"Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper

Founder: The Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan
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Forward - to New Victories!

The sports movement of our country in the Era of Might and Happiness has gained unprecedented development. And not only on the national, but also on a global scale. Turkmenistan is increasingly becoming the centre of major planetary and regional competitions, bringing together thousands of professional athletes from all continents under the banner of the sport – the main envoy of peace and friendship. Such active development, of course, has influenced the growth of the skills of the Turkmen athletes, who achieve impressive successes in most kinds of sports. And all this is directly connected with the name of our President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov – an active adherent to a healthy lifestyle, whose initiatives in a relatively short period of time have elevated Turkmenistan to the rank of one of the world’s leading sports powers. The leader of the nation himself sets an example for our youth, finding in his busy schedule time for hiking and horse riding in mountainous areas, cycling and car racing. Such actions inspire young people for doing sports, and all the necessary conditions have been created for this.

Prevention of Seasonal ARVI

• Be adherents of a healthy lifestyle: get enough sleep, eat right and fully, make the right daily routine and do physical activity and sports • Strictly and completely follow the rules of hygiene

Transport diplomacy: Cooperation for Sustainable Diplomacy

In the context of the integration of all aspects of the life of states and peoples, the transport and communication sector is recognised as an integral factor of sustainable development, directly influencing the growth of states’ economies and the quality of life of the population, stability and balance of world economic relations. In this regard, cooperation in the transport sector is a special topic on the international agenda. Being the heart of the Great Silk Road for many centuries, Turkmenistan pays great attention to this issue. This was reiterated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at a working meeting on the development of the transport and communication complex, held on February 6, 2021. As the head of state noted, that route was being revived in a new quality and the transport and communications sector played a special role in restoring that route. The government of the country was instructed to “continue activities for the further implementation of the transport diplomacy of the Turkmen state located at a convenient crossroads of Central Asia and Europe.” UN Resolution – Basis for Multilateral Dialogue

Moving Forward to New High Frontiers

On February 12, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired an extended meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, during which the work done in 2020 was summarised and the key priorities of the further national socioeconomic development were discussed. The leader of the nation emphasised, “Despite the difficulties and negative phenomena that have emerged globally, we were able to keep peace and security, to achieve socioeconomic growth and to improve the standards of living of the people. Thus, our country and we are confidently moving forward.” Turkmenistan – a Dynamically Developing State

Import substitution programme: Achievements and Prospects

In the context of modern foreign economic trends, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov sets a goal of raising competitiveness of the national economy and lessening its dependence on external factors. The import substitution programme was developed on the initiative of the leader of the nation. In accordance with this programme, the country is successfully fulfilling the tasks of expanding import substitution production and manufacturing the products able to compete with their imported analogues. Turkmenistan aims its active import substitution strategy at optimising foreign trade turnover, building up the capacity of non-primary commodity sectors, modernising technological facilities and bringing domestically made products in line with international standards. All this facilitates the successful integration of the national economy into the system of world economic relations and its sustainable growth. Currently, in conditions of the global epidemic, stability and independence of national economies from other countries and enhanced competitiveness of domestic enterprises are of great importance. The most effective and priority options for national economic development include the implementation of the import substitution strategy. The ongoing large-scale work in this sphere carried out in Turkmenistan in compliance with the far-sighted economic strategy of the President

Nation’s healthy lifestyle

Concern for improving the welfare of the people and strengthening the health of the Turkmen people has been elevated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the rank of the most important state tasks. The national leader says, “The duty of the state is to take care of the health of its citizens, for this is a guarantee of the intensive socioeconomic development of any country.” Thus, over the years of the implementation of the Saglyk State Programme and radical reforms in the healthcare sector, a great work has been done, due to which the average life expectancy of the population, who have received access to high-quality medical services at modern medical institutions equipped with the latest technology, has increased, morbidity level has decreased, and also large-scale measures have been taken to develop the domestic pharmaceutical industry and to increase the production of medicines. Special attention is paid to training specialists, improving their qualifications and developing medical science. The improved legislative framework has become a reliable basis for the successful implementation of reforms and large-scale transformations in the healthcare sector.

Rules for staying healthy

Often, the cold season and constant changes in the weather are accompanied by colds and acute respiratory diseases. The reason is that many people forget about basic precautions, dressing lightly, neglecting personal hygiene and not giving the body proper rest. The observance of basic rules will help prevent the disease and stop its development. However, first let’s figure out how the disease begins. The penetration of the causative agent of an infectious disease (viruses or bacteria) into the body of a healthy person is called infection. Sources of an infectious disease, a sick person or a healthy carrier, release microorganisms into the environment, which can enter the body of a healthy person through the air (when sneezing and coughing), things of common use, food and water.

A Precious Gift of Nature

The complex of ecosystems of the Karakum and Kyzylkum Deserts with the exotic landscape of the arid zone and the change of unrepeatable areas of overgrown and mobile dunes, expanses of brackish, rocky, gravelly and clay-loamy soils of arid landscapes leaves an unforgettable impression. For all its seemingly unfriendliness towards travellers, this land is full of original and charming beauty. Anyone who has been there at least once, spent a night under the dome of bright stars in the steppe without electric lighting accompanying the highways and villages, will fall in love with that land forever. Such a person will be attracted by the memories of loose ridges of dunes, pink sunrise, the scorching sun of noon and a long fading sunset, brisk lizards and cheerful birdies of a bright and laced saxaul forest, fragrant herbs, night chirping sounds and a pile of saxaul coals smouldering in the night for a tea tuncha and long stories at the dastarkhan in the expedition bivouac.

The Original Design of the Turkmen Felt Rug

The people, who have preserved the traditions of culture, everyday life and art, always have a fertile soil for the prosperity of professional decorative and applied arts. Over the centuries, in songs, fairy tales, epics, folk festivals, dances and household items, people have tried to express their understanding of life, nature and the world in an artistic form. The ancient skills of hand making of felt carpets are still preserved in many Turkmen villages. To this day, felt rugs remain an integral attribute of the everyday life of any Turkmen family. Since ancient times, the Turkmen have called their house a felt house. Felt covered the yurt, it protected the residents from the sun, wind and moisture, insulated and decorated floor, turned walls into a carpet art gallery. Felt rugs served as blankets for horses and cloaks for shepherds. In the hands of the Turkmen, wool turned into handmade pictures that deserve to be called masterpieces of decorative and applied arts.

It Stands Alone on One of the Kopetdag Rocks

A small white mosque located near the town of Serdar, Balkan velayat, is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Turkmenistan. Next to it, one can involuntarily feel some kind of extraordinary energy. Perhaps this is somehow connected with a legend about the origin of the shrine. According to it, Parav-bibi was a beautiful woman who lived in one of the settlements at the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains. One day, nomads attacked her native village. And, probably, the inhabitants of that village would be destined to the same fate that befell other villages after the conquest by foreigners. However, the leader of the invaders was so blinded by the beauty of the girl that he promised not to destroy the village if they gave Parav-bibi to him in return. Upon learning about that, the beauty fled to the mountains on the same day. She ran as long as she had strength, and pressed herself to the stones with her palms. But the enemies who rushed after her did not retreat. And when she was practically exhausted at a huge rock, in despair she asked the higher powers to hide her somewhere. The Almighty heard the prayers of the beauty and the rock parted in front of the girl, forever hiding her in its stone walls. At that place, people built a mosque.

Tamdyr: Traditions of Baking

The purpose of modern museums is to study, preserve and promote the historical heritage of the Turkmen people, who have centuries-old rich history and culture. The ethnography department of the State Museum of the State Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan has a rich collection of national clothes, jewellery and household items. Since farming was the main economic sector of the Turkmen people, many exhibits tell about the labour of grain growers and associated practices. After reaping a rich harvest, dayhans held special celebrations in honour of this event so that subsequent years would be good for the crops. These centuries-old traditions continue to this day.

Alabay – a Defender and Loyal Friend

The people of Turkmenistan are proud that on August 31, 2020, at the constituent assembly of the Türkmen Alabaý Itleri Association, an important event took place – granting to the Association international status. Through centuries the breed of the Turkmen dog has been improved both by natural and artificial selection. Therefore, for centuries it has retained its original exterior and a beautiful dense constitution, the shape of which has not changed for more than four thousand years. Being not choosy about his food, the alabay is endlessly loyal to its master and is always ready to help. At the genetic level, it absorbed skills of endurance, selfless protection of herds, round-the-clock service and timely warning of enemy approaching. At the same time, the habits of the alabay combine steadiness, kindness and charm. Our country carefully preserves and respects the richest property of centuries. Today, the work on the breeding of the unique Turkmen breed, a loyal friend and human assistant, is organised at a high level. It is in the fearlessness, the willingness to carry out the service and to give life for the sake of saving flock from predators that the deep attachment and gratitude of the Turkmen people to the faithful and friendly Alabay lie.

A Significant Landmark in the Life of the Country

February 12 is a significant date in the life of the Turkmen state and our people. It takes a special place in the modern history of our country – this is the fateful day of the election of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. On February 12, 2012, the people of Turkmenistan made a crucial decision and, using their constitutional right, expressed their will and unanimously elected the head of state. On February 12, 2017, we confirmed our adherence to this choice with all responsibility towards the future by giving again our votes for the leader of the nation and entrusting him with the presidency for the next 7 years.

Based on Constructive Development

The results of the meeting of the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with the delegation of the Political Office of the Taliban Movement, held in Ashgabat on February 6, caused great public, political and international resonance. They once again confirm the indisputable fact that the basis for the strengthening and further development of the modern architecture of international relations is nothing more than peace and trust. The history of relations between two neighbouring peoples, united by common traditions, customs, culture and spiritual and moral values, is known to take its origins from the depths of centuries. Being a neutral state, Turkmenistan has been actively pursuing a policy of peace and open doors for nearly thirty years, aimed at cooperation with neighbouring countries, both in the interests of the region and entire humanity. At the same time, our country is a supporter of ensuring peace, security and sustainable development in Afghanistan, initiating an exclusively peaceful resolution of intra-Afghan problems on the basis of political means and a broad national dialogue.

Along the way to “Green” economy

The adoption of the State Programme of Energy Saving for 2018–2024 and accession to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) testifies to our country’s commitment to the development of renewable energy and the growth in energy efficiency in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The next step along this path was the adoption of the National Strategy for Renewable Energy Development in Turkmenistan until 2030, which was approved by the Decree of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in December 2020. At the request of the editorial board of NT, the topicality, goals and objectives of the Strategy were commented on by experts in the sphere of studying the use of renewable energy sources. Aganiyaz JUMAYEV,Vice-Rector at the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, Candidate of Physics and Mathematics:

Peace and Trust – the Foundations for the Wellbeing of the Nation

It has become a good tradition in our neutral independent state to give an inspiring motto to each year. The motto of the year 2021 is “Turkmenistan – the Home of Peace and Trust”. Its ideological message is to promote widely the achievements of the Motherland, to spotlight their significance, to give impetus to large-scale economic transformations and social progress, to propagandise the contribution of our country to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring health, peace and stability and implementing the initiatives of the leader of the Turkmen state. The year 2021 abounds with inspiring events, such as further socioeconomic growth, drastic reforms in the agroindustrial sector and construction of facilities, the opening of which will mark the 30th anniversary of independence of the Motherland.

A Life-Giving Source

Since ancient times, the secrets of human self-knowledge have been embodied in the figurative perception of objects of the surrounding world. The very possibility of survival was of great importance for the people living in the desert, for which they needed water. They extracted moisture from the well, each drop of which was like a grain of gold, and the well was more than an object, it was a life-giving and spiritual source. For example, kumli, the people of the sands, tried to expand the horizons of their idea of the multifaceted and wise values of life. Yesterday, today and tomorrow – this creative link of people with the world they inhabit is and will be the essential element of the world outlook culture of human civilisation. The manmade well in the sea of loose sands not only symbolises life, but also serves as a spiritualised symbol of purity and harmony. The figurative language of the ancient people says, “The value of a well is not only water, because a river is not always needed to quench a thirst”. It is about the spiritual component. A deep source of cool water, as an invaluable metaphorical image, embodies the all-encompassing manifestation of life at the level of an individual, society and state.

A small Universe accomodating happiness

This folding house is one of the unique achievements of the Central Asian peoples. Its structure as a whole is the same, but the originality of each of them is manifested in the features of the external and internal design. Often decorated with felt and woven products, embroidery and artistic carvings, the yurt for the Turkmen was not just a dwelling, but something larger. The mobile assembled yurt ideally corresponded to the basic principle of nomadic life: it is a camp house – “All that is mine I carry with me.”

Healing Properties of Liquorice Root

Over many centuries, the Turkmen people have been using the plants to restore and improve their health. Their healing properties have become known through the centuries-old expertise and observations of our ancestors. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov described in detail the natural resources of our country in 12 volumes of the encyclopaedia Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan. One of them is liquorice, buyan in Turkmen. The Turkmen leader pays great attention to using medicinal plants, in particular the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of medicines from liquorice root, in modern medicine. The national leader calls upon health professionals to take a science-based approach to using medicinal plants, including those that grow in the territory of the country and deserve in-depth research. Particularly now, when scientists in all countries are using effective means of combating the new dangerous infection and conducting numerous studies. The leader of the nation believes liquorice root to be one of them.

A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body!

Is cleanliness a guarantee of health? Most of us will answer yes and will be right. Hygiene skills are a very important part of a culture of behaviour. The need for to be neat and to keep face, body, hair, clothes and shoes clean is dictated not only by the requirements of hygiene, but also by the norms of human relations. The cultivation of personal and public hygiene skills in people plays an important role in protection of their health, promotes good behaviour in everyday life and in public places. Ultimately, not only their personal health, but also the health of the whole society depends on the knowledge and fulfilment of the necessary hygienic rules and norms of behaviour by people. It is necessary for each of us to strive for making the rules of personal hygiene natural and moral habits of hygiene and constantly improving them.