Today, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, according to tradition, on the eve of the New Year, convened an enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers with the participation of heads of diplomatic missions and consular offices of Turkmenistan to foreign countries, as well as some other leaders.
Some issues of the state’s domestic and foreign policy were put on the agenda.
Opening the meeting, the nation’s leader highlighted that in our country, according to tradition, on the eve of big holidays, citizens, being convicted of committing crimes, but regretting what they have done and sincerely repenting of it, are granted pardons.
Following the principles of mercy and humanism bequeathed by their ancestors, noble actions are regularly carried out to free them from further punishment.
Then Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Secretary of the State Security Council, Chairman of the Commission for the Preparation of Proposals on Citizenship and Pardon Issues under the President of Turkmenistan Ch.Amanov reported on the results of the work carried out by the Commission on Pardoning Convicted Persons in honor of the International Day of Neutrality.
Having signed the relevant Ukase on pardoning 338 persons, head of state Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instructed the heads of law enforcement agencies to take the necessary measures to ensure that citizens released from prison returned to their families in the near future.
Then the floor was given to the Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs R.Meredov, who, having cordially congratulated the head of state on the International Day of Neutrality on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, consulates and representations of Turkmenistan to international organizations, expressed gratitude for the expanded session of the Government held annually in December with the participation of heads of the diplomatic service.
These meetings, being an important event for diplomats, allow them to focus on the priorities of the foreign policy strategy of the nation’s leader, a detailed analysis of topical issues of modernity, as well as on specific instructions concerning the upcoming work.
To date, the Turkmen side has initiated 17 UN resolutions in various directions, which were unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.Our Motherland has been elected Vice-Chairman of the UN General Assembly 6 times.
Currently, Turkmenistan is a member of 12 structural units of the Community of Nations, including the UN Economic and Social Council, the Commission on Population and Development, and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs.
Cooperation with other international associations is also dynamic, and the scope of bilateral relations is expanding. Today, our country is adequately represented in 49 international organizations. Embassies, consulates and representative offices of Turkmenistan are open in 40 countries of the world.
During the meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a Resolution “On financial issues of the diplomatic service of Turkmenistan”, noting that this document approves the expenses and staffing table of foreign embassies, consulates and permanent missions of our country to international organizations, as well as provides social benefits for diplomatic workers and their family members.
Spoken formerly Cabinet Deputy Chairman Serdar Berdimuhamedov reported on the expected macroeconomic indicators for the current year, planned measures for the development of the national economy for the coming year.
The execution of the plan of the revenue part of the State budget is expected to be provided at the level of 101 percent, and the expenditure 99.6 percent.
As a result of increased economic efficiency in all sectors and the successful implementation of large-scale transformations and programs, GDP growth is expected to reach 6.5 percent next year.
Then, addressing the participants of the meeting, the head of state noted that, according to tradition, on the eve of the New Year, topical issues of our country’s foreign policy strategy are discussed.
The coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions on economic, trade, investment and humanitarian contacts having arisen against its background affected the general state of world politics, the head of state noted.
Active and purposeful work is also required with partners to increase the number of participants in the Group of Friends of Neutrality in the Interests of Peace, Security and Development, established within the framework of the United Nations.
In this regard, the Head of State instructed the representatives of Turkmenistan to the United Nations, its structures, other international organizations, as well as all ambassadors abroad to conduct relevant diplomatic work on a regular basis.
It is necessary to ensure that this support is consolidated by the real deeds of as many member states of the United Nations as possible, the nation’s leader noted, emphasizing that this is the mission of diplomats representing the Homeland of Neutrality.
Being fully aware of your responsibility, you must take all necessary measures to ensure that our targeted efforts gain broad support in the world, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized.
In this regard, the national leader assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with ministries and branch departments of the trade and economic complex, embassies and representative offices abroad, trading houses opened in some countries, to further intensify channels of economic diplomacy, as well as to develop clear regulations for the implementation of such diplomacy and create conditions for mutually interested and regular business contacts with foreign partners.
Based on this, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed to strengthen the staff of our embassies and representative offices to foreign countries with experienced economists of international qualifications, provide them with the necessary funds, and provide conditions for active participation in events held in the host countries and regions.
Focusing on issues related to the pandemic, the head of state noted the need to accelerate efforts in the field of scientific diplomacy.
We have established good working relations with the World Health Organization, its Regional Office for Europe and the Country Office in Ashgabat. We support WHO’s efforts in the fight against the pandemic, highly appreciate the level of mutual understanding reached, the nation’s leader stated with satisfaction.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant industry departments were instructed to intensify cooperation with the World Health Organization, begin implementing these proposals, take targeted measures to support and implement them in the international arena, primarily at the United Nations.
Our ambassadors to the Central Asian countries should concentrate on the implementation and promotion of the political and economic outcomes of the Third Consultative Meeting of the heads of these states, as well as constantly keep our partners in sight of the practical implementation of the agreements reached at it.
The plenipotentiaries of our country to Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia were instructed to strengthen cooperation with the governments of these states in preparation for the next Summit of the Caspian countries in Turkmenistan.
The head of state also stated his intention to progressively increase the political and economic dialogue with the states of the Asia-Pacific region, noting the accumulated solid experience of cooperation with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also noted that constructive and fruitful participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States will continue.
As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, Turkmenistan intends to promote achieving the goals of peacemaking, justice and equality in the world.
Activities within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, strengthening its position in protecting the legitimate interests of the Islamic world will continue to occupy an important place in the foreign policy of our country, the national leader stressed.
Relying on neutrality and building up its characteristic potential of peacefulness, good-neighborliness and mutual respect, Turkmenistan confidently and steadily pursues its foreign policy course, successfully implements its strategic goals and priorities.
The main role in this matter is assigned to our diplomacy, the head of state continued, expressing confidence that their high professionalism, experience, knowledge and dedication will allow them to defend the national interests of the sacred Motherland.
At the end of his speech, the nation’s leader wished the country’s plenipotentiaries sound health and great success in their work.
Then the floor was given to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the People’s Republic of China P.Durdiyev, who on behalf of domestic diplomats cordially congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the International Day of Neutrality, proclaimed by the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly and widely celebrated throughout the world, and the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Fatherland.
It was emphasized that thanks to the efforts of the nation’s leader, all conditions are created for employees of the diplomatic service both for fruitful work and for a comfortable life.
New buildings of our country’s diplomatic missions abroad, equipped with modern equipment, are being built.Turkmen diplomats are also bestowed state awards, which inspires and obliges them to work more effectively.
All this increases the responsibility of the employees of the diplomatic service to an independent neutral Homeland.The impressive achievements of the era of power and happiness, implemented on the initiative of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, large infrastructure projects in various fields that increase the economic potential of the country, cause a feeling of sincere pride in the prosperous Motherland, its high international prestige.
On behalf of the Turkmen diplomats, the Plenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to the People’s Republic of China expressed deep gratitude to the head of state for his constant care, wishing him good health, longevity and new outstanding successes in all his noble endeavors.
Summing up the results of the expanded meeting of the Government, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlined that double holidays are a wonderful tradition among Turkmens. This year, the glorious 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s sacred independence was widely celebrated, and the International Day of Neutrality will be celebrated throughout the country on December 12. Turkmen celebrations multiply with holidays.
Today, the nation’s leader continued, for your huge personal contribution to strengthening the independence of the Motherland, increasing its economic power and international prestige, you will be granted state awards, on December 11, take part in an international conference to be held on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the acquisition of the status of permanent neutrality.
This significant date is a symbol of the triumph of the high principles of peacefulness, tolerance and humanism, which the Turkmen people have adhered to throughout their history, the head of Turkmenistan stressed.
Concluding the extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated the participants on the International Day of Neutrality and wished them sound health, family well-being, a happy life and great success in work for the sake of further prosperity of the neutral Motherland.