A manmade symbol of the new historical epoch Avaza – a world-class resort that sprang up on the Turkmen seashore of the Caspian Sea and a new, beautiful, modern city which will be laid there illustrate the prosperity of the Turkmen land, increase in the economic strength of the country and enhancement of its international prestige and improvement in the people’s welfare.

The reforms and large-scale social and economic programmes of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov are aimed at achieving these aims and will enable our country to make a breakthrough towards the heights of progress and wellbeing. Today, the impressive achievements of Turkmenistan, which retains the top positions in global economic rankings, are obvious to all.

The results gained in the first quarter of 2010 and reviewed at the recent government meeting showed that the leading sectors of the national economy were rapidly developed, the GDP rate, industrial and agricultural output and foreign trade steadily increased, the investments aimed at modernizing industrial infrastructure and social sector, developing the spheres of education, science, health care and culture. Another essential fact: 75 percent of the budget funds were allocated to implement the social policy of the Turkmen state.

The country faces construction boom – nearly every week brings the reports on the facilities put into operation and construction projects launched. The facilities to be opened in Avaza include the international airport, power plant and desalination unit. Thousands of people of the littoral region, numerous visitors from all over Turkmenistan and foreign countries and millions of our compatriots who will ‘stick’ to the TV screens will witness these remarkable events.

The priorities of the social policy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov are embodied in full in the National Programme on the improvement of the social and living conditions in villages, settlements, towns in etraps and etrap centres for the period till 2010, which has infrastructure in Esenguly, Dovletli, Ruhubelent, Altyn Sahra. The large-scale energy and transport projects such as the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline, a new line supplying Turkmen ‘blue fuel’ to neighbouring Iran, the North-South railway, the development of gas reserves of the Southern Yoloten field and others are successfully implemented.

The agro-industry sector is brought to a higher level. The issues related to further reforms in this sector will b the focus of the meeting of the Elders’ Council, which will be convoked this May in Dashoguz. This important social and political forum is in active preparation. The scale of the activities carried out in the framework of the comprehensive programmes on the development of the capital and regions is unprecedented; substantial investments are used to construct new schools and kindergartens, health, cultural and shopping centres and sports facilities. In short, all that will improve the quality of life of people and bring it to a higher level. This is the key priority of the state policy, the principle of which was defined by the national leader: “a state for the people”.

During the government meeting President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov specified the new key goals for the Turkmen state. In particular, these include further enhancement of the potential and production capacity of oil and gas refining, textile, agricultural and other sectors and improvement of the quality of construction and road building works. Particular attention was paid to the beautification of towns and villages and the development of modern engineering infrastructure in urban and rural areas. To achieve these goals the Turkmen leader put forward the proposal to establish the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

A critical aspect of the ongoing reforms is the improvement of housing conditions of citizens. This is illustrated by large-scale construction of comfortable apartment houses. Thousands of people of Turkmenistan have evaluated the advantages of elite high-rise houses with comfortable apartments and cottages which can be bought on favourable mortgage terms. The housing privatization programme will be developed and the housing exchange will be established on the President’s instructions. Furthermore, these measures will facilitate the transition to a market economy.

We, our generation make a future. What it will be depends on us, our diligence and responsible approach to designated tasks. Those who study at schools and universities today will lead the country towards new heights tomorrow. They will pick up the baton of national revival and make the magnificent building of the Turkmen state stronger. We must bring them up patriots, well-educated, spiritually and physically healthy people – this idea runs through the national leader’s statements.

Underscoring the need to promote the health of the nation, the President focused on the global challenges such as drug abuse. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that all available means and opportunities should be used to combat this evil and to unite public organisations, mass media and people of the country against it. The counterbalance to drug abuse should be the development of sport and physical culture, promotion and adherence to a healthy lifestyle in the society.

The first Sports Games finished in Turkmenistan last week. The final of the nationwide competitions were timed to the World Health Day celebrated worldwide on April 7. As is known, the initiative to hold these large-scale sport competitions among athletes and supporters of a healthy lifestyle was put forward by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Turkmen leader’s call to hold the competitions in various sports among teams of secondary, primary, vocational and higher schools, ministries and departments, velayats and Ashgabat under the motto “Turkmenistan – the Country of High Spirit and Health” fostered the development of sport and was supported by thousands of healthy lifestyle fans in labour collective and sports organisations.

In these days the symbols of the state policy in this field were the path of health laid on the slopes of the Kopetdag Mountains and in the outskirts of nearly all towns and administrative centres of the etraps. To mark the World Health Day thousands of our compatriots walked along these routes which became a favourite place of recreation for the people of Turkmenistan.

Being an ardent supporter and advocate of a healthy lifestyle, the President of Turkmenistan demonstrates by personal example its advantages to compatriots. Despite the very busy schedule, the national leader pays paramount attention to taking regular exercise that helps the leader of the Turkmen state to stay in excellent physical shape, which he demonstrated on many occasions including the flight in a supersonic fighter, training quick march in a supermodern tank, masterly use of small arms and horseback riding skills.

These examples are particularly illustrative and important for those who chose the noble profession of a defender of the Fatherland. Last week President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov flew round the territory adjacent to the border to see the current condition of the facilities and the location of the frontier posts, reviewed the projects of military settlements and visited an exposition of new military equipment, which had been recently purchased for the State Border Service, and new intrusion alarm systems which would be used to protect the border.

The Turkmen leader inspected the conditions created for physical training and practicing various sports at the Military Academy of Turkmenistan – the centre of training highly professional military officer corps. The President, who was faithful to his principles, demonstrated the marksmanship on the shooting simulator and participated in the improvised sports competitions.

The aspiration of the modern Turkmen society for the highest values of science, culture, art is another characteristic of the life of the country which has entered the epoch of national Revival. This is illustrated particularly by the conferences, exhibitions and forums dedicated to the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Turkmen people which is of utmost interest for specialist and experts. The well-known scientists, historians, linguists and literary critics, translators, culture experts, university teachers from over twenty countries took part of the International Scientific Conference “Mollanepes and the Life of the Turkmen people in XIX Century” in Mary. As is known, Turkmenistan celebrates the 200th birth anniversary of the outstanding classical Turkmen poet this year.

Thus, every day, every week brings new, vivid and convincing evidence of the steady advance of our Motherland towards building a new life, successfully implementing the epoch-making reform programmes of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. We call them epoch-making because each of them is a key to a happy life of modern Turkmenistan that is coming to meet the 20th anniversary of independence.