On May 15, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov presided over a joint session of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council of Turkmenistan, which was also attended by heads of Mejlis Committees of the country. Opening the session, the leader of nation focused on the upcoming holiday – Day of Constitution of Turkmenistan and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry, annually celebrated in the country on May 18 as an important occasion. Addressing the session participants, the leader of nation warmly congratulated them and the entire Turkmen people on the holiday – Day of Turkmenistan’s Constitution and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry, having wished them sound health, well-being, lasting happiness and outstanding achievements in their work for the benefit of the Motherland. Turning to the session agenda, the head of state gave the floor to National Security Minister of the country Ya. Berdiev to report on a draft Ukase on pardoning the convicted persons in honor of Day of Turkmenistan’s Constitution and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry. In the after-report comments, the leader of nation has emphasized that according to the traditions of clemency and humanism of our ancestors, actions on pardoning the convicted persons who have sincerely repented of their crimes, are taken in our country on a regular basis. Thereupon, following these noble traditions, the President of Turkmenistan signed a Ukase on releasing 1,202 Turkmen citizens and 13 foreigners from places of confinement in honor of the forthcoming national holiday. Addressing the National Security Minister, the leader of nation assigned him to timely tackle the relevant issues of releasing the pardoned people and taking all necessary measures to enable the released to celebrate the holiday in the bosom of their families. The President of Turkmenistan instructed khyakims of velayats, etraps and cities, as well as other executives to take steps to provide employment assistance to the pardoned. Next speaker, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Gochyev informed about the activities in the sectors he is in charge of, the fulfillment of earlier presidential commissions on drafting Resolutions on adopting the State Program for increasing exports of Turkmenistan-produced goods. In the framework of the first program, 33 projects aimed at developing the chemical industry, industry, light industry, machine-building industry, agriculture, food and pharmaceutical industries are planned for implementation. The second program provides for realization of 81 projects. In particular, modern enterprises for production of a wide selection of construction, chemical, household products and other goods will be constructed. In addition, enterprises, processing and producing dairy, meat, fruit, vegetable and fish products are planned for construction as well. The enterprises will be tooled with the most advanced technologies. After the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed the importance of successful implementing the developed programs, aimed to promote the national economy’s progressive growth, to improve the Turkmen people’s well-being and, on the whole to ensure the Turkmen state’s prosperity, and signed the presented draft Resolutions, having approved the State Program for increasing exports of Turkmenistan-produced goods, as well as the State Program for production of import-substituting products in Turkmenistan. In her report, Chairperson of Mejlis A. Nurberdyeva focused on the national parliament’s activity aimed at the national legislation further development and preparations for the upcoming events in honor of Day of Turkmenistan’s Constitution and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry. Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov highlighted the ongoing large-scale work of Mejlis deputies on our country’s further development, and their active participation in the implementation of social and economic programs, aimed to raise living standards of the Turkmen people, as well as in improvement of the Turkmenistan’s Constitution, having expressed gratitude to all deputies for their fruitful activity. However, we have very much to do to achieve the goals set, the head of state continued, having spoken of the necessity of holding a session of the Constitutional Commission on improving the Turkmenistan’s Constitution to consider the work done by the Commission. The amended and updated version of the Constitution should be submitted for consideration by the Elders’ Council of Turkmenistan, and then it is necessary to create conditions for discussing the draft among the population of our country, the leader of nation emphasized. Reporting on the Ministry’s activity, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet, Foreign Minister of the country R. Meredov centered on the outcomes of the official visits by the President of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia. The Vice-Premier also informed about the implementation progress of the Program of festivities devoted to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality and announcement of 2015 the Year of Neutrality and Peace. According to the Vice-Premier, 52 forums have been held in Turkmenistan, as well as in a number of foreign countries, TV and radio programs have been broadcast, exhibitions and sports competitions have been organized to mark the occasion. Also, 116 articles devoted to the remarkable event, which is widely celebrated at national and international levels, have been published in the national and foreign press. Having focused on the outcomes of the visits to the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Slovenia, the leader of nation has accentuated the need to take effective steps to systematically implement the agreements reached with European partners, to make the most of the considerable potential available for cooperation, which meets common interests. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has also assigned to ensure a high organizational level of the international festivities and events, held in our country and abroad in honor of the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s neutrality, which are destined to promote all-round strengthening of friendship and cooperation with all nations of the world. The head of state also emphasized that members of the government and other officials should take an active part, and make a worthy contribution to the important work along with mass media representatives. They all should prepare thematic reports and publications for the press, devoted to the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of permanent neutrality, the leader of nation said, having given a number of concrete issue-related instructions to the executives concerned. The report of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet A. Yazmyradov covered the seasonal agri-works ongoing in the country. As informed, the interrow cultivation in the fields planted to cotton, and other agrotechnical operations are well under way. At the same time, livestock farmers have completed the lambing campaign; and laying-in of fodder is in progress. A draft Resolution “On the measures for ensuring efficient organization of the 2015 grain harvesting campaign in Turkmenistan” was submitted for consideration by the head of state. Having signed the within-said Resolution, the head of state addressed a number of commissions to the relevant Vice-Premiers and the Interior Minister of Turkmenistan related to the implementation of the document. The report of Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet M. Yazmuhammedova was centered on the preparation of festive events to mark May-celebrated holidays – Day of Turkmenistan’s Constitution and Magtymguly Fragi’s Poetry, Ashgabat City Day, “School farewell-bell” celebrations, and Turkmen Carpet Day, as well as on the organization of Turkmenistan Culture Days in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Inauguration of the “Arkadag”, “Abadançylyk”, “Yildyz”, “Ylym”, “Ak bugdai” and “Sagdynlyk’ Monuments is timed to Ashgabat City Day. The ceremonies will include performances of creative collectives. A whole series of events planned for Turkmen Carpet Day, which is celebrated on the last Sunday in May, are to be held in cinema and concert centers, parks and squares of the country’s capital and velayats. Reporting on the preparations for Turkmenistan Culture Days in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, the Vice-Premier informed that the delegation, consisting of cultural and art workers, pop singers and musicians, members of dance group and media representatives, would be sent to the friendly country to take part in the event. The head of state demanded to hold all the festivities in the capital and velayats at a better and higher level in terms of organization and content. Stressing the importance of the cultural actions organized in foreign countries, the leader of nation has noted that their main objective is to promote further development of international cooperation in the light of neutral Turkmenistan’s foreign policy. We will continue working in this field, systematically heightening the world’s interest in our country, the leader of nation said, having commissioned the Vice-Premier to hold Turkmenistan Culture Days in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan at high organizational level. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Hojamuhammedov reported on the outcomes of the working tour to the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as on the ongoing preparations for the VI International Gas Congress of Turkmenistan, and the International Exhibition timed to the forum to be held in the “Avaza” National Tourist Zone on May 19-21. The agenda of the VI International Gas Congress of Turkmenistan will include the following issues: expansion of mutually advantageous international cooperation in the energy sector, diversification of export routes of Turkmen energy resources, construction of new interstate gas pipelines, the environmental issues of energy projects implementation, as well as the current state and prospects for further development of the world gas market. Having noted the significance of the forthcoming VI International Gas Congress destined to become a negotiation-favored ground for discussing pressing issues of partnership in the fuel and energy complex, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov stressed that the forum would contribute to advancement of a mutually beneficial dialogue and exchange of experience in this vital sector, as well as finding of further possibilities for effective cooperation with foreign partners. In this connection, the leader of nation assigned the Vice-Premier to ensure a high organization level of the preparations for the VI International Gas Congress and the Exhibition, having given a number of concrete issue-associated instructions. The implementation progress of the works ongoing in sectors of the transport and communications complex, the fulfillment of assignments given earlier by the head of state, the activity of the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan, aimed to purchase and install digital telephone exchanges were in the focus of the report made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Satlykov. As the Vice-Premier informed, to provide telephone connection and enhance capacities of digital telephone exchanges in remote areas, specialists of the Ministry had prepared technical specification according to which 203 telephone exchanges would be put into operation; 134,656 telephone points would be installed in 182 settlements of the country to provide access to modern communication services. In the report follow-up comments, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasized that the comprehensive modernization and diversification of the sector’s infrastructure, application of the latest equipment and innovations had resulted in successful operation of the extensive communications network, radio and telecommunications, digital broadcast in the country. The development of information resources terminal is under way. Having focused on the comprehensive development and modernization of the telephone services, the leader of nation directed attention of the Vice-Premier to the necessity of ensuring the relevant sectors’ well-coordinated activities, while tackling the tasks assigned. Reporting on the state of affairs in the national economy’s industrial sector answerable to him, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet B. Ereshov concentrated on the ongoing work on the carpet industry’s renovation, and the preparations for Turkmen Carpet Day celebrated at the end of May. The Vice-Premier informed about the ongoing operations connected with the installation of new high-performance equipment at the sector’s enterprises for industrial production of carpets. Having focused on upcoming Turkmen Carpet Day, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that carpet weaving is one of the Turkmen people’s most ancient arts, which is an invaluable contribution to the cultural heritage of humanity. Noting that the development of this art, revival of ancient carpet patterns and creation of original carpet compositions, reflecting the spirit of the new epoch are main objectives assigned to carpet weavers, the head of state stressed an important role of sectoral forums in popularizing the achievements of the national carpet industry in the world. Reporting on the state of affairs in the sectors he is responsible for, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet S. Toilyev submitted for consideration by the leader of nation a draft Resolution on approving the Regulations on state registration of food products and their packages. As reported, to comply with the Law of Turkmenistan “On making amendments and additions to the Law of Turkmenistan “On ensuring safety and quality of food products” dated February 28, 2015, the Regulations on state registration of food products and their packages, as well as the List of food products, domestically produced and imported to Turkmenistan, which are not subject to the state registration had been drawn up. To simplify the state registration procedure, the new Regulations provide for shorter time taken to consider relevant documents and to issue certificates. In the report follow-up comments, the leader of nation has emphasized that the state pays unremitting attention to ensuring of safety and quality of food products as an integral factor of the Turkmen people’s health protection and well-being. Having approved and signed the above-stated Resolution, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov commissioned the Vice-Premiers concerned to take adequate measures for its implementation. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet, Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office Sh. Durdylyev reported on the implementation progress of the Ashgabat Improvement Plan. In accordance with the work plan, the capital’s infrastructure is being renovated. As reported, along with road renovation and construction of new highways, dwelling houses are under construction in the residential areas – Parahat-7/2 and Keshi. Renovation of the façade of residential and administrative buildings, as well as improvement of the territories adjacent to them is well under way in capital’s etraps. Pointing out the necessity of taking successive steps to increase efficiency of construction operations by applying advanced technologies, the leader of nation demanded from the Vice-Premiers responsible for the capital’s etraps to keep strict control over the quality of works at sites of the objects under construction and reconstruction, as well as their timely commissioning. The report of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet M. Artykov covered the work ongoing in the supervised sectors, the fulfillment of earlier presidential commissions, the implementation progress of a 400 MW gas-turbine power station project in Serdarabat etrap, Lebap velayat. According to the Vice-Premier, four gas-turbine power stations have been put into operation by now, and two stations – in Derveze etrap, Akhal velayat and Beiik Turkmenbashi etrap, Lebap velayat are being constructed at an accelerated pace. As reported, to tackle the tasks assigned by the head of state on ensuring higher-than-anticipated growth of capacities of the country’s power supply system, specialists of the sector had analyzed and considered technical proposals of a Japanese company. Having centered on the issues of putting into operation additional generating capacities of the electric power industry, the head of state spoke of the need to continue the work in that direction. In this connection, the Turkmen leader has focused on the state and prospects for the development of trade-economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and Japan, having emphasized that Japanese companies are successfully working in different sectors of Turkmenistan’s economy. The President of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of applying the most advanced technologies, high-performance equipment, and high-quality materials for the implementation of sectoral projects, having addressed a number of concrete issue-associated commissions to the Vice-Premier. The state of affairs in the supervised sectors of domestic and foreign trade, the preparations for opening a new administrative building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry were in the focus of the report made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet P. Taganov. As reported, the new building occupies an area of more than 56.6 thousand square meters. It has every condition created for receiving guests, holding large forums, fairs, conferences, presentations, and others business and cultural events. There are also outdoor exhibition grounds with an area of 10 thousand square meters, a printing office, and a press center for mass-media representatives, a dining room, parking lots, etc. The report also covered the preparations for commissioning of a foreign trade terminal of the State Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan in Serahs etrap, Akhal velayat. Speaking of the importance of the tasks set before the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to make the best use of the facilities of its new administrative and business complex, as well as its efficient management. The head of state also demanded to keep constant control over the issues connected with the activity of the foreign trade terminal erected at the Turkmen-Iranian border in Serahs etrap, Akhal velayat, having assigned to work out a system of adequate measures jointly with the State Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. Then, the floor was given to the heads of military and law enforcement agencies to report to President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, General of the Army Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov on the state of affairs in the supervised spheres, the ongoing work on strengthening security of the state and ensuring peaceful life and creative labor of the people. After the reports, the leader of nation stressed the need to take a complex approach to tackling of the tasks assigned on further improving the activity of security agencies, upgrading their material-technical base, training highly-qualified officer personnel, raising the professional level of servicemen, and improving their service and life conditions, having given a number of issue-related commissions. Then heads of Mejlis Committees, invited to the session, informed the President of Turkmenistan about the measures aimed to successfully tackle the tasks on the country’s national legislation further improvement. Speaking to deputies of the national parliament, the head of state emphasized their essential role in ensuring further prosperity of the Motherland and raising living standards of the people. People’s representatives are assigned to tackle important social and economic tasks, the leader of the nation said, having stressed the need to hold regular meetings with voters to increase awareness of the population and clarify the meaning of adopted legislative documents, as well as their role in the successful development of the national economy and Turkmen society. Some other important issues were considered at the joint Cabinet and State Security Council session, and the appropriate resolutions were adopted.