Today, President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov has held a regular meeting of the State Security Council. The agenda included the outputs of activities of the military and law enforcement agencies over five months of this year, issues of ensuring security and tranquility in the independent Turkmen state, as well as strengthening the material and technical resources of security agencies and further improving performance tehreof.

The first to speak was Secretary of the State Security Council, Minister of Defense B. Gundogdyev, who reported on the state of affairs in the Armed Forces, practical steps undertaken since the beginning of the year to successfully achieve the goals set by the head of Turkmen state for this institution. Information was provided on the work ongoing to equip the National Army units with modern technical machinery, and patriotic education of young soldiers. A separate topic in the report was the transfer to the reserve from the Armed Forces and the military conscription of the country’s citizens.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of strict implementation of the key provisions contained in the exclusively defensive Military Doctrine of the Turkmen state. Having specified the modernization of the material and technical resources of all branches of the armed forces as part of the priority measures, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country ordered to continue work in order to improve the professionalism of military personnel, create conditions for effective service and life of soldiers and officers.

Along with this, an instruction was given to keep the implementation of the Armed Forces Development Program under strict control. Focusing on the importance of organizing events among young soldiers and cadets based on the military traditions of the Turkmen people, in the spirit of patriotism and devotion to the Homeland, the President of the country gave the Secretary of the State Security Council, the Minister of Defense a number of specific instructions.

Prosecutor General S. Malikgulyev reported on the work carried out over the five months of 2023 to oversight the compliance with the current legislation. The report also covered the fulfillment of the instructions given earlier by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country.

Summing up the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that one of the key objectives of this institution is to ensure the rule of law, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, the interests of society and the state, having given the Prosecutor General specific instructions.

Further, Minister of Internal Affairs M. Hydyrov reported on the activities of supervised institutions in January-May, practical steps taken to maintain law and order, and optimize traffic flows on the highways of the capital and velayats. The report included information on the activities being carried out by the special department responsible for fire inspection.

Having heard the report, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country focused on the importance of implementing appropriate measures to ensure the rule of law and prevent crime. It was specified in this context that effective methods and modern technologies must be applied to successfully perform the priority mission facing the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The key duties of the internal affairs agencies include the control over the prevention of road traffic accidents. At the same time, in view of the summer season onset, the focus must be on compliance with the fire safety regime everywhere, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized.

The Minister of the Interior also reported on the operational activities carried out jointly with the military and law enforcement agencies to control the import into the country, illegal trade and consumption of tobacco products, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. In this regard, the results of organized events at the checkpoints of the state border and data on seized products smuggled into the territory of our state were presented. As was reported, appropriate measures were taken in accordance with the national legislation in relation to citizens who committed unlawful acts.

Summing up the report, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan pointed out the need for an uncompromising fight against the illegal import of tobacco products, hookah components and mixtures, and electronic cigarettes into the country, illegal trade and consumption thereof. Our state is committed to contributing to the expansion of tobacco-free areas in the world. Thanks to the ongoing state policy, a broad anti-tobacco movement has been launched, which has gained an unprecedented scale. In this context, special emphasis was placed on the importance of taking practical steps to eradicate such harmful habits as smoking in the Turkmen society.

Work aimed at the complete elimination of illicit trade in tobacco products has to be strengthened, strict control must be exercised over the supply chain, and preventive legal measures have to be applied, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov ordered, instructing the minister, to continue coordinated activities jointly with the relevant military and law enforcement agencies to combat the spread, consumption and import of these products.

Chairman of the Supreme Court B. Hodjamgulyev reported on the comprehensive work carried out during the period under review to improve the judicial system, measures being taken to improve the skills of employees, introduce digital technologies and use them in the performance of the main duties.

Summing up the report, the head of Turkmen state emphasized the importance of organizing the activity of this institution in accordance with generally recognized international standards and the high requirements of the modern epoch. An instruction was also given regarding the successful implementation of the provisions outlined in the Judicial System Development Program, the conduct of activities to train professional personnel, and the creation of appropriate conditions for the service and life of employees.

Further, Minister of National Security N. Atagaraev reported on the practical steps taken since the beginning of the year to maintain a beneficial social climate in the country, as well as on the use of modern methods and innovative technologies in the structural divisions of the ministry.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that ensuring a peaceful life is one of the key conditions for sustainable development of the Homeland. Great successes and high milestones achieved are inextricably linked with security in the state. In this context, focusing on the special mission entrusted to the Ministry of National Security and the enormous responsibility of its employees in dealing with the problems ahead, the President of Turkmenistan gave the minister specific instructions.

Then Chief of the State Border Service Ya. Nuryev reported on the state of affairs in the supervised formations, the results of work carried out over the past five months of the current year, and the comprehensive measures undertaken to protect the borders of the Homeland. The report also covered the implementation of the Development Program of this body.

Summing up the report, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan emphasized that the servicemen of the frontier troops are entrusted with the protection of the sacred borders of the sovereign Homeland, which must always remain the borders of friendship with all neighboring countries. Focusing on the priority areas of the institution’s activities, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed the Chief of the Service to continue upgrading the frontier posts and create appropriate conditions for the effective service of the valiant Homeland defenders.

Minister of Adalat M. Taganov reported on the practical steps taken over the period under review to comprehensively develop the national legislative framework, the implementation of the relevant Development Program, and the implementation progress of instructions given earlier by the President of the country.

Having heard the report, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan specified that the analysis of current legal instruments and the improvement of legislation to meet modern realities is one of the basic requirements of our time. The increase in the legal literacy of the population, the clarification of the adopted laws, and the application of new work methods were outlined among the priority objectives.

Then Chairman of the State Customs Service M. Hudaykulyev reported on the consistent measures having been undertaken since the beginning of the year to improve the efficiency of the institution headed by him. The report included information on the progress being made in equipping supervised divisions with modern technical hardware designed for the proper performance of the main duties and missions facing the department.

Summing up the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the growing geostrategic role of Turkmenistan on the Eurasian continent as an important crossroads of transport and transit corridors. The increase in the scope of work requires a responsible approach to exercising powers conferred by the employees of the Service, the head of state continued, having ordered to keep under control the compliance with the procedure for the movement of goods and vehicles across the customs border, and the widespread application of the digital system.

During the meeting, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief severely reprimanded Chairman of the State Customs Service M. Hudaykulyev for improper performance of official duties and shortcomings in work.

Chairman of the State Migration Service B. Volsakhatov reported on the state of affairs in the institution headed by him, as well as on the steps taken during the period under review to implement the Development Program of this institution, improve its performance, and develop the skills of employees.

Summing up the report, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country emphasized the necessity to approach the issues related to introducing advanced methods on a comprehensive basis, including the effective use of a digital system and positive experience, and gave specific instructions in this regard.

Then, addressing the meeting participants, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov stressed that our Independent Neutral Homeland is committed to the legal status of neutrality and maintains friendly and good neighborly relations with the countries and peoples of the world.

Proceeding from these principles, the Military Doctrine of our Homeland is purely defensive in nature. In accordance with this document, the infrastructure of military and law enforcement agencies will be further improved, the defense capability of our state will be strengthened and socio-living and working conditions of military personnel and members of their families will be improved, the President of Turkmenistan said.

Some other issues were also considered at the meeting of the State Security Council, on which appropriate decisions were made.

At the end of the meeting, President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished the participants sound health, wellbeing, and great success in responsible service for a peaceful and happy life of the people.