Dear Compatriots! My dear people! The year 2014, the Year of the Horse, marked by great achievements in the epoch of power and happiness, is coming to the end. In a while, we will see the New Year 2015 in with good wishes and hopes, the year during which our Motherland is expected to reach new levels of development. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the upcoming 2015 is the Year of the Sheep. May the year, symbolizing peace, prosperity and generosity be successful for each of you! In 2014, we have made grandiose achievements, which enhanced our independent state’s prestige and the Turkmen people’s fame. We have achieved good results, successfully solving the tasks connected with the increase of our country’s economic strength and improvement of the people’s living standards, having made great progress in the development of the national economy’s sectors. Many factories, industrial facilities and social-cultural purpose buildings have been constructed and put into operation in our country. We have continued to implement the large-scale social project for building modern dwelling houses, villages and cities. Achievement of this strategic goal will enable to create favorable living conditions for the rural and urban population. This is the clear evidence of the fact that the proclaimed slogan “The State for the People!” is successfully implemented in the country; and concern for the people’s welfare is the priority trend of our state policy. Our country’s capital, Ashgabat, known as an architectural pearl of the region, has grown and become much more beautiful. New, modern facilities have been constructed in the city at the accelerated pace. Recent putting into operation of the Turkmen-Iranian section of the international “Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran” railway has become an outstanding historical event, which received global media coverage. We will keep on implementing such large-scale industrial and socio-cultural purpose projects. Fruitful work has been performed in the agro-industrial complex in the departing year, as well. Our diligent grain growers have produced more than 1, 200,000 tons of high-quality wheat. Cotton producers, having grown the abundant “white gold” crops, have harvested more than 1,100,000 tons of cotton. The ongoing work on improving our country’s health care, science, education and sport spheres, serves the people’s interests. In 2014, the grandiose reforms have been carried out in the healthcare system. The activity on reforming and improving the country’s educational system, raising the quality of education up to world standards was effective as well. This year, we have carried out the large-scale work on the development of sports and physical education. In 2017, Ashgabat is to host V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games at high organizational level. Our neutral country’s role in the system of international relations is becoming more and more significant. As for international cooperation, the year 2014 has become one of the most productive years for the country. In this year’s spring, at the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Turkmenistan was elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development for 2014-2016, and also the UN Commission for Social Development for 2014-2017. These events are the striking illustration of our independent neutral state’s ever-growing global prestige. I would like to highlight that the efficient work on the space sector development has been implemented in the country. In the upcoming year, we are to launch our own national artificial satellite into outer space. It is going to become a momentous event in the history of our independent state and the Turkmen people! We are also pleased with the successful activity and achievements of local entrepreneurs who have made their invaluable contribution to the great accomplishments of our industrious people, aimed at our Motherland’s rapid development and strengthening of its economy. Dear Compatriots! In 2014, a large amount of work has been carried out on the development of national culture. We successfully held Week of Culture in Dashoguz velayat at international level. This field will continue to be in the focus of attention. This year, we have widely and internationally celebrated the 290th anniversary of the birth of our great poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi. The declaration of 2014 as the Year of Magtymguly at international level enhanced the Turkmen people’s pride for their national values, spiritual and cultural heritage. Turkmenistan makes a considerable contribution to development of interaction between the Turkic language speaking states. The recent announcement of ancient city of Mary the cultural capital of the Turkic World-2015 by ‘TURKSOY’ International Organization of Turkic Culture has become another remarkable event celebrating our glorious history. In the autumn of 2015, we will held a regular session of the Elders’ Council in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone in Turkmenbashi city, Balkan velayat to discuss with the elders of the country the work to be implemented for our Motherland’s further prosperity. In the upcoming year, we will mark the 20th anniversary of adoption of the Resolution of the UN General Assembly “On Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality”. At the Elders’ Council session held in Lebap velayat, the year 2015 was announced the Year of Neutrality and Peace as a sign of our pride for our country’s neutral status. The activities to be organized in honor of the significant event will become the striking illustration of our neutral state’s achievements during the years of independence. Dear Compatriots! I am fully confident that thanks to selfless labor of our courageous people, the year 2015, which we welcome with good wishes and expectations, will also become the year of outstanding accomplishments. Inexhaustible talent, unbreakable unity and diligence of our people will encourage us to successfully carry out the large-scale programs in the upcoming year aimed at our independent country’s further prosperity. Dear Compatriots! My dear people! In a few minutes we are going to celebrate the arrival of 2015. May the New Year be successful for our Motherland, and for the people of Turkmenistan and every family - generous, prosperous and fruitful! May unity, happiness, well-being and prosperity reign in every family in the New Year! A Happy New Year 2015, dear compatriots!