On the morning of January 23, with participation of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, a solemn ceremony of awarding workers of the railway industry, who had taken an active part in the construction of the international Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, was held in the Ruhyet Palace. Addressing to the ceremony participants, the leader of nation Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov has emphasized that Turkmenistan occupies a noteworthy position among the countries with the highest rates of development in all sectors. The large-scale programs aimed at the progressive development and new heights of the Motherland’s progress are successfully implemented. Employees of the railway sector make a significant contribution to realization of the adopted programs as well. Their activity is not limited to advancement of the country’s railway industry; they also take an active part in the accomplishment of important international projects. Our ancestors considered road and bridge building to be a good deed, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov said. Following their noble traditions, large-scale construction of modern highways and railways, bridges, which are significant for transport connection, is well under way in our country. Having cited the fruitful work in the railway sector as an eloquent example, the leader of nation has stressed that the year 2014 went down in the history of our sovereign Motherland as a year of successful implementation of the large projects aimed at the sector’s modernization and development. As known, the international railway “North-South” was successfully completed in last year’s December. The longest section of this new artery connecting both parts of the continent runs through the territory of our state. The railway (which together with side tracks is 825 kilometers long) was entirely built by Turkmen railwaymen from own funds and without participation of foreign companies. Regardless of difficult natural and climatic conditions, courageous Turkmen railwaymen worked selflessly and enthusiastically, having demonstrated their proficiency, experience and abilities to realize such a large-scale project, the leader of nation continued. They proved themselves to be capable of implementing the project of international importance, and managed to complete it in the shortest possible space of time; having carried out an impressive body of work on providing the required facilities within seven years. Scores of engineering facilities, railway stations, depots, stations, parking lots, as well as other relevant infrastructure were built along the international trunk railway. Deeply appreciative to all workers of the railway sector and other specialists, who worked selflessly to ensure high-quality construction and commissioning of the railway within the shortest possible time, the President of Turkmenistan has highlighted that we are very proud of courageous Turkmen railwaymen and all the workers of the domestic transport sector, who successfully implemented the large internationally important project. For active participation in construction of the international trunk railway “North-South”, as well as for outstanding services rendered to independent Turkmen state and the people, many years’ diligent work, impressive results and professionalism, a decision was made to decorate the best workers of our country’s railway sector with state awards and confer honorary titles on them. This serves as clear evidence of the fact that the government and the people highly appraise selfless labor of industrious Turkmen railwaymen, the nation’s leader stressed. Then, Cabinet Deputy Chairperson M. Yazmuhammedova read a Ukase on conferring the state awards and honorary titles on the employees of the railway industry, who had taken an active part in the construction of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov solemnly presented the state awards to the best railway workers. A number of workers were awarded honorary titles as well. One by one, the railway workers came on the stage with pride and excitement to receive the deserved awards from the President of Turkmenistan. Sincerely appreciative to President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov of his tireless activity for the sake of the Turkmen people’s happiness, the policy of progressive reforms and the positive initiatives, which won independent Turkmenistan high prestige and recognition of the world community of nations as well as for constant concern and consideration, the railway workers assured that they would devote their energies, knowledge and experience to their Motherland’s prosperity. Having warmly congratulated the ceremony participants on their state awards and honorary titles, the President wished everyone sound health, family well-being, happy life, remarkable achievements in the ongoing work on progressive advance of our independent country’s railway sector. The head of state expressed confidence that railway workers would continue to achieve the goals set, outstanding results and to make labor accomplishments, setting an example of conscientious and productive work. *** In the afternoon, the solemn ceremony of presenting the high state awards on behalf of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov continued in the assembly hall of the Ministry of Railway Transport. On behalf of the head of state, work collectives of the Ministry of Railway Transport were presented keys to “KRAZ” trucks. Then, a gala concert was held in the “Maslahat köşgi” Palace to mark the remarkable event.