The elections to the organs of local government – Gengesh which took place in Turkmenistan on July 26 are a landmark on the path of the ongoing progressive reforms. The Central Commission for Elections and Referenda announced the results of the elections last week. This year’s social and political action that was of keen interest to the Turkmen society demonstrated unity and solidarity of the Turkmen people, their readiness and determination to strengthen the democratic and legal foundations of independent neutral Turkmenistan.

Summing up the elections at the recent sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Gengeshs – the representative bodies of the people should take the initiative to accelerate the reforms at local level and make the ongoing changes more constructive and effective and become the guides of the national development programmes including the national programme on improvement of the social and living conditions in rural areas aimed at significantly bettering the life of people and providing an access to the benefits of civilization.

The President inspected the progress in implementing this programme and the investment projects during the working trip to Ahal Velayat. Farmers in this region like other parts of the country work on cotton plantations, carry out necessary land treatment activities that will help to grow rich yield of the valuable technical crop. Turkmen agricultural workers have much work to do – the agricultural conveyor stops not for a minute. Every day agricultural products grown in the land of Ahal are supplied to the consumer market of the country and the processing enterprises.

As is known, the national food programme is based on effective development of the agricultural sector, agro-processing and food industries and covers the chain ‘from a field to a shop’. The fulfillment of the designated plans can be accelerated through forming the large agro-industrial zones in each region. The illustrative examples include Ruhabat Etrap situated in the suburbs of the Turkmen capital where the agro-industrial giant Ruhubelent producing a variety of juices, tomato paste, ketchup. The plant processing cotton seeds and producing cotton oil and margarine started to work. Development to the private sector can be illustrated by Baharly Etrap with the poultry farm Gus Toplumy that manufacturers the products of great demand on the domestic market. Thanks to the profound state support Gus Toplumy has turned into the large-scale enterprise with the estimated capacity of 3,000 tons of chicken meat for two years.

The country continues being built. Almost every day brings the news about laying the foundation stone or putting a facility into operation. In the near future the list of the newly constructed facilities will be replenished with the buildings in the famous spa resort – Archman and its branch – Yylysuv hydropathic establishment that will become the world-class health-improving centres. Ashgabat will become more beautiful – last week the President reviewed the projects on further development of the Turkmen capital.

Having set the goal to turn Ashgabat into one of the most comfortable and pleasant cities in the world the Turkmen leader set the task to take new approaches to forming the architectural look of the main city of the country that should harmoniously combine the latest achievements of town planning practice, national architectural traditions and convenience for citizens. In particular, the projects of the bus stops, street illumination and advertising panels had been drafted at the request of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Bus stops would meet modern requirements. The air conditioning and heating systems would create favourable conditions for passengers all year round. There would be an illuminated display showing the time, weather forecast and latest world news at each bus stop.

Turkmenistan’s aspiration for the highest values of science, culture, art – the attributes of the modern life of the country. The lofty human, truly humanistic ideals were embodied in the policy pursued by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to accumulate and realize the spiritual and intellectual potential of the nation. The priorities of this policy include preservation and popularization of the rich spiritual heritage of the Turkmen people, development of national culture and art, museum activity. These tasks were set by the President to Turkmen workers of culture and art, who are to guide the new ideology of the revived, highly spiritual Turkmen society.

The magnificent Ruhiyet Palaces and museums constructed and under construction in all the regions of the country stand as the bright symbols of the golden age of the national culture. Turkmen opera, circus, cinematography have been revived. Last week the President signed the resolutions on construction of the museum of local history, culture and geography in Dashoguz and establishment of the State Circus of Turkmenistan that would present the bright performances to the people and guests of the Turkmen capital.

An integral component of the national programmes on cultural, social and economic progress of the country is international cooperation that was reflected the events of the last week. The United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment and the EU-3 delegation visited Turkmenistan last week. The second meeting of the Turkmen-Austrian commission took place in Vienna.

A wide range of the issues of enhancement of business ties and expansion of humanitarian contacts were discussed during these meetings. In particular, the focus of the talks was cooperation in the strategic – energy sector that was conditioned by Turkmenistan’s profound hydrocarbon potential and increasing interest of the European community in Turkmen gas exports.

In conclusion it should be noted that a few weeks are left to the major international event of the year – the opening of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly which would take place in New York this autumn. During the session Turkmenistan will present its stand on a wide range of the issues of regional cooperation and international politics. The election of Turkmenistan Vice Chairman of two sessions of the UN General Assembly vividly evidences intentional recognition of Turkmenistan’s profound contribution to building a new architecture of global security, concerting global efforts to address challenges and problems of the modern world.