During working trip to Lebap Velayat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the opening of International Airport that has been built in administration centre of the velayat as well as gave start to mass sport competitions “The Great Silk Road”.
The Chairperson of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, hyakims of velayats and Ashgabat, leaders of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, foreign ambassadors to Turkmenistan, businessmen and cultural personnel, representatives of foreign and national media, non-governmental organizations and local residents gathered at the entrance of new Turkmenabat International Airport.
Having set toward passenger terminal, the President of Turkmenistan looked around the territory of the complex and after went to the tribune and addressed the participants of the event with greeting speech.
Having congratulated everyone on the opening of Turkmenabat International Airport, the Head of the State noted that our country turned into one of dynamically developing states of the world.
For the years of independence, Turkmenistan has passed the way equal to the centuries.Social and economic programme for 2018 2024 has been adopted at the session of the Council of the Elders held in Ahal Velayat last autumn.
It envisaged further integrated development of the country, bringing of it to the rank of developed countries and improvement of the wealth of people.We declared “Turkmenistan the Heart of the Great Silk Road” as a slogan of 2018, according to which large-scale work has been done and is continued to be carried out for the formation of transport and logistic infrastructure in the country that meeting high requirements of the present, the Head of the State continued.
It demonstrates to the world community that actively participating in consolidation of peace on the planet and development of friendly partnership, Turkmenistan restores the Silk Road that used to run across ancient Turkmen land and connected the states and peoples of the East and the West.
We establish beneficial trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian relations with the countries located along this ancient route and enhance efficient beneficial cooperation.Lebap Velayat is actively developed together with other regions of the country.
Recently, hundreds of small and large facilities have been built and continue to be erected in the region.Turkmen leader mentioned automobile and railroad bridge across the Amudarya, Garlyk Ore and Mining Complex for production of potassium fertilizers, sulphuric acid plant in Turkmenabat, cotton spinning mill in Seydi, Garabekevul cotton ginning plant, multifunctional hospital and dozens of other social and industrial facilities among new facilities.
The Head of the State expressed the confidence that new airport in Turkmenabat would make big input to social and economic development of not only the eastern region but entire state as well.
This International Airport will be one of important junction of transport communications that are to serve to the consolidation of friendship and peace between the countries.It will turn into important link of international system of transport communications connecting Europe and Asia.
The airport built by hardworking Turkmen constructors is designated for 500 passengers per hour providing safe, reliable and efficient air connections.The conditions for successful integration of national civil aviation to the system of local and international flights, increasing of number and quality of passenger and cargo air transportation will be made.
After, the floor was given to foreign guests who arrived to Turkmenabat for the participation in the opening ceremony of International Airport.Official representative of Guinness World Record Book Sheida Subashi-Gemigi congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and all the participants on remarkable event and noted that this day is special one not only for the citizens of the country but for the Guinness publication as Turkmenistan again impresses with its greatness!
We commended all the magnificence and high technology efficiency of new airport in Turkmenabat, she said, having highlighted that the view from the height on passenger terminal with huge star shape roof deserves special attention.
Such excellent architectural solution is unique feature of the airport that has no analogues in the world and we think it deserves to be entered to the Guinness World Record Book, the guest said.
In this regard, Head of Turkmenhowayollary Service D.Saburov received the Certificate of the Guinness Record Book officially certifying the uniqueness of architectural design of passenger terminal of Turkmenabat Airport.
Next, Lorenzo DI Loreto, the Vice-President on Sales and Marketing of Munich International Airport congratulated the participants on the opening of Turkmenabat International Airport, which is another unique facility built in Turkmenistan.
New airport is completely ready to start operating and would be deservingly perform its mission, the guest said, having expressed the gratitude for the trust rendered to the specialist of Munich Airport who was chosen as the consultants.
Having assured the Head of Turkmenistan that Munich International Airport would always be reliable partner of Turkmen airlines, Di Loreto awarded the certificate for the compliance assessment of Turkmenabat International Airport.
Followed by the participants of the ceremony, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went inside the main passenger terminal.The Head of the State started looking around the airport and the conditions made for the passengers and work of the personnel.
The facilities of new airport have stretched on huge territory of more than 600 hectares.Creative methods of national architecture have been used during the construction.Beautiful fountains in the shape of Lebap carpet pattern have been built in front of the entrance to the airport and the building of passenger terminal, which is 37 thousand square meters, looks like Oguzkhan Star from the air, owing to which Turkmenabat Airport was entered to the Guinness Record Book.
Spacious terminal has optimum comfort conditions for waiting, fast check-in and boarding of the passengers.Telescopic gangways, information screens, international communication outlets, luggage storage rooms are at disposal of the passengers.
The waiting hall is furnished with comfortable seats.There are cosy cafeterias, bars, shopping outlets, CIP lounge, duty free shops, internet cafes and other services.By its engineering and technical construction features, the terminal is one of the most high technology facilities in the country.
Integrated approach to the provision of safety and regulations criteria in the system of organizations and operation, taxing of the aircrafts, passenger services, luggage and cargo processing according to high international standards, organization of entire services system, which quantity and quality effect the competiveness of the airport, has been used.
There are 9 escalators and 19 lifts in the building.High technology multimedia presentation of Turkmenabat International Airport was demonstrated to the participants of the events.LED- displays, projecting system and remote control drones have been used in the performance.
The presenter told about colossal importance of the legendary ancient route in trade, culture and politics of many countries.The spectators watched the caravans moving across the desert delivering wonderful goods from China and India to European part of the continent and back.
At present, the country develops combined system of transport communication with the entry to the largest international and regional sea, river, automobile, railway and air hubs.Turkmenistan becomes the golden gate between the North and the South, the East and the West, Asia and Europe.
Aviation is an important component of continental transport system.At present, modern ground infrastructure of this branch like runways that are able to receive any aircrafts, airport complexes provided with the latest equipment as well as modern fleet of aircrafts meeting highest international requirements is formed up in the country.
Ashgabat International Airport that became the largest airport complex in Central Asia has been opened in September 2016.Construction of another international airport in Turkmenabat became one of large-scale projects for improvement of the infrastructure of avaitation transportation.
The Head of the State watched the landing of the first aircraft in the history of new airport.First, Boeing 777-200LR has landed on the runway.It was followed by Boeing 757-200 and Boeing 737-800 of Türkmenistan awiakompaniýasy Open Joint Stock Venture.
After, the aircrafts of foreign companies ATP GP AN-124 of Antonov Ukrainian State Entity, Boeing 747-400 of Slovakian Air Cargo Global, Tajik SOMON AIR and A-320 of UAE AIR Arabia made landing at Turkmenabat Airport one after another.
The runway of Turkmenabat Airport is 3800 meters long and 60 meters wide.It equipped with modern ground landing systems like landing systems, distance-measuring radio beacon, runway lighting and meteorology equipment that allows receiving any aircrafts including the airbuses.
Having made an entry in the Book of Honoured Visitors of Turkmenabat Airport, the President wished success, health and family wealth to its personnel.Thousands of Turkmenistan citizens have gathered at decorated place of the start of field-and-track relay race on the main street of Turkmenabat Bitarap Turkmenistan Avenue in the morning.
There were the members of the Government, leaders of the Mejlis, military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments of the country, hyakims of the velayats and Ashgabat, representatives of non-governmental organizations and mass media, youth and foreign guests among the participants.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived to the starting point of the competitions.The participants of sport celebration greeted the Head of the State with enthusiasm.Students of universities, professional colleges and sport schools, numerous representatives of working collectives and public lined up along the start of the track.
The boy handed over the baton to the Head of the State and asked him to open this unprecedented sport event.President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave start to the race and run its initial lap among the first runners.
Having dynamically run over the first leg, Turkmen leader passed the baton to his son Serdar Berdimuhamedov, which symbolized the succession of the generations.The relay race is continued by the hyakims of the etraps and the capital.
As the event is held in Turkmenabat, which is the successor of Amul big centre on historical Silk Road, Lebap is the first to take the relay race.It is followed by Mary, Ahal, Dashoguz Velayats, Ashgabat and Balkan Velayat.
Old Amul Stronghold located in the southern part of Turkmenistan was neatly decorated.Following field-and-track athletes, the cyclists started the race as well.Why it is this place that is chosen for the start of the competitions along the Silk Road?
Archaeological findings prove that more than 20 centuries ago Amul was big and populated settlement with different crafts and coin minting.Copper coins dated by I IX centuries were found there by the archaeologists.
Amul was the part of Kushan Empire in the first century AC and after its demise in IV AC, it became an independent.The Great Silk Road from China to Iran and Mediterranean through Central Asia made its way via this settlement.
River crossing across the Jeytun, which since those times started to be called the Amudarya after Amul Settlement, has been arranged.Amul became important sheltering place where numerous trade routes were crossing.
It gave start to the roads to Iran, India and Eastern Europe.thus, Amul became important part of the Silk Road.Therefore, the cycling race has started after field-and-track relay race.
The President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also headed it.The head of the State has reached the finis of cycling track at the intersection of the central streets of Turkmenabat.
After, the Head of the State went by vehicle to the place where international rally is to start in September this year.There is vehicle technical service for the participants of the rally.
Samples of racing cars and technical service vehicles presented by the Interior Ministry and Automobile Sport Federation of Turkmenistan were demonstrated there.These were such vehicles with high off-road characteristics like full-drive Japanese Mitsubishi Pajero, which 12-time champion of Paris Dakar, and Mitsubishi L200, Toyota Hilux and Nissan Patrol.
Initial negotiations with French Amaury Sport Organisation and Eco Race, which have big experience in conduct of big rallies, are ongoing under preparation to Amul Hazar 2018 rally on September 9 14, 2018.
The emphasis is made on the consulting, coordination and invitation of various sport teams as well as information coverage and advertisement of the events in the world famous TV channels and other media.
Initial map of the track, which is divided into five legs Amul Mary, Mary, Derveze, Derveze Turkmen Lake, Turkmen Lake Yangala, Yangala Avaza, has been prepared.Besides, it is necessary to work on such objectives as attraction of foreign specialists for technical provision of the competitions including GPS positioning, satellite communication, aviation support, organization of pit stops and catering, fuelling, etc.
The Head of the State addressed the participants with greeting speech and congratulated on current remarkable event the beginning of big sport action including field-and-track and cycling races as well as international rally Amul Hazar 2018 along the Silk Road.
The floor was given to Jean-Louis Schlesser who expressed the gratitude for the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and to take part in current sport events, which are united with the same idea with coming international rally Amul Hazar 2018.
It is a great pleasure for me to be here among the sportsmen in the country that pays such great attention on the highest level to the development of automobile sport, Mr Schlesser said.
Conducting of the rally in Turkmenistan would support to wide popularization of this sports, formation of the principles of healthy life style, introduction of rich nature, landscape, beautiful places, cultural and historical heritage of this place to people coming to Turkmenistan from different countries of the world, the guest noted.
He also expressed the confidence that international rally Amul Hazar 2018 would stay in the memory of numerous spectators and fans and would support the promotion of automobile sports.
Having congratulated Turkmen leader on this celebration and wished great success in future development of sports in our country including automobile sports, Jean-Louis Schlesser presented the key from the vehicle to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
The Head of Turkmenistan and the guest went up to the podium with the vehicle wrapped in cloth, undid the ribbon knot and beautiful sport car appeared in front of the public.
On behalf of the Automobile Sport Centre of the country, Minister of Internal Affairs I.Mulikov presented the racer outfit to the President of Turkmenistan.Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of Turkmenistan D.
Gulgeldiyev congratulated the Head of the State on the beginning of current sport competitions.V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which were written with the golden letters to the history of our country, were held on high level, the Minister said, having made special mention of the success of our sport and combat sambo wrestlers who demonstrated their skills and achieved excellent results.
In this regard, on behalf of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Minister presented the set of sport suits to Chairman of the Mejlis Committee for Legislation and its Standards, Head of National Martial Arts Federation, Honoured Coach of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
Having donned the racer gear, the Head of the State took the wheel of his vehicle while his son took co-pilot seat.Having driven through the Start arch, the head of the State made test drive around the part of the track of international rally Amul Hazar 2018.
The Head of Turkmenistan demonstrated excellent skills of sport driving, managing racing vehicle in off-road conditions.Having accomplished the test drive, the Head of the State returned to the place through the Finish Arch.
Having expressed the gratitude to the participants of the event, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave instructions on preparation of international rally Amul Hazar 2018 and left the place of the event.
After that, trial time and speed racing contests were held among the crews of the cars representing the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Automobile Sport Federation of Turkmenistan.On the same day, the Head of the State left new airport of Turkmenabat for the capital.
At Ashgabat International Airport, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was greeted by the Chairperson of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, leaders of military and law enforcement agencies who congratulated the Head of the State on successful events held during working trip of the Leader of the Nation to Mary and Lebap Velayat.