Speaking at the People’s Council meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has characterized Turkmenistan’s post-independence period, having noted that the country has dramatically transformed from an agricultural country into an industrialized country.

The proclamation of neutrality as Turkmenistan’s official legal status and the main line of foreign policy was a life-changing decision, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, speaking at the Khalk Maslakhaty meeting in Ashgabat.

The first People’s Council meeting, chaired by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has opened in the capital’s Ruhyyet Palace. The national forum will focus on priority objectives of the all-round development of Turkmenistan and Turkmen society.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers with the participation of the members of the State Security Council, Hyakims of the velayats and Ashgabat. The session was held in “Ruh” hall of the Ruhiyet Palace. The agenda of the session included preparation to the session of the People’s Council and celebration of the 27th anniversary of Independence of Turkmenistan as well as fulfilment of the programmes of social and economic development of the country.

In the Shat Hall of the Ruhyyet Palace, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has presented the Mejlis Chairperson, vice-premiers, senior officials of military and law enforcement agencies, heads of regional and Ashgabat city authorities with commemorative badges to mark the 27th anniversary of the country’s independence and handed them as gifts his new books – a popular science book entitled “Turkmenistan – the Heart of the Silk Road” (Volume 2) and the monograph entitled “Turkmenistan: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree on Granting of Turkmenistan Citizenship, according to which 735 people, which represent various nationalities who live permanently in Turkmenistan and do not have any citizenship, became the citizens of the country.

The President of Turkmenistan signed the Resolution, having assigned the State Committee for Television, Radio and Cinematography and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold the 55th session of the Asian Pacific Broadcast Union and the events under this session in Ashgabat on September 30 – October 5.

The President of Turkmenistan signed the Ressolution on Construction of new modern villages in Gyoktepe and Kaahka etraps , Ahal Velayat.

The President of Turkmenistan signed the Resolution, according to which number of the heads of the government authorities were awarded with commemorative badge on occasion of the 27th anniversary of Turkmenistan Independence.

President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the country Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed the Decree on Amendments to some Decrees of the President of Turkmenistan and on recognition of the some of them as having lost force, according to which the first part of the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan No. 204 from October 10, 2017 on Celebration and Memorial Days observed in Turkmenistan is added with additional point on the Word Bicycle Day on June 3. The same document recognizes the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan No 3693 from August 23, 2002 on Approval of Sample of Colours of military divisions of Border Guard Forces of Turkmenistan as having lost its force.