Today, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has held a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers via a digital system to discuss priority issues related to the public sector.

The first to report was Chairwoman of the Mejlis D. Gulmanova, who informed about the activities of the national parliament to further improve the country’s legislation.

As was reported, the development of draft laws related to the protection of the rights and interests of citizens, strengthening law and order, and increasing the living standards of the population is consistently carried out based on the adopted government programs and best international experience in this area.

As part of efforts to expand inter-parliamentary cooperation, credentials were accepted from the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Benin, the Republic of Zimbabwe and the State of Kuwait to Turkmenistan. Issues of strengthening the bilateral partnership were discussed during the meeting with the ambassador plenipotentiary of the Republic of France.

Mejlis Deputies participated in the 10th meeting of parliamentarians and foreign affairs departments of Central Asian countries, held in Dubai (UAE). Furthermore, parliament representatives are holding negotiations on cooperation with foreign colleagues and international organizations, and attended a conference on the digital system organized within the framework of the UN Population Program, and a forum held at the Representative Office of the Children’s Fund in Turkmenistan.

Along with this, people’s representatives appear in the media to explain key aspects of the state policy, adopted legislative instruments, the importance of the permanent neutrality doctrine and international initiatives of the country, and to popularize the successes achieved in the Homeland in various fields.

Summing up the information presented, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the importance of effectively carrying on the activities of the Mejlis to improve national legislation in line with modern requirements, emphasizing that the laws adopted must reflect the objectives of the domestic and foreign policy of our state.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers H. Geldimyradov reported on the measures taken to implement the provisions outlined in the “State Program for the Development of the Digital Economy in Turkmenistan for 2021–2025”.

In this regard, in order to fulfill the instructions given by the head of state, work is carried out to further improve banking activities and expand the range of high-quality specialized services provided to the population through the application of innovative technologies. Special attention in this work is paid to the introduction of modern types of payment cards.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out the need to further upgrade the domestic banking card system. Stressing that this work must be carried out pursuant to advanced foreign practice, the head of state gave the deputy prime minister relevant instructions.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Amanov reported on the state of affairs in the fuel and energy complex, in particular the work ongoing in the State Concern “Türkmengaz”.

As was reported, steps are currently taken to strengthen the material and technical resources of the State Concern and introduce advanced technologies and a digital system into its infrastructure.

At the same time, appropriate efforts are made to update the regulatory framework of the fuel and energy complex, as well as to improve the Procedures for the supply and consumption of natural gas.

Summing up the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need to update these Procedures to meet the present-day requirements. In this context, the head of state gave the deputy prime minister a number of specific instructions related to carrying on the relevant work.

Then Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers T. Atahallyev reported on the progress of seasonal agricultural campaigns in the velayats.

The report included information that treatment of wheat sown fields is under way in accordance with agro-technical standards, in particular, application of mineral fertilizers and vegetation irrigation, in order to grow a plentiful harvest of this grain crop. At the same time, the arable lands are cultivated for the cotton crop of the coming year, and the necessary machinery and units are brought to readiness.

The report also covered proper measures being taken to improve the land reclamation condition and irrigate farmlands. Work is underway in the regions of the country to clean irrigation ditches and drainage systems.

Every effort is made to develop livestock farming, increase the number of animals, and create proper conditions for their warm and well-fed wintering.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov specified that the foundations for the next year’s crop are laid these very days, charging the deputy prime minister with keeping under strict control the completion of seasonal agricultural campaign within the established deadlines and in compliance with agro-technical standards.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Annamammedov reported on the state of affairs in the areas under his supervision, in particular the work in progress to increase the production and export of commodities manufactured by enterprises of the construction, industrial and chemical complexes.

As was reported, the relevant regulatory and legal framework is steadily improved in order to maintain the effectiveness of the steps in this area. Amendments and addenda are introduced to the current procedure for carrying out various operations for the export of goods produced in the country.

Summing up the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed to continue work to improve the procedure for shipping marketable products of the construction and industrial complex to foreign countries, specifying that these measures must be based on the best world practice.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers B. Atdayev reported on the current work related to the organization of exhibitions, fairs, conferences and festivals scheduled by the country’s ministries and departments for 2024.

Specialized forums are held in order to introduce the wider international community to the socio-economic reforms and transformations in various sectors ongoing in the Homeland, as well as to step up mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign countries, and attract high technologies, innovations and investments.

Addressing the deputy prime minister, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to organize exhibitions and conferences in accordance with the modern requirements, indicating that products manufactured in the country must be widely advertised during these events.

Deputy Chairwoman of the Cabinet of Ministers M. Mammedova reported on the steps being taken to organize cultural events pursuant to declaring the ancient Turkmen city of Anev as the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2024.

For these purposes, a relevant Plan was approved and an organizing committee was set up.

According to this document, it is planned to hold a number of celebrations and organize international events, including a scientific conference, a youth forum, festivals, consultations, exhibitions, a film festival, a ceremony to sum up the events related to declaring Anev as the cultural capital of the Turkic world, regular meetings of the Permanent Council of Culture Ministers of the TURKSOY member countries, etc.

The report included information on the presentation of a transfer symbol in the context of declaring the ancient Turkmen city of Anev as the cultural capital of the Turkic world for 2024.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov instructed to prepare thoroughly and at a high level for the upcoming events on the occasion of awarding the status of the cultural capital of the Turkic world for the next year to the city of Anev.

According to the head of state, these events must widely reflect the fact that our country is one of the first historical centers of human culture.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers N. Amannepesov reported on the certificates awarded to Turkmenistan by specialized UN bodies for achievements in the field of healthcare, having cordially congratulated the head of state on this exciting news of international significance.

Pursuant to the foreign policy strategy of Turkmenistan, large-scale activities are carried out in the period of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with countries around the world, international and regional organizations.

Thanks to the initiatives of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, our Hero Arkadag, to systematically improve the domestic healthcare system, high successes have been achieved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious and non-communicable diseases.

As a result of the work being successfully carried on under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to implement the objectives outlined in the State Program “Saglyk”, the number of specialized institutions that meet international standards is steadily increasing, the performance of laboratory institutions in diagnosing various diseases is improving, and comprehensive steps are undertaken to provide the population with affordable medicines and medical products.

Achievements in the healthcare system meet the international requirements of reputable organizations, including the World Health Organization. Another striking illustration of success in this area was a number of certificates, including the Certificate of the United Nations Development Program for the significant efforts made by the Government of Turkmenistan to speed up progress towards universal health coverage by providing access to quality medicines, continuity and quality of medical services for all, and the relevant Certificates from the WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory (Gauting, Germany).

The awarding of new certificates was another evidence of the increasing recognition of national medicine and the high assessment for the efficient work ongoing under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to develop the domestic healthcare system, protect public health and prevent diseases.

The deputy prime minister then reported on the issue of sending Turkmen youth to study at higher educational institutions of the People’s Republic of China and Hungary in the academic year 2024-2025.

As was pointed out, thanks to the wide opportunities provided, thousands of boys and girls get education at prestigious higher educational institutions in foreign countries.

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and higher educational institutions of friendly countries consider appropriate to train young specialists in the fields of information technology, healthcare and medical sciences, teaching and pedagogical sciences, agriculture and agricultural sciences, engineering sciences, technology and technical sciences, mathematics and natural sciences.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov informed that certificates from specialized UN bodies for achievements in the field of healthcare will be awarded at the upcoming Youth Forum on December 27. Stressing the importance of this event, the head of state instructed the deputy prime minister to ensure its holding at a high organizational level.

Focusing on the need to further deepen international cooperation, including in the field of education, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said that we must send talented young people to study at higher educational institutions in foreign countries.

Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported on the steps being taken to develop cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

As was emphasized, our country conducts constructive joint actions with the EU in the political, economic and humanitarian areas. A number of major events took place in 2023, including a meeting between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of the European Union Charles Michel, held in New York on September 18. Furthermore, the 6th meeting was held in Ashgabat on June 19 within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue between our country and the EU. The Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan attended the first Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on October 25–26. The Days of European Culture were organized in Turkmenistan from November 22 to December 3 this year.

Joint actions were conducted between domestic and European higher educational institutions in terms of teaching and student exchanges under the European Union Programme “Erasmus+”.

Cooperation in the Central Asia – European Union format was also characterized by an active nature. In the context of this partnership, various-level meetings and forums are held regularly. Along with this, programs and projects are implemented in different areas, including healthcare, education, private sector, trade, environment and climate change, as well as in other relevant fields.

The report specified that recently the EU’s interest in cooperation with our region has been growing significantly. As is known, the European Union adopted an updated Strategy for Central Asia in 2019. Following the outcomes of the regular meeting of the heads of foreign policy departments of the EU-Central Asia format, held in Luxembourg on October 23 of the current year, a joint Roadmap for deepening ties between the European Union and Central Asia was adopted, which specified the areas of further partnership.

In this regard, the deputy prime minister, the head of Foreign Ministry submitted for consideration by the President of Turkmenistan proposals on the expansion of fruitful cooperation in a number of priority areas.

In particular, the proposals included the visit of our country’s delegation to Brussels (Belgium) to participate in the 15th meeting of the Human Rights Dialogue “Turkmenistan - European Union” and the 22nd meeting of the “Turkmenistan – EU” Joint Committee, as part of which successful economic cooperation is maintained. These events are scheduled for December 18 and 19, respectively.

An Investment Forum on Transport in the Belgian capital is scheduled for January 29–30, 2024, in which Turkmenistan is invited to participate. In this regard, it is proposed to send a delegation of our country to Brussels.

Based on the Joint Communiqué adopted following the above-mentioned “European Union - Central Asia” ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg on October 23, a proposal was made on organizing a meeting of experts in the transport sector in the second quarter of next year.

Another proposal was about carrying out work to organize a meeting with specialized EU bodies in the first quarter of 2024 in order to discuss partnership opportunities and exchange experience in the field of energy.

Summing up the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov pointed out that Turkmenistan effectively cooperates with the European Union both bilaterally and multilaterally, developing fruitful relations in various fields. Stressing that the mutually beneficial partnership with the EU must be systematically expanded, the head of state instructed the deputy prime minister, the head of Foreign Ministry to continue relevant work that meets mutual interests.

Then Director General of the Transport and Communications Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers M. Chakyev reported on the measures being taken to upgrade the material and equipment resources of the transport complex.

As was reported, the “Türkmenawtoulaglary” Agency is systematically improving passenger transportation services on city, suburban and intercity bus routes.

During this year, in accordance with the relevant Decree of the President of Turkmenistan, the Agency purchased and delivered to the country hundreds of small and medium seat capacity passenger buses from Toyota, one of the leading Japanese manufacturers. In this regard, work is under way to meet the population’s growing demands for transport services, increase the number and open new bus routes.

Having heard the report, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized the need to constantly improve the supplies of the “Türkmenawtoulaglary” Agency with vehicles. Specifying that motor automotive vehicles must be purchased from the world’s leading manufacturers and meet the natural and climatic conditions of Turkmenistan, the head of state gave the Agency leader a number of instructions in this regard.

Summing up the meeting, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that as the New Year’s Holiday is coming, it is critical to maintain an abundance of various food products at affordable prices in the country’s markets and stores, instructing the relevant leaders to keep this work under strict control.

A number of other issues related to the public sector were also considered at the meeting, on which appropriate decisions were made.

Concluding the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers via a digital system, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov wished everyone sound health, family wellbeing and success in work for the prosperity of the sovereign Homeland.