On October 31, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a regular video-teleconference working session with several Deputy Chairpersons of the Cabinet of Ministers, khyakims of regions and the Khyakim of Ashgabat city. The session’s agenda covered important issues of the affairs of the state, progress of seasonal agricultural works, current situation in the regions in the context of implementing national and regional development programs. Khyakim of Akhal velayat E.Orazgeldiyev was called first. He reported on the ongoing cotton harvesting campaign, activities on improving the social and living conditions of the rural population, and implementing the plans for expanding the region’s industrial infrastructure. The head of state stressed the necessity of completing the cotton harvest within the set deadlines, and ordered to ensure rational and efficient use of agricultural machinery without any downtime, and provide timely maintenance. Khyakim of Balkan velayat D.Durdyev, who was next to report, informed the nation’s leader on the indicators of work which is carried out currently by farmers and livestock producers, the ongoing preparation of agricultural equipment for the coming season. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the state of agricultural lands in the western region of the country and the importance of the organizational system, economic and technical measures aimed at improving soil fertility and creating the favorable conditions for development of agriculture. The session was continued with the report made by Khyakim of Dashoguz velayat O.Gurbannazarov who presented the operational analysis of manufacturing basic agricultural products in the region, including raw cotton, the picking of which was still underway. Furthermore, the khyakim spoke about the situation on major construction sites of the velayat. The nation’s leader pointed to the slow pace of gathering the remaining cotton crop in the fields of the northern region, and demanded from the khyakim to make more efficient use of all available technical means, and strengthen organizational support for the campaign to complete it in time, having gathered crop down to the last cotton boll. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov also gave instruction on enhancing the overall agricultural land productivity, which includes providing mineral fertilizers to farmers, creating appropriate agro-technical and economic conditions to increase production of fruits and vegetables. Khyakim of Lebap velayat Ch.Charlyev reported on the situation in the agro-industrial complex of the region and the pace of the final cotton harvesting stage. The head of state pointed out that delay in picking the remaining cotton crop and even the slightest loss of harvest were unacceptable, and ordered to take immediate steps to mobilize works. Khyakim of Mary velayat B.Annagurbanov presented his report on harvesting indicators: the amount of cotton collected in excess of the obligations, and harvesting activities in the fields. He also spoke about the construction works ongoing in the region and progressive development of the socio-economic infrastructure of rural areas. The nation’s leader stressed the necessity of taking the integrated approach to agriculture, and ordered to constantly monitor the introduction of science-based system of measures for advancing the farming culture, and effective agricultural engineering methods for higher and stable yield. Cabinet Deputy Chairmen R.Bazarov, B.Ereshov and B.Hojamammedov simultaneously joined the conference video call. The floor was first given to R.Bazarov who broadly covered the current situation in the country’s agro-industrial complex, and presented the report on the progress in preparing machinery and equipment for the new season, and mutual settlement of accounts with land tenants. Vice-Premier B.Ereshov reported on the output of mineral fertilizers, produced by industrial enterprises of the chemical complex and provided in full to local tenant farmers, and informed the President of Turkmenistan on works to enhance capacities of this industry. In turn, B.Hojamammedov spoke about measure that were being adopted to improve the financial and banking system in the country, which also included establishing market relation in the agro-industrial complex, improving its facilities and technical capacities and supporting farmers. The vice-premier also informed on mutual settlement of accounts with farmers and land tenants. In particular, the report was about the methods to stimulate commodity manufacturers in rural areas, improving agribusiness technical equipment level, socio-economic development of rural areas and creation of the conditions for fruitful work of farmers, promoting the initiative of the owner. The importance of timely settlements with tenants was also noted. Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Manager of the President’s Administration and the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Sh.Durdylyyev and Khyakim of Ashgabat city M.Abilov were called to the video conference session. The vice-premier reported on works ongoing to implement the plans for further improvement of the capital, development of the road network, as well as providing urban areas with all facilities and reconstruction of several streets. The head of state stressed that the main objective of our reform program still was creating all conditions for prosperous and comfortable living and productive work of the people. The nation’s leader gave the vice-premier several instructions on organizing the construction and maintenance works. Khyakim of Ashgabat city M.Abilov spoke about the creative design of the capital, appearance of its streets and buildings, and adoption of such decorative techniques as monumental mosaic panels, etc. Sketches of sculptures and the information on a concept of their placement in the new park in Ashgabat were presented as well. The head of state made major adjustments to presented sketches, and gave several valuable recommendations. Speaking of sculptures to be mounted in the park, the nation’s leader advised to use more expressive images and more effective techniques. Works by professors and students of the State Academy of Art, as well as by members of the Artists’ Union of the country do not keep up with the times, the President of Turkmenistan said, and expressed his dissatisfaction with the quality of their work. Several other issues related to future development of the capital, regions and sectors of the national economic complex were reviewed, and ways of resolving them were identified during the video-teleconference working session. Negotiations between President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President Vladimir Putin On November 1, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov paid a working visit to Sochi, the Russian Federation. At the international airport of Ashgabat the head of state was seen off by officials. A few hours later the President’s plane landed at the International airport of Sochi. In the air harbour, where on the flagstaff national flags of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation were raised, the high Turkmen guest was greeted by officials. Then the leader of nation proceeded to the Presidential Residence of the Russian Federation “Bocharov Ruchey”, located in the forest-park valley under the same name in the central district of the city of Sochi, where, at the front entrance, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov was warmly and hospitably welcomed by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The heads of two states passed into the building where bilateral summit talks took place in a Fireplace Hall. Having thanked President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov for the visit to the Russian Federation, President Vladimir Putin, bearing in mind negative tendencies in the world economy, underlined that, despite it, goods turnover between two countries grows in the rouble equivalent, and it means that volumes of mutual deliveries are on proper level. In 2015 imports from Turkmenistan to Russia doubled, and it can please us, the Russian leader told, having noted that, at the same time, still there are issues to work over, and the relevant matters will be discussed during today’s meeting. Taking an opportunity, President Vladimir Putin warmly congratulated the Turkmen leader on the 25th anniversary of Independence of Turkmenistan, having also reminded that next year one more significant date – the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries will be marked. Having expressed his Russian colleague sincere gratitude for the invitation to visit the Russian Federation and the accorded hearty welcome, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov underlined that Turkmenistan and Russia are connected by old, primordially friendly relations. In the present period the Turkmen - Russian dialogue is organically filled with the new maintenance and dynamically develops both at bilateral and multilateral levels, within the reputable international organisations. Turkmenistan steadily pursues peace-loving policy, and is the unique state in the world with its permanent neutral status recognised by the Community of Nations that has received an embodiment in two Resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the Turkmen leader told, having noted with gratitude that the Russian Federation not only had supported the neutrality of our country, but it also had acted as the co-author of these important documents. Both sides carry out much work to strengthen interstate relations, and we intend to continue undertaking consecutive steps in this area, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov emphasised. In this connection, having pointed out that our country attaches a great value to cooperation in the issues of forming the international transit -transport corridors, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov invited President Vladimir Putin to visit Turkmenistan and to take part in the First Global Conference on Sustainable Transport System to take place in Ashgabat on November 26-27, the current year under the United Nations auspices. Speaking of the presence of a wide network of the transport infrastructure in the Caspian region of really large-scale character, the President of Turkmenistan noted that participation of the Russian Federation in this representative forum will give an effective impulse to development of transport corridors not only in Central Asia, but also on the continent. Emphasising the fruitful character of humanitarian cooperation which covers a wide spectrum of areas such as science, education and culture, sports and tourism, the leader of nation referred as a bright example to the Turkmen-Russian comprehensive school named after Great Russian poet A.S.Pushkin, operating in Ashgabat. The steady tendency on increase in the number of young Turkmen nationals wishing to graduate is observed, and now in high schools of Russia about 17 thousand students from our country are educated, the head of state told. In Turkmenistan students at comprehensive schools and higher educational institutions study Russian and show sincere interest in it. Dwelling upon the theme of Turkmen - Russian cooperation, optimum involvement of its solid potential the President of Turkmenistan proposed to hold a scientific-technological forum next year in Ashgabat. As the leader of nation emphasised, the Russian Federation – great Russia was always, remains and will be a strategic partner of Turkmenistan, to which we attach special significance. Having expressed his Turkmen colleague sincere gratitude for kind words and the invitation to visit Turkmenistan, as well as for the discussed proposal on cooperation which will be necessarily worked over, President Vladimir Putin noted that the implementation of these ideas will contribute to further strengthening of Russian-Turkmen relations which have been stipulated earlier in the corresponding agreement. We in full volume meet all commitments which had been specified in this document, the Russian leader told, having pointed out the priority areas of partnership referred to by the President of Turkmenistan. Speaking of positive dynamics of bilateral contacts in various spheres, including in the area of parliaments, twin-cities, the President of Russia marked that all it is the contribution to the interstate dialogue which will be actively developed in the future, and which the Russian side also appreciates very much. In this connection, President Vladimir Putin warmly thanked President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov for the constant active attention given to cooperation with the Russian Federation. The major component of mutual relations is, certainly, the cooperation in trade and economic sectors, which possesses an impressive potential for diversification of productive relations. Great value in this regard is attached to work of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission, Turkmen-Russian and Russian-Turkmen business councils as well as regular meetings at various levels, economic and business forums, other events promoting the intensification of mutually advantageous contacts in a whole range of areas. In mutual opinion of the sides, one of the important vectors of Turkmen-Russian partnership was the established close cooperation between Turkmenistan and the largest regions of the Russian Federation, its leading industrial, scientific-educational and cultural centres. These include the Republic of Tatarstan, Astrakhan and Sverdlovsk areas, the city of St.-Petersburg, other subjects of the Russian Federation. Ample opportunities for successful cooperation are available also in the transport sector. Among the key areas of bilateral partnership are the fuel and energy complex, the sector which is strategic for both states as the global energy powers with huge stocks of hydro carbon resources. Dwelling upon the theme of Turkmen-Russian cooperation it should be noted once again the fruitfulness of interstate humanitarian relations, including the fields of education, science and culture. One of the promising areas of cooperation is sports, to development of which, as well as to strengthening principles of healthy and active lifestyle priority significance is attached in Turkmenistan and Russia. In the given field there has been gained successful experience of partnership, in particular, in the area of such sport as hockey. It is remarkable that in recent years this winter sport has found a great popularity among Turkmen youth in addition to figure skating that was promoted by creating the relevant modern infrastructure in our country. Today, cooperation in this area finds new stimulus in the context of the upcoming 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games to be held in Ashgabat in 2017. Turkmenistan will host a sporting event on such scale for the first time, and our country is interested in the study of the best world practices, including Russia’s experience in the organisation of large forums of this kind. Along with that, good possibilities are available for the Turkmen-Russian partnership and exchange of experience in the tourist industry, development of which caused by a variety of factors, including the growing interest in Turkmenistan, its natural sights and historical and cultural monuments, as well as rapidly emerging on the ecologically pure Caspian coast “Avaza” National Tourist Zone. The sides also exchanged views on issues on the regional and global agenda, representing mutual interest. Showing similarity or coincidence of views on actual problems and present challenges, Turkmenistan and Russia successfully develop constructive partnership in the format of reputable international organisations and agencies. The Russian side invariably supports the permanent neutral status of our country that has a significant role to play in maintenance of peace, security and well-being in the region, as well as the creative initiatives of Turkmenistan proposed from the platforms of the United Nations General Assembly and other high level forums. Summing up the detailed conversation, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that today’s meeting and the reached agreements will give a new impetus to traditionally friendly interstate cooperation built on principles of strategic full-scale partnership, and aimed at concrete results. Saying goodbye to each other, the heads of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation exchanged best regards to the peoples of both countries. Then President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov proceeded to the International airport of Sochi, and left for the homeland. Upon arrival in the International airport of Ashgabat the President of Turkmenistan was met by officials.