On February 6, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to consider important issues of state life and adopt a number of documents. After reading out the meeting agenda, the leader of nation gave the floor to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Gochyev, to inform about the state of affairs in the sectors he is in charge of. Reporting on the implementation progress of the earlier presidential commissions, the Vice-Premier covered the analysis results of the livestock production in our country, in particular, treatment and currying of hides and wool, as well as their export. To regulate the export of raw hides, hide products (primarily treated), as well as wool products to foreign markets, it was proposed to permit members of the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union to buy these types of raw materials at competitive prices from the population and sell them abroad at market prices. The report also included the information about the steps aimed at enhancing the structure of the textile industry. As the Vice-Premier reported, to efficiently exploit production capacities, to coordinate production management and to ensure cost saving, it would be rational to merge the Abadan Cotton Spinning Mill with the Ashgabat Textile Complex. According to preliminary estimates, it would enable to continuously supply the Ashgabat Textile Complex with sufficient amount of different types of cotton yarn, as well as to exercise control over the quality of yarn, produced in compliance with modern requirements. In the after-report comments, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov spoke about the necessity of making full use of the possibilities of entrepreneurs in production and processing of agricultural products, including livestock products. On the whole, having expressed satisfaction with the results of the work done, the nation’s leader signed a Resolution and assigned the Vice-Premier and executives concerned to keep control over the implementation of its provisions. Having approved the proposal to merge the Abadan Cotton Spinning Mill with the Ashgabat Textile Complex, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized that the practical step would make it possible to enhance, first of all, the financial-economic and production indices of sectoral enterprises. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov focused his report on the ongoing work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the implementation of the 2013-2017 State Foreign Policy Conception of the country; on preparations for the activities to be held on the occasion of Diplomatic Workers’ Day of Turkmenistan, annually celebrated on February 18. Sports competitions with participation of employees of the foreign diplomatic representations and missions accredited to our country will be timed to the professional holiday of our country’s diplomats, which was established in accordance with the Ukase signed by the head of state in 2009. An exhibition, a conference and festive concert will take place in the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The young diplomatic workers of the country, who have distinguished themselves, as well as senior students of the Institute will be awarded relevant diplomas. Having stressed that the state would continue to create all necessary conditions for successful work of the diplomats and training of professional personnel, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov demanded to hold all the events in honor of Diplomatic Workers’ Day of Turkmenistan at a better and higher level in terms of organization and content. Chairperson of Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva informed about the parliament’s activity on ensuring the legal framework for the socio-economic reforms and democratization of the Turkmen society. Having highlighted Turkmenistan’s achievements in the field of gender policy, the considerable support rendered to large families by the state, the Chairperson of the national parliament centered on the ongoing work on nominating candidates for the honorary title - “Ene Mähri”, annually conferred on mothers-heroines in honor of International Women’s Day. Tackling of the issues of the country’s administrative and territorial division, assistance in ensuring fruitful work of the new members of Halk Maslakhaty, for whom special training seminars had been organized were outlined among main areas of the activity of Mejlis deputies. Special consideration was given to the regular work carried out by parliamentarians together with the state and public institutions on combating illicit drug turnover, narcomania, and popularization of healthy lifestyle. Having focused on the organizational work on conferring on mothers of large families the honorary title of Turkmenistan -“Ene Mähri” - a token of profound respect and reverence for a woman-mother as sanctity, a keeper of the well-being and indissoluble family hearth, and high moral values of the Turkmen society, the head of state necessitated taking the most responsible approach to the work. The state of affairs in the sectors he is responsible for, fulfillment of the assignments given earlier by the head of state, the steps taken to enhance the administrative agencies’ activity, as well as the measures aimed at further renovating the Turkmen capital’s infrastructure were in the focus of the report made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet, Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office Sh. Durdylyev. Having addressed the Vice-Premier a number of commissions, the head of state emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to fulfillment of the plans for Ashgabat’s further development, tackling of the tasks assigned on the capital’s improvement and creation of comfortable life conditions for the people. Speaking of the significance of taking organizational measures to further increase efficiency of the state administrative bodies’ activity, the leader of nation stressed the necessity of active applying the advanced methods and technologies in this field, and to this end, studying world’s best practice. Then, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Yazmyradov reported on the seasonal agricultural works ongoing in the country. As noted, all the necessary agro-technical measures for tending winter wheat crops are being taken, including vegetative irrigation and mineral fertilization of the crops, and weed control. At the same time, active preparations for the spring cotton sowing campaign and ploughing of farmlands are well under way. The report also covered the implementation course of “The National Tree-Planting Program of Turkmenistan” and preparations for the spring tree-planting campaign, in the framework of which deciduous, coniferous and fruit trees, and grapes would be planted on the outskirts of Ashgabat, and in velayats. The map of a 100-hectare plot of land, to be allocated to the State Food Industry Association for growing pistachio trees in Altyn asyr etrap, Akhal velayat was submitted for consideration by the head of state. Among the currently-central issues, the leader of nation sorted out improvement of irrigation water supply to farmlands, including by collecting water in artificial reservoirs during the seasonal floods. The Vice-Premier was also given concrete assignments concerning preparations for the spring campaigns, including sowing of cotton and other agricultural crops. The head of state demanded to expand the scope of tree planting activities carried out by the sectoral ministries and agencies, as well as the hyakimliks of velayats in the frames of the National Tree-Planting Program, destined to facilitate tackling of the issues of environmental protection and creation of favorable life conditions for the people of Turkmenistan. On the whole, having approved the presented project for planting pistachio trees in the east of Akhal velayat, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave the Vice-Premier a number of issue-related commissions. The report of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Hojamuhammedov was centered on the state of affairs in the sectors of the fuel and energy complex, and the measures aimed at further implementing the “Turkmenistan’s Gas-and-Oil Industry Development Program for the period till 2030”. The Vice-Premier informed about the results of the international tender for construction of an administrative building of the “Gazygaýtadanişleýiş” Department in Ashgabat. A relevant draft Resolution was submitted for consideration by the head of state. Having signed the Resolution “On constructing an administrative building of “Gazygaýtadanişleýiş” Department, the “Turkmengas” State Concern, the head of state assigned to give special consideration to technical equipment and an architectural aspect of the new building, which should harmoniously blend with the architectural ensembles of the Turkmen capital. In her turn, Cabinet Deputy Chairperson M. Yazmuhammedova reported on preparations for the festive actions timed to State Flag Day of Turkmenistan. The Vice-Premier presented for consideration by President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov a draft Agreement between the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan and the George Washington University (USA) on conducting archaeological explorations in our country. The report also included the information about the ongoing work on organizing international broadcasting and coverage of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in 2017. Having concentrated on further work of the International Archaeological Expedition at the monuments of Ancient Merv, the head of state stressed the need for careful preservation, study and restoration of the historical and cultural monuments. The joint work carried out by Turkmen archeologists and their foreign colleagues, their discoveries should be discussed by the world scientific community and after expert evaluation should be presented to the wide public, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized. Placing accent on the importance of ensuring high-level coverage of the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to take place in Ashgabat, the leader of nation highlighted that when selecting international partners, their experience in this field, reliability and competence should be carefully taken into consideration. As a large-scale sports event, the Asian Games-2017 should receive wide and qualitative coverage, the President of Turkmenistan said, having demanded to carry active work in this field without delay. Then, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Toilyev informed about the implementation progress of Turkmenistan’s scientific and technical policy. In this context, the Vice-Premier presented for consideration by the head of state a document about holding of an annual research paper contest among young people (its outcomes are traditionally summed up prior to Science Day). The Vice-Premier also centered his report on preparations for the festive events to be held to mark the 20th anniversary of adopting the “Saglyk” State Program. As was informed, a Working Group composed of representatives of the WHO Regional Office for Europe had been set up to hold an international healthcare conference in Ashgabat in July. The agenda of this large forum is under careful discussion and preparations for the international exhibition - “Health-2015” are in progress. Signing the within-said Resolution, the head of state has noted that participation of postgraduate students and university students together with young scientists and experts in the contest facilitates expansion of the scope of research activities, integration of science and education, development of highly-acclaimed applied studies in departments and research centers of the higher education institutions. Touching upon the issue of organizing the celebrations and international events in honor of the 20th anniversary of the “Saglyk” State Program, the leader of nation gave the Vice-Premier a number of issue-associated instructions. The situation in the sectors, he is in charge of, the comprehensive measures taken to enhance the logistics and industrial potential of the national economy’s industrial sector; the ongoing work on the construction of a glass manufacturing enterprise in the settlement of Ovadandepe, Derveze etrap, Akhal velayat were in the center of the report made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Ereshov. Following the results of an international tender, announced by the Ministry of Industry of Turkmenistan for designing and construction of the glass manufacturing complex (a turn-key project), a contractor was selected from foreign companies, which had submitted their tender proposals for the project to the inter-sectoral commission. The Vice-Premier presented for consideration by the head of state a location map of the would-be object. Having stressed that the new glass-manufacturing complex tooled with high-technology equipment would become one of the significant industrial facilities of the country, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov assigned the Vice-Premier to thoroughly study all the issues connected with the construction project and site selection for the new building, given all ecological requirements. Then, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet M. Artykov made a report on the state of affairs in the supervised sectors and prospects of their further development, the ongoing work on the construction of eight 4-story residential buildings in the western part of the residential area Keshi, Ashgabat city. With the help of slides, the nation’s leader was shown location maps and project designs of the new houses. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that, along with reliability in service, functionality of objects, particularly social facilities is one of the prime requirements, specified for buildings. The new houses in the residential area Keshi should be constructed at an accelerated pace and in compliance with present-days standards, the leader of nation stressed, having given the Vice-Premier a number of commissions. Reporting on the current activity in the supervised sectors, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet P. Taganov focused on preparations for the Exhibition of Export Goods of the Republic of Turkey to be held in Ashgabat on February 10-12. According to the information, the delegation headed by the Minister of Economy of Turkey, and consisting of nearly 400 representatives of the brotherly country’s business circles would arrive in the Turkmen capital to participate in it. About 160 companies would exhibit their building materials, metal products, different types of equipment, including for the power, textile and food-processing industries, trade and sports spheres, as well as household appliances and other goods. The President of Turkmenistan has noted that the Turkmen-Turkish partnership has long-standing experience and high potential and, given the resources and achievements of the national economies, is aimed at bringing the trade and economic relations to a new level. Great significance in further expansion of the scope of interaction is attached to the exhibition, destined to be an efficient mechanism for advancing cooperation both in the traditional areas, and in new fields, the leader of nation emphasized, having instructed to take all due measures to ensure holding the Exhibition of Export Goods of the Republic of Turkey at a high organizational level. Reporting on the state of affairs in the sectors, answerable to him, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Satlykov informed about the measures for servicing Turkmen ships on international voyages in foreign ports. The report also covered the information about the ongoing work of the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan on the modernization of fiber-optic communication systems, as well as, the proposal made to issue an international tender for lease of two high-speed Internet lines. The Vice-Premier also reported on the ongoing preparations for the launch of the national artificial satellite scheduled for this year’s March. Having pointed out that today great attention is given to comprehensive development and modernization of the field of telecommunications in Turkmenistan, the nation’s leader has emphasized the necessity of further improving its activity and achieving high levels of quality. Touching upon the issue of upgrading the communications and information networks, the head of state highlighted that our own artificial satellite would speed up development of the communications and television systems in the country. The Cabinet session participants also considered some other issues of state life and took the relevant decisions.