlined the main directions of strengthening of achievements of independence and permanent neutrality, social and economic cultural development of the country and sets specific objectives.
Major programs aimed at social and economic development of cities, districts and villages, improvement of social and living conditions of the population are carried out at present.In this context, improvement of administrative and territorial system of our state is an important aspect.
This subject including elimination of difference between city and rural area, modern management of settlements, has been highlighted by the Head of the state in his speech, having specified relative objectives.
Having assured that all necessary measures would be taken for fulfilment of objectives for further improvement of administrative and territorial system of the regions, the Speaker of the Mejlis wished strong health, longevity and success in all major beginning for the sake of the people and country to the Head of Turkmenistan.
Summing up the discussion, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has expressed gratitude to all who made speech and took active part in work of the session, during which important issues of the state and public life of the country have been reviewed.
Having stated with delight that the speakers spoke for support of initiatives proposed at the forum, Turkmen leader noted that all proposals would be taken into account.
Continuing the session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has singed number of documents including the Orders on conferring of the State Awards and Honoured Titles on occasion of the 29th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence.
These high awards are conferred to distinguished citizens for special merits for independent neutral Motherland and people, long honest and selfless work and professional skills.
Further, the Head of the State highlighted that historically important subjects of the state and public life have been reviewed at the current session. First, priorities of home and foreign policy of the country as well as draft of the Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan have been discussed.
As it was mentioned before historical initiatives about change of legal status of the Peoples Council of Turkmenistan and transit to two-chamber parliament system have been proposed at the national forum last year.
The Head of the State said that these beginnings have raised big interest and support of the nation.In the result of works, draft Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan, which has been brought out for national discussion, has been developed.
The participants of the current session have supported initiatives about improvement of activity and change of legal status of the People’s Council.Similar support has been provided by the citizens from all regions of the country, the Head of the State noted.
Number of proposals has been made during discussion of the draft Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan and in the speeches of the participants.Speaking of this, the President noted that draft Resolutions of the People’s Council on Approval of the Draft Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and on Approval of the Main Directions of Social and Economic Development of Turkmenistan in 2021are presented for review to the participants of the session.
These documents have been adopted unanimously. Having signed the above mentioned Resolutions and highlighted that big work has been done for improvement of the Main Law of the country, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed gratitude to representatives of all levels of Turkmen society including the delegates of national forum for active participation in this activity.
Addressing the participants of the session of the People’s Council, the Head of the State informed that Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan is presented for review to the Mejlis.
The deputies had a discussion of the Draft Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan at the session of the Mejlis.
Continuing the session of the People’s Council, the Head of the State has given the floor to Speaker of the Mejlis G. Mammedova for announcement of decision of the deputies on the above-mentioned Draft Constitutional Law.
The Head of National Parliament has informed that deputies have discussed and unanimously adopted the Draft Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan at the session of the Mejlis.
The Speaker of the Mejlis has congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and all Turkmen people on remarkable event in the latest history of the country the adoption of the Constitutional Law, which sets legal base for establishment of two-chamber legislative body.
Having expressed the best wishes to the President, the Head of the Mejlis addressed the Head of the State to sign the Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan.
Having listened to the information and addressing the delegates of national forum, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has stated that deputies of the Mejlis have unanimously voted for adoption of the Constitutional Law.
Under applauses of the participants of the session, the President has signed the Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, having highlighted that adoption of it on the threshold of the 29th anniversary of independence, which marks solidarity of the society and state, is a grandiose historical event, which would be written in gold letters to chronicle of our nation.
In this solemn moment, the Head of the State has congratulated the participants of the session and all people of the country on adoption of the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan related to improvement of activity of the People’s Council and Mejlis as well as establishment of two-chamber structure of legislative body, which complies with the world and national democratic practice, universal standards and norms of international law.
In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has ordered the members of the Government, deputies of National Parliament, representatives of public associations and local power authorities to carry out relative work at sites for solution of objectives following from the adopted Constitutional Law.
The Head of Turkmenistan highlighted that relative proposals on important administrative and territorial issues of the country have been proposed at the current session. The main goal of these subjects is in efficient organization of regional management, reduction of administrative expenses, further strengthening of positions of local power authorities and support of democratic initiatives on sites.
- We would continue following standards and principles of the Constitution and lead our democratic, legal and temporal state on the way of grandiose achievements, - President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted, having expressed confidence that new two-chamber parliament system would also make fruitful contribution to this affair.
Continuing the subject, the President has informed that the Constitutional Law on Amendments and Addendums of the Constitution of Turkmenistan enter into force from January 1, 2021.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has also noted that having adopted the above-mentioned Constitutional Law, we have established two-chamber structure of legislative body of the country.In order the People’s Council of new Parliament has started its activity, it is necessary to carry out organization work and election of its members.
According to the Constitutional Law, the first elections of the People’s Council chamber of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan are appointed by the President of Turkmenistan
Following this, the Head of the state has signed the Resolution of the People’s Council on organizational work related to the appointment of the first elections of the members of the People’s Council of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan as well as arrangement of activity of the People’s Council of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan.
Continuing the session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has also highlighted the subject of health protection, having noted that national medical personnel carry our big work for health protection of the people, work selflessly for prevention, diagnostic and treatment of diseases.
Speaking of this, the Head of the State has signed the Resolution on Improvement of social protection of personnel of health protection industry.
Summing up the session, during which the main subjects of foreign and home policy of Turkmenistan have been reviewed, the President has congratulated the delegates of the forum and all people on the 29th anniversary of independence of the country, having expressed the best wishes.
After, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has addressed the participants of the session and all fellow countrymen with final speech. Having expressed gratitude to the delegates of the forum, especially those who took direct part in its work and organization, the President of Turkmenistan wished them strong health, prosperity and big success in work.
At this, the Head of the State has announced the end of the session of the People’s Council.