The second meeting of the highest representative body of Turkmenistan - Halk Maslahaty held in Ashgabat under the chairmanship of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focuses on the important tasks for the further economic and social development of the country, including the issues related to strengthening the constitutional foundations of Turkmenistan and improving the democratic principles of public administration. “Twenty-eight years ago, Turkmenistan declared independence. Having chosen the democratic, legal and secular type of state structure, we have confidently entered щт the sovereign and free path of development”, said the President of Turkmenistan during the meeting. The President expressed confidence that the date of declaring independence would be forever inscribed in the history of the Turkmen state as a life-changing event that exalts such principles of the country and people as unity and solidarity, peacefulness and inspiration, good neighborliness and friendship. “Promoting the ideology focused on ensuring the unity and solidarity of our people, we have united the strength, energy, dreams and expectations, creative enthusiasm in the name of achieving the great goals”, the Turkmen leader emphasized. “A happy and prosperous life reigns on our ancient land. Successfully implementing national programmes, we have achieved that Turkmenistan was recognized as a country with developed economy based on democratic standards both on the regional and international level. “Fulfilling the international obligations of our country, the status of permanent positive neutrality of which was recognized at the level of the United Nations twice, we have established and developed friendly relations with various states and countries of the world, as well as authoritative international organizations”, emphasized President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Underlining that the country has gained very valuable experience in creating new effective ways and methods of international cooperation, the President of Turkmenistan said that Turkmenistan currently chaired the Commonwealth of Independent States and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, was a member of a number of international commissions of the United Nations, actively participated in the implementation of various UN programmes. “The Turkmen state, carrying out multifaceted cooperation with the countries of the world community, significantly contributed to the establishment of a modern international system of global partnership to ensure security on the planet”, the President emphasized.