Berdymuhamedov Charts Course for Progressive

  In a lengthy speech Friday, President Berdymuhamedov sketched the path he would take to create a modern and progressive Turkmenistan.

  Berdymuhamedov explained to the hall packed with the entire who-is-who of Turkmenistan that his country will not join any military blocks or alliances. He advocated simultaneous efforts for top-down and bottom-up development plans.

  His address, interspersed by reports from key officials, covered the entire spectrum of domestic and foreign policy of Turkmenistan with great emphasis on development of friendly relations with all countries, especially neigbours, reforms in the education sector, and expansion of infrastructure facilities to help attain maximum benefit from the natural resources of Turkmenistan.

  Here ate the salient features of policy and administrative announcements made by Berdymuhamedov:The reforms process in Turkmenistan is mainly aimed at mobilizing all resources to bring the national economy in line with global standards.
  Reforms are already in full swing in agriculture, education and healthcare. Other branches would catch up soon. This process would lead to political reforms and strengthening of democratic institutions.
Intensive interaction with foreign countries in the shape of exchange of visits at the highest level, negotiations on gas pipelines in different directions, creation of North-South trade and transportation corridor, are all meant to promote friendly relations and national interests, with ultimate benefit going to the people.
   Turkmenistan considers it very important to further strengthen relations with the neighbouring countries.
Turkmenistan will not join any military blocks and will steer its neutrality to solidify the climate of trust and mutual understanding in the region. Strategic international questions related to security and sustainable would be looked at through the prism of UN charter.
  Turkmenistan will develop its huge energy resources and pursue multiple export routes. This goal will partly be accomplished by developing rail and road links with the neighbouring countries.
Educational reforms are at the core of all other reforms. There is no time to waver; education at all levels must be in line with world standards.
   Social reforms are meaningless if they don’t transform the life in the villages and districts.
Farmer should become the real owner of the land and he should be freed from the bureaucratic restrictions.
Administrative reforms in the agriculture sector must come in place before the end of this year. A research institute for strategic planning would be created to support the agiculture sector. The management system of the entire crop cycle should be modernized. Ministry of economy and finance will work with ministry of agriculture to implement these instructions.
  Supreme Regulatory Chamber will oversee all the public spending in Turkmenistan.
There is dearth of talented writers. With rare exception, the publications are drab and uninteresting. The state will spare no efforts to encourage and support creative talent.
All the ministries and departments and provincial administrations must report correct and factual statistics. Fake figures distort the picture and will not be tolerated. This instruction especially applies to the agriculture sector.