President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov held extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers where priority issues of home and foreign policy have been reviewed. Hyakims of some velayats, cities and etraps, directors of universities, heads of mass media and non-governmental organizations and other leaders have been invited to participate in the session. Going over to the agenda, the President of Turkmenistan gave floor to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers M. Babayev. The Vice-premier reported on preparation of the event on occasion of the launch of construction of Afghan part of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line. Summing up the report, the Head of the State highlighted that creation of multidimensional system of transportation of Turkmen energy resources to the world’s markets, provision of reliability and safety of international supplies are important aspects of energy strategy of our country. This is practically implemented in foreign initiatives of Turkmenistan that are aimed at the formation of new model of global energy security as well as in large-scale international energy projects. TAPI is one of such projects, Head of the State Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said and gave relative instructions for provision of high organizational level of the events to the Vice-premier. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers D. Amangeldiyev reported on preparation to the start of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan - Pakistan electric line, on the Draft Resolution on compliance with deadline of high quality construction and opening of big industrial and social facilities in 2018. Reporting on the programme of opening of various facilities in the country in this year, the Vice-premier presented relative document stipulating the construction of 65 new objects. Having highlighted that construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line would be the beginning of new stage of large-scale works for supply of Turkmen energy to foreign countries, the Head of the State addressed the Vice-premier with number of assignments on provision of high level of the event. Focusing on key objectives of large-scale urban construction programme in Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of constructive approach to the elaboration of every project. After, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Abdiyeva reported on preparation to cultural events planned on February 23 and 26 on occasion of the launch of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line, Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power line, fibre optic line along the same route, opening of new railway Serhetabat – Turgundy at Turgundy Railway Station in Afghanistan, International Airport in Lebap Velayat and start of international rally Amul – Hazar 2018 along the Silk Route, bicycle and running competition. Wide cultural programme is dedicated to the ceremonies related with the realization of TAPI project. The history of the Silk Route that will be reflected in the performances of folk bands from different velayats of the country will be the main theme of the events. Folk collectives will present the traditions of hospitality of Turkmen nation, celebration ceremonies, national cooking, handcraft, sports and spring filed works traditions. Exhibitions will demonstrate the samples of national visual and decorative and applied arts items. Exhibition of decorative and applied arts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India is also planned. Having listened to the report and highlighted the importance of cultural component in foreign strategy of Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to hold all planned events on high level, having given specific instructions to the Vice-premier on this account. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers P. Agamyradov reported on the preparation to international rally Amul – Hazar 2018, bicycle ride and running cross. Having listened to the report, the President of the country focused that development of physical training and sports is defined as priority direction of the state policy. Turkmen leader noted that this strategy is aimed at the improvement of health of people, upbringing of strong, spiritually and physically fit young generation and development of the Olympic movement. In this regard, the Head of the State gave instruction to the Vice-premier on comprehensive preparation of all coming competitions along the Silk Route and their high organizational level. After, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Annameredov who reported on preparation to the laying of foundation stone ceremony of fibre optic communication line Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan as well as to the events on occasion of opening of International Airport in Turkmenabat. Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that Turkmenistan has perfect telecommunication system meeting high requirements of international standards. Laying of Trans Asian-European system of fibre optic communication across our country that became important telecommunication bridge not only in Central Asian region but also connecting link between East and West, North and South, supports further development of communication sphere as important segment of national economy. Having highlighted the importance of International Airport in Turkmenabat as significant link in the formation of modern regional transit and transport system, the Head of the State requested the Vice-premier to provide high organizational level of the opening ceremony. Next, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Foreign Minister R. Meredov reported on the work held by the MFA on preparation to international events related with the launch of construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India gas line. The Head of the State noted that implementing foreign course based on the principles of positive neutrality, open doors and constructive cooperation, our country makes specific input to the consolidation of fruitful international cooperation meeting universal interests. For these purposes, Turkmenistan initiates and successfully implements big infrastructural projects with foreign partners that are to support the solution of the goals of sustainable development in regional and global scale. In this context, having highlighted the importance of coming events, the President requested the Vice-premier, Head of the MFA to provide their high organizational level. After, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers K. Durdymyradov who supervises Lebap Velayat reported on preparation to international sport events in Turkmenabat on February 26 held to honour the slogan of 2018 “Turkmenistan –the Heart of the Great Silk Road”. Having listened to the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of coming big international sport events Amul - Hazar 2018 that are aimed at wide popularization of the Silk Route and national heritage. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers E. Orazgeldiyev reported on seasonal field works in the country. At present time, necessary agrotechnical activities for care of winter crops like vegetation irrigation and mineral fertilizing are carried out. At the same time, preparation of the land to spring cotton sowing as well as preparation of the seeding material taking into account soil and climate conditions are ongoing. The Vice-premier also reported on the provision of the population with fruits and vegetables. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of the field activities that make the basis of future generous harvest, having given the instruction to provide their full compliance with scientifically base technology. The Head of the State highlighted the necessity of wide implementation of water saving technologies to agricultural complex of the country. After, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers o. Gurbannazarov reported on the situation in the spheres under his supervision and on work carried out by relative departments together with the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan for the provision of local market with wide variety of consumer goods, expansion of non-governmental sector of the economy and improvement of its potential. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave instructions to the Vice-premier on the improvement of trade and entrepreneurship activity, creation of the conditions for activation of business and encouragement of private initiative in formation of competitive industrial complex of the country, implementation of advanced practice and development of international relations in this sphere. After, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers G. Myradov reported on practical measures taken for the improvement of the competiveness of national economy, efficient management of state property and improvement of the role of private sector. In this regard, the outcomes of work performed by the Ministry of Finances and Economy together with related ministries and departments for making of the list of facilities and enterprises of the government property subjected to privatization have been reported to the President. During the report, the Vice-premier informed about preparation to publishing of the first issues of Finance and Economics magazine. Addressing Vice-premiers G. Myradov and D. Amangedliyev, the Head of Turkmenistan noted that at present moment, the entrepreneurs of the country arranged the production of various construction materials. In this regard, the Head of the State ordered to provide construction companies with necessary materials of local production. Having focused on the importance of the improvement of construction works and application of modern methods in work organization, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave relative assignments to the Vice-premier. Chairperson of the Mejlis A. Nurberdiyeva informed about the activity of National Parliament for modernization of the legislation of the country. Having listened to the information, the President focused on the necessity of use of positive experience with largest international organizations, first of all with the UN, in further cooperation in number of important joint projects including in democracy and law, protection of children, gender and other rights. During extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, the President of Turkmenistan highlighted historical significance of large-scale events planned to be held in Mary and Lebap Velayats and addressed the heads of regional administrations with number of specific assignments for provision of high organizational level of remarkable events and coordinated activity of all structures. Addressing Minister of Internal Affairs I. Mulikov, the Head of the State ordered to organize all preparation activities related to coming start of International rally Amul – Hazar 2018, its conduct and completion in September. Continuing the session, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the participants, having outlines the objectives in near term. The President noted that consolidation of partnership positions with neighbouring countries in Asian region is one of the priority directions of foreign policy of neutral Turkmenistan. Hence, we do our work aimed at the protection of high level of dynamically developing interstate relations on multilateral base under competent international and regional organizations. We carry out fruitful work in the region for the realization of large-scale projects, the Head of the State said, bringing realization of TAPI project, which is of special importance today, as well as other significant projects in energy, communication and transport as an example. The construction of TAPI gas line, which we would launch together with the heads of other countries on February 23 and which would deliver Turkmen gas Asian countries, would be inscribed with golden letters to the history of our independent neutral state, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted. This largest gas pipeline of the century will give strong impulse to the development of the economy of the countries of the region and will open the opportunities for thousands of occupancies. TAPI will support the formation of electrical energy, transport and communication, social and living infrastructures. In addition to the provision of all TAPI facilities with electrical power, the construction of energy systems will give the opportunity to provide the power to the countries of the region. The opportunity of its export via Afghanistan to Pakistan and other Asian countries will appear. Earlier, the governments of these countries showed the interest in soonest completion of this project. Our independent state, which is considered as the main hub in Central Asia and in the centre of the Silk Road and recognized as important information and communication bridge between the East and the West, the North and the South, would continue supporting further development of telecommunication system providing international standards and high quality of information exchange, the Head of the State highlighted. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also noted that successful realization of the above-mentioned projects would bring considerable income to the budget of Afghanistan for transit of gas, electrical energy, industrial goods and information communications. Gas line would contribute the stability and steadfast social and economic development, Turkmen leader summed up. The second event, which would be held on February 26, the Head of the State continued, woul also be remarkable historical event in the life of the country. The policy of our independent state on support of healthy life style, development of sports gives positive results. This is indicated by the medals and prizes that Turkmen sportsmen regularly win at international tournaments. You all know high organizational level of V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Our athletes were the first by the number of medals at these competitions. Cycling and running competitions, which are to be started in few days, international rally of Dakar level and World Powerlifting Championship would be historical events in sport life of our state and would give string impulse to the development of these sports in the country, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted. Recently, we put into operation big facility for production of glass and glassware under the Programme of social and economic development of Turkmenistan in 2018 – 2024 and the Programme of industrial development of our state. On February 26, we will ceremonially open Turkmenabat International Airport. The growth of transport communications will contribute to further dynamic development of Lebap Velayat that has colossal reserves of natural resources, which would allow providing the development of the industry and turn Turkmenistan into industrially strong state. The events planned on February 23, 26 are very important to us, and we will hold them traditionally on high organizational level. Having reminded the participants that our country would observe the Day of Diplomatic Personnel on Sunday, February 18, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of activity of Turkmen diplomats aimed at the improvement of international authority of the country. Supporting the principles of permanent neutrality, the President continued, our state makes considerable contribution to the development of political, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian relations in the world. Guided by the policy of positive neutrality, Turkmenistan consolidates close cooperation with different states and competent international organizations, puts much efforts for support of peace on the planet, development of friendly relations proposing constructive initiatives. Diplomats of our country play important role in popularization of home and foreign policy of Turkmen state in the world, which is aimed at the improvement of good neighbour relations, provision of security and universal sustainable development and beneficial cooperation. The Head of the State warmly congratulated the participants and all diplomats of the country in their person on coming Day of Diplomatic Personnel of Turkmenistan. At the end of extended session of the Cabinet of Ministers, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished all participants strong health, family wealth and great success in work.