On December 9, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov convened an enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers to draw together conclusions from the 11-month work of the government and sectoral industries, analyze the implementation progress of the national socio-economic programs, discuss the important issues of state life, and outline the concrete tasks for the immediate future. At the meeting, attended by representatives of the Parliament, the universities’ rectors, newspapers’ and magazines’ senior editors, the reports were made by vice-premiers, heads of ministries and departments, velayats’ khyakims; a sober estimate was given to the results of their work; consideration was also given to the personnel-related issues. Cabinet Deputy Chairman B.Hojamammedov reported on the 11-month macroeconomic indicators achieved in 2016, as well as on the complex measures undertaken to ensure sustainable development of the national economy. During the period under review, the GDP growth rate has reached 6.2 percent. In the industrial sector this figure increased by 1.1 percent; construction – by 4.4 percent; transport and communications – by 10.4 percent; trade – by 14.2 percent; agriculture – by 12 percent; services – by 9.7 percent. According to the data reported by ministries and sectoral departments, compared to the last year’s similar period, the output of products increased by 3.4 percent; an increase in the retail trade turnover exceeded 16.9 percent; wage rates of the country’s large and medium-sized enterprises against last year’s similar period increased by 9.4 percent. Reporting on the implementation of the State Budget of Turkmenistan, the Vice-Premier informed that over January-November period of 2016, the revenues made up 13.7 billion manats, and expenditures – 15.1 billion mantas; the salaries of state institutions’ and self-financing enterprises’ employees, as well as pensions, public welfare payments, scholarships of students and trainees, were timely funded. Currently, the industrial- and socio-cultural objects are being built in all corners of the country. The volume of expended investments at the expense of all finance sources amounted to 48.4 billion manats (a 0.2 percent increase). Over the January-November period, in the frames of the revised National Rural Development Program, construction was completed of 51 social objects, of more than 3.9 thousand kilometers of utilities, over 1 million square meters of housing facilities. Construction is in progress of 27 water and sewage treatment facilities, 59 buildings, more than 808.2 thousand square meters of housing, and various engineering infrastructure objects. In general, budgeting of capital needs amounted to 2.2 billion manats. The report also focused on the construction progress of the buildings and structures in accordance with the Guidelines for Industry Development in the regions. As of today, construction of 209 objects is completed; and construction works at 111 objects keep going. As a result of commissioning new enterprises, the abundance of goods is ensured on the country’s domestic market; it also created a significant number of additional jobs. The report of the Central Bank’s Executive Board Chairman M.Annadurdyev covered practical solution of the tasks the Bank faces in improving the national banking system. The head of state expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of the agencies answerable to B.Hojamammedov, having necessitated increasing the executive efficiency and discipline of the appropriate ministries and departments, state and joint-stock commercial banks. The President of Turkmenistan severely reprimanded Vice-Premier B.Hojamammedov, Chairman of the Main State Taxation Service S.Gundogdyev, Minister of Economy and Development B.Bazarov and Minister of Finance M.Muhammedov, the General Director of the State Insurance Organization A.Amanmedova for unsatisfactory fulfillment of official duties and improper organization of work of the departmental structures. The President of Turkmenistan relieved L.Amanniyazova of her duties of Deputy Chairman of the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan in connection with the retirement, having appointed G.Annanyyazova to this post. In turn, reporting on this year’s 11-month outcomes of work of the supervised sectors, Cabinet Deputy Chairman R. Bazarov noted that on the whole, in the agro-industrial complex, the growth rates in production, implementation of works and services reached 103.8 percent, notably, in the Ministry of Water Resources Management an increase reached 5.5 percent; the State Committee for environment and land resources protection – 14.3 percent; State Food Industry Association – 0.4 percent; “Turkmenatlary” State Association – 25.5 percent. Compared with the last year’s similar period, the production of flour increased by 5.3 percent, macaroni products – 3.8 percent, meat – 1.3 percent, milk – 1.3 percent, eggs – 4.8 percent, vegetables – 8.6 percent, melons – 16.4 percent, fruits and berries – 1.6 percent. The plan for budgeting capital needs is fulfilled by131.6 percent by the departments of the agri-complex. Reporting on the progress of seasonal agricultural activities, the vice-premier noted that currently, the following seasonal agri-works are in progress: managing the fields planted to winter crops; watering of the fields in the seedling stage; feeding the soil with mineral fertilizers; implementing weed control operations. Addressing to the Vice-Premier and the heads of agro-industrial complex, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov made a number of serious remarks concerning the cotton harvest campaign, agricultural equipment employment, rational use of production capacities in the food industry, raising the level of crop yields. The head of state demanded to increase the construction paces of the greenhouses and agri-food enterprises, land grading operations, to improve application of farming standards and the scientifically proven crop rotation practices. Then, the Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan A. Hallyev reported on a number of shortcomings detected by results of operations and checks implemented in the course of wheat and cotton harvesting campaigns. Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber Ch.Gylyjov reported on the results of the audit analysis, the deficiencies identified in the sphere of agriculture, and on the implementation progress of the programs on budgeting capital needs. The President of Turkmenistan signed the documents on giving a severe reprimands to Cabinet Deputy Chairman R.Bazarov, Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources Management N.Sapardurdyev, Chairperson of the State Committee for environment and land resources protection M.Annabaev and Chairman of the State Food Industry Association K.Kuliev. Then, the floor was given to Akhal velayat khyakim E.Orazgeldiev, who reported on the situation in the farmlands and on the fulfillment of the presidential commissions in the framework of the National Rural Development Program. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has noted that in the etraps of velayat no upward trends were observed in the velayat’s production capacities, efficient use of agricultural equipment, and increase of crop capacity. Pointing to the shortcomings in the region’s agricultural sector, the head of state reprimanded severely the Akhal velayat khyakim E.Orazgeldiev and his Deputy for Agriculture T.Atahallyev. In addition, A.Garajaev was relieved of his duties of Akhal velayat Prosecutor for relaxing control over the implementation of the government decisions and improper performance of official duties. Then, Balkan velayat khyakim D.Durdyev reported on the activities and current measures undertaken in the region’s agricultural sector to meet the tasks set in the National Rural Development Program. The head of state said that the activities on the agricultural production development in the velayat’s territory did not meet the demands of the times. In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reprimanded severely khyakim D.Durdyev and his Deputy for Agriculture D.Ataev for unsatisfactory fulfillment of the official duties, also the velayat’s Procurator E.Garamanov - for weakening control over the works carried out in the region, and signed the appropriate orders. During the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers, Dashoguz velayat khyakim O.Gurbannazarov reported on the 11-month indicators of the seasonal agricultural and other activities accomplished in the northern region. Pointing to the out-of-date approaches to the agriculture development in Dashoguz velayat, the head of state demanded to bring the work in the sector up to the mark and reprimanded severly khyakim O.Gurbannazarov, his Deputy for Agriculture M. Gurbanov, as well as Procurator of the velayat M. Atageldiev. Then, Lebap velayat khyakim Ch.Charlyev reported on the situation in the region, the activities on increase of the agricultural production volumes. Focusing on the state of affairs in the agro-industrial sector of Lebap velayat, the President of Turkmenistan has noted that the work carried out in the sector shows no significant results due to weak coordination of the structures involved. In this regard, the head of state reprimanded severely khyakim Ch.Charlyev and his Deputy for Agriculture D.Setdarov, as well as the Prosecutor of the velayat Sh.Garaev. Next speaker, Mary velayat khyakim B.Annagurbanov, reported on the situation in the farmlands of velayat. Summarizing the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on low organizational level of agri-works aimed at increasing productivity in the agricultural structures of the velayat’s etraps, raising the level of crop yield, activating the measures on the rational use of water resources. In this regard, the head of state reprimanded severely khyakim B.Annagurbanov, his Deputy for Agriculture J.Annaev, as well as Procurator of the velayat A. Gulyev, and signed the appropriate orders. Then, addressing Vice-premier R. Bazarov, the President of Turkmenistan pointed to the necessity to speed the work on implementing the earlier commission of the head of state – to make up the Land Cadastre. The President of Turkmenistan also signed a document on establishing of the Commission, which would include vice-premiers responsible for velayats, velayats’ khyakims, heads of the Supreme Control Chamber and General Prosecutor’s Office. The Commission would reveal the persons guilty in the shortcomings available in agriculture, whether it is the leaders of Daikhan Associations or the etraps’ khyakims. Vice-premier would have to submit the proposals on the punishment (or dismissal) of such managers and the report on the work executed in this area till December17, the head of state said. Cabinet Deputy Chairman Ya.Kakaev reported on the running year’s 11-month work results in the supervised sectors. The report was mainly focused on such issues, as the indicators achieved in: production of oil and gas condensate, natural and associated gas; in the industry of processing the hydrocarbon raw materials; production of gasoline, diesel fuel, polypropylene, lubricating oils, other petroleum products and liquefied gas; well drilling. It was noted that the oil and gas companies fulfilled the plan for budgeting capital needs by 154.5 percent; construction of the Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas pipeline keeps going in accordance with the schedule approved. Unsatisfied with the situation in the fuel-and-energy complex, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov gave to vice-premier Ya.Kakaev several serious remarks on the activities of the “Turkmengaz”, “Turkmennebit” and “Turkmennebitgazgurlushyk” State Corporations, the Turkmenbashi Refinery Complex. The President of Turkmenistan reprimanded severely Cabinet Deputy Chairman Ya.Kakaev, as well as Chairmen of the “Turkmengaz”, “Turkmennebit” and “Turkmennebitgazgurlushyk” State Concerns - A.Begliev, T.Begjanov and M.Meredov, Director General of the Turkmenbashi Refinery Complex B.Alymov. After signing the relevant documents, the head of state assigned the heads to immediately eliminate the shortcomings revealed. The outcomes of 11-month activity of the supervised sectors of transport and communications were in the centre of the report made by Cabinet Deputy Chairman S.Satlykov. As vice-premier reported, on the whole, in the transport-communication complex over the reporting period, the plan for execution of works and services has made up 109.8 percent (the growth rate -101.3 percent). According to the Ministry of Railway Transport, the work plan was fulfilled by 115 percent. According to the Ministry of Road Transport, the growth rate of services during the reporting period amounted to 100.3 percent; cargo transporting -102.2 percent, the passenger traffic – 101.3 percent. Over the January-November period, according to the Ministry of Communications, the growth rate of works accomplished amounted to 109.9 percent. In the accounting period, to meet the demands for communications services, 452 thousands of phone points have been installed in the country (191 percent of the plan). According to the “Turkmenhowayollary” State National Service, over the period under report, the growth rate of rendering aviation services reached 114.8 percent. This figure in cargo and passenger traffic amounted to 100 and 103.2 percent, respectively. According to the State Service of Marine and River Transport, the growth rate of services rendered over the January-November period is 100.7 percent (in the cargo traffic -101.1 percent, passenger transportation – 101.2 percent). Commenting on the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has focused attention on the fact that in the transport-communications sector it is necessary to implement the targeted measures on upgrading all the structures of the complex. The directives and recommendations were also given on maintaining the railroads in the proper operating condition, on construction and modernization of warning, communication, and power supply systems. The head of state expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the works executed in the transport-communication industry lagged behind the modern requirements. In this regard, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reprimanded severely vice-premier S.Satlykov, Minister of Railway Transport B. Annameredov, Chairman of the State Service of Marine and River Transport A.Gurdov, having signed the appropriate decrees. Cabinet Deputy Chairman B. Ereshov reported on the current year’s 11-month work outcomes in the industrial sector and its departments. As for the Ministry of Industry of Turkmenistan, over the January-November period of 2016, the plan for the volume of works, produced goods and rendered services was implemented by 111.5 percent. According to the Ministry of Textiles, the current year’s 11-month production plan has made up 108.2 percent (1.2 percent increase). The “Turkmenhaly” State Association has fulfilled the output production plan by 109 percent in the period under review (a 4.6-percent growth). The “Turkmenhimiya” State Concern’s enterprises have implemented the current year’s 11-month plan by 108.5 percent (a 15-percent production growth). According to the State Fishery Committee, production indicators increased by 22.6 percent, including fishing – by 23.7 percent. Focusing attention on the priorities for the industrial complex development, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov pointed out the importance of consistent expanding the capacities of the home industry’s enterprises, introduction of high technologies and progressive methods of management and control. The President of Turkmenistan expressed displeasure with disuse in full of the sector’s production capacities and the results of measures undertaken in this area. The head of state reprimanded severely vice-premier B.Ereshov, Minister of Industry D. Nursahedov, Minister of Textile Industry T.Gurbanmamedov and reprimanded the Chairman of the “Turkmenhimiya” State Concern M.Aidogdyev, Chairman of the State Fishery Committee T.Pashiev, Chairman of the “Turkmenhaly” State Association O.Ishangulyeva for unsatisfactory fulfillment of their official duties. Next speaker, Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Chief Manager of the Presidential and Cabinet Administration Office Sh. Durdylyev submitted a report on the current year’s 11-month outcomes of work of the structures answerable to him, and also on the work carried out on the improvement of the Turkmen capital. Thus, over the January-November period of 2016, Ashgabat city’s khyakimlik fulfilled the plan for the execution of works and provision of services by 100.9 percent, while the growth rate compared to the last year’s similar period amounted to 109.3 percent. The Ministry of Construction and Architecture of Turkmenistan has fulfilled the approved working plan by 120.7 percent, having reached the growth rate of 101.3 percent in comparison with the indicators of the January-November period of 2015. The output production, works executed and services rendered by the structural units of the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan amounted to 122.3 percent (a 112.1-percent growth rate); the growth rate of electric power production made up 105.97 percent, export – 117.7 percent. According to the Ministry of Communal Services of Turkmenistan, the output production, the works performed and services rendered amounted to 111.5 percent of the projected indicator. The growth rate made up 111.3 percent. The “Turkmenawtoyollary” State Concern fulfilled the plan by 100.6 percent, ensuring the growth rate at the level of 102.1 percent compared to the last year’s eleven months. The report also included information about the work conducted on improvement of Ashgabat. Addressing vice-premier Sh.Durdylyev, the head of state pointed to the need for exercising strict personal control over the activity of all the subordinated structures, which should continue to execute all the approved-by-the-plan volumes of works. The head of state said that the organizational approaches in the construction and energy sectors and community facilities leave much to be desired. In this context, the President of Turkmenistan signed a Decree on issuing a reprimand to Minister of Construction and Architecture Ch.Ataev and Minister of Energy D.Rejepov for unsatisfactory performance of their official duties and failure to fulfill the production targets. Severe reprimand was given to Khyakim of Ashgabat city M.Abilov for improper arrangement of work in the capital. Addressing all the leaders of the domestic construction sector and the khyakim of Ashgabat city, the head of state instructed them to pay primary attention to improving and comprehensive developing the country’s capital city, which is to become the symbol of great transformations in the prosperous epoch of the powerful state. Cabinet Deputy Chairman B.Atdaev reported on the work results in the trade complex over the past 11 months of the running year. Thus, compared to the last year’s similar period, in January-November, as for the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the total trade turnover (over 3.9 billion mantas) increased by 5.3 per cent, and the balance sheet profit in the amount of 547.4 million mantas - by 0.4 per cent. Budgeting of capital needs by the enterprises of the Ministry reached 225.2 million manats. The State Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange conducted 224 trading sessions, during which over 14 thousand contracts were registered (to the sum of more than 20.8 billion manat). The cost of export and import transactions was about 12.3 billion manats, and the construction contracts made up more than 4.7 billion manats. For the period under review, budgeting of capital needs reached 51.3 million manats. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January-November carried out the works amounting to 17.3 million manats, having overfulfilled the plan by 6 percent. During the period under review, 22 exhibitions and 26 conferences were held. As for the Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Union of Turkmenistan, the output production totaled 560.8 million manats (32.6 percent growth rate); the cost of agricultural output and food products totaled 994.8 million mantas (36.5 percent increase). Building and assembly works were accomplished to the sum of 5.3 billion mantas (3.1 percent increase). The trade turnover amounted to 9.5 billion manats with a 2.8 percent increase. In the service sector, the works were performed to the amount of 798.9 million mantas (a 3.1 percent increase). Giving the instructions to B.Atdaev, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov drew his attention to the goals of the trade sector in connection with preparations for the New Year’s Holiday, and charged the vice-premier with strengthening control over ensuring ample supplies of high-quality foodstuffs and industrial goods to the markets, shopping centers and shops of the country. Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan A. Nurberdyeva informed on the national parliament’s activity for the eleven months of the current year. Over this period, six sessions of the national parliament were held, which adopted 85 laws and 86 resolutions of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, and a number of international treaties were ratified; Mejlis deputies attended 49 international events and seminars; they made business trips to foreign countries to study the international lawmaking experience. Since the beginning of year, 57 meetings were held with representatives of international organizations; cooperation with the structural agencies of the United Nations in Ashgabat keeps going. The parliamentarians systematically carry out an extensive work on explaining the new articles of the revised Constitution of Turkmenistan, promoting our country’s global initiatives, as well as on supporting the ongoing government programs. In the report follow-up comments, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov pointed to the necessity to intensify the activity of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on improving the national legislation as a legal platform for dynamic socio-economic reforms, as well as on developing the regulatory-legal acts, and strengthening the legal framework of international relations. Reporting on the Foreign Ministry’s 11-month activities, Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov informed about the work carried out to implement the foreign policy strategy of neutral Turkmenistan aimed at the development of effective cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats. During the period under review, through the Foreign Ministry, Turkmenistan was visited by 406 foreign delegations of various levels. At the same time, 916 delegations of our country have visited foreign countries. 178 events - conferences, seminars, meetings, etc., were organized in cooperation with foreign partners. The report also included information that the Turkmenistan’s legal framework of international cooperation was supplemented by 136 documents. As was pointed out, to date, our country has established diplomatic relations with 142 states. The inter-ministerial consultations are held on a regular basis to promote the all-round development of the constructive dialogue between our country and other nations of the world. Thus, 29 formal meetings of the kind have taken place since the beginning of the year. In addition, 16 meetings of intergovernmental commissions were held, the activity of which directly contributes to the progressive dynamics of bilateral trade-economic, humanitarian and cultural relations. Noting that all these principles and positions are reflected in the successfully implemented Turkmenistan’s Foreign Policy Concept for 2013-2017, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reaffirmed our country’s adherence to active and proactive participation in the efforts of the global community to develop the balanced solutions of the urgent issues and present-day challenges. In this regard, the nation’s leader instructed the vice-premier, the Foreign Minister to develop a similar Concept for the next period, which will contribute to further expanding of the constructive cooperation with foreign partners on the long-term and systemic basis. Cabinet Deputy Chairperson G. Mammedova reported on the activities of the supervised sectors over the eleven months of the running year. As was noted, in the frames of the announced in our country Year of Honoring the Heritage, Transforming the Homeland, a variety of activities was organized aimed at glorifying, widespread popularizing and furthering study of the national cultural heritage. A number of events with the participation of domestic and foreign culture and art workers were held in accordance with the plan developed on the occasion of declaring Dashoguz city the cultural capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States for 2016. During the reporting period, Turkmenistan hosted Days of Culture of a number of friendly countries, and Days of Culture of Turkmenistan took place in foreign states. According to the vice-premier, the work is under way to improve the work of theaters, museums, libraries and other cultural institutions. In accordance with the Resolution of the President of Turkmenistan, the integrated electronic library system was introduced into central libraries answerable to the Ministry of Culture. The work of domestic media is being improved to meet the modern requirements. During the period under review, the Turkmen State Publishing Service fulfilled the plan by 138.4 percent. The Book Center “Galkynysh” supplied the country’s libraries with 45 types of book products. The State Committee of Turkmenistan on TV, Radio Broadcasting and Cinematography takes measures to ensure the high quality of radio and television broadcasts. Active work is carried out on the TV and radio channels to extensively cover the ongoing in our country large-scale progressive transformations and achievements. The common benefit from the financial activities of the State Tourism Committee has exceeded 39 million manats since the beginning of year; the services were rendered to 107.5 thousand tourists. Having heard the report, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov focused on the fact that international events contribute to building the bridges for humanitarian relations between the nations, acquainting the citizens of Turkmenistan with the world culture, and popularizing the priceless heritage of the nation in the global arena. Therefore, they must be organized at the highest level. Cabinet Deputy Chairman S.Toilyev was next to report on the 11-month work results in the supervised sectors. Reporting on the results characterizing the national education system’s dynamics, as well as the work carried out to strengthen and modernize its material and technical base, the vice-premier said that secondary schools (9,540-seat total capacity) and kindergartens (2,970-seat total capacity), the Engineering and Technology University named after Oghuz Khan (3,000-capacity), and 300-seat children’s recreation center have been built and commissioned during the reporting period. Turkmen schoolchildren (winners of subject Olympiads and project contests) and students took active part in the international intellectual competitions, where they won 77 and 24 medals, respectively. The achievements of students of secondary schools, colleges and vocational schools include 344 prizes and the relevant diplomas, which they won in the international Internet competitions. During the period under review 318 titles of textbooks and teaching aids were prepared and put into print, of which 190 have already been published. In the framework of preparations for the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the teachers of higher educational institutions developed special phrasebooks and sports dictionaries. Reporting on the work results in the national healthcare system, the vice-premier informed that the following growth rates were observed in this area: State Voluntary Medical Insurance - 102 percent; the self-supporting units and paid services - 110 percent; the pharmaceutical production - 107 percent. With regard to the state of affairs in the field of sports, the vice-premier reported that 163 internal competitions and 85 sporting events were held during the period under review. Turkmen athletes participated in 132 international competitions, where they won 581 prizes (197 gold, 182 silver and 202 bronze medals) - 236 awards more than in the same period of last year. Emphasizing the importance of such areas as education, science, healthcare and sports, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to carry on the task-oriented work to further improve them in accordance with the adopted programs and plans. Addressing the Government members, the leaders of ministries and regional administrations, the head of state instructed to hold the meetings in the supervised sectors and velayats on December 13 in order to thoroughly analyze the work results for the past 11 months, determine the reasons for serious shortcomings, and take measures to rectify the situation as soon as possible. The effectiveness of these measures will be assessed in the course of thorough checks to be conducted by the Supreme Control Chamber and the Prosecutor General’s Office, the outcomes of which will be reported at the Cabinet session on the results of 2016. Summarizing the reports made at the Cabinet session, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said that despite some shortcomings in the oil and gas sector, in general, the work results testify to keeping high growth rates in all the sectors of the national economy. Good production paces were kept throughout the 11 months of the year. The rates of wages, pensions and benefits increased. Many new industrial and social facilities had been built and commissioned in the country. Having reminded that very little time is left to the New Year’s Holiday and all the commenced works are to be finished, the head of state instructed the vice-premiers and ministers, especially B. Hojamammedov, to properly prepare for the Cabinet session on summing up the results of the current year. During the enlarged Cabinet session on the year’s results, consideration will be given to the draft documents aimed at furthering reforms in the agricultural sector, oil and gas industries, and to the preparations for the V Asian Games. Addressing the Government members and all the officials invited to the enlarged session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reminded of the noble tradition - on the eve of every big holiday to hold the action of pardoning and releasing from prisons of the convicted citizens, who have sincerely repented of what they have done, and are ready to start a new honest life. In this connection, the floor was given to Ya. Berdiev, the Secretary of the State Security Council of Turkmenistan, Minister of Defense, Chairman of the Commission for Preparing Proposals on Citizenship and Pardoning Affairs under the President of Turkmenistan, who reported on the work of the Commission, and submitted to the head of state for consideration a draft Ukase “On pardoning of the convicted persons on the occasion of the national holiday - Neutrality Day of Turkmenistan”. Guided by the noble traditions of ancestors, to the applause of the meeting attendees, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov signed a Ukase on Pardoning. In accordance with the Ukase, 561 Turkmen citizens and foreign nationals convicted in the territory of our country are released from the places of confinement in honor of the upcoming 21st anniversary of neutrality. The Supreme Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan instructed Minister of Defense Ya. Berdiev together with the heads of law enforcement agencies to make sure that all the pardoned people were released from the prisons and joined their families in the near future. Addressing the khyakims of velayats, etraps, cities and other self-government members, the head of state instructed them to take all necessary measures for job placement of the pardoned citizens. Following the humane traditions of clemency of our ancestors, we adhere to the universally recognized rules of international law in the protection of human rights and freedoms, the head of state continued. We respect the right of people to freely choose citizenship. In this regard, we have arrived at a decision to grant the citizenship of Turkmenistan to 1,381 persons. In this connection, the floor was given to Cabinet Deputy Chairman, Foreign Minister R. Meredov, who reported on a draft Ukase “On granting the citizenship of Turkmenistan”. In the framework of the international projects implemented in this area throughout 2011-2015, in accordance with the Ukases issued by the head of state, the citizenship of Turkmenistan had been granted to 5,074 persons. These wise and humane decisions clearly demonstrate the practical implementation by our country of its commitments under the UN Conventions on the humanitarian fields and other multilateral international documents.