These days, many world agencies, ahead of each other, with the mark “hot news” reported that “Oleg Kononenko set a world record for total time spent in space”, “The Hero of Turkmenistan and Russia set a record for spending time in space”, “A native of Turkmenistan set world record for total stay in space” and the like. Yes, quite many people from different countries have already flown into space, and the fact that a native of Turkmenistan is making his fifth flight and has set a world record of the total stay in space is of the greatest importance for sovereign Turkmenistan.

“We in Turkmenistan are proud that our compatriot, born and raised in the ancient Turkmen land, became an outstanding space explorer and reached hitherto unprecedented milestones in his noble profession. Being the first is always honourable and at the same time not easy, since leadership is, first of all, a great responsibility before society, the country, and in your case, before the entire world.” These words, addressed by the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the commander of the cosmonaut corps of the Roscosmos State Space Corporation, pilot-cosmonaut, Hero of Turkmenistan O.D. Kononenko, reflect the feelings of all Turkmen citizens and the great importance that we attach to this event.