ORIENT
The elected president of Turkmenistan took the oath and took office. At a solemn ceremony held in Ashgabat on Saturday, the new head of state delivered a speech.The inaugural speech of Serdar Berdimuhamedov confirmed that those vectors that were fundamental in the policy of the Turkmen state would continue and take a priority place on the agenda of the president. In particular, the head of state focuses on issues of internal socio-economic development at a new stage in the life of the country and in the context of international relations.“Our main goal,” Serdar Berdimuhamedov said, “is to ensure the stability and security of the Motherland, improve the living standards of the people, strengthen peace and mutual trust throughout the planet.Turkmenistan will continue to be committed to the course of neutrality, the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, equality, and constructive cooperation. The political positions of Turkmenistan in international relations remain unchanged, the President stressed.“We are open to all countries and peoples of the world and aim to develop trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and educational ties with them in the future,” said Serdar Berdimuhamedov.He defined as his main duty the provision of constitutional guarantees for the protection of the rights of citizens. At the same time, the President noted the role of the National Army in protecting the independence and neutrality, the stability of the state, the peaceful and prosperous life of the population, promising to strengthen the material and technical support of the Armed Forces.
In his speech, the President outlined the development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan and its integration into the international energy system among the key areas. Serdar Berdimuhamedov also put forward as his goal the minimization of the negative impact of climate change and industry on the environment and human health, and the reduction of emissions.
The environmental aspect, as follows from the speech of the head of state, will also be decisive in such large-scale construction projects as Ashgabat City and other reform programs in all regions of the country.The state will receive investment support for the electric power industry, both in terms of export diversification and in the development of renewable energy sources, including solar; agro-industry – for technical and technological modernization in order to expand the processing of agricultural products to saturate the domestic market and increase supplies abroad.Among the most important areas of work is the country’s transport and logistics sector, which is capable of joining regional and continental routes as the core of the Great Silk Road with the maximum use of geographical and other competitive advantages.
The government will focus on digitalization and support for entrepreneurship, especially technology enterprises, science and culture, education, healthcare and medical industry, sports, said President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.One of the main tasks of the head of state was the strengthening of social and legal protection of citizens, support for large families. Providing each family with modern housing will be among the main concerns of the president.