On February 15, 2022, it was held a briefing titled “The Age of People’s Friendship” by the Turkish Embassy of Turkmenistan at Ankara Mövenpick Hotel, also with the participation of Prof. Mehmet Seyfettin EROL, president of ANKASAM. In this meeting, which was held to inform the press, His Excellency Ambassador Ishankuli Amanlyev explained the significant works and achievements in the political, economic, and cultural fields in Turkmenistan in 2021. In his speech at the aforementioned briefing, His Excellency Ishankuli Amanlyev outlined the following:
As you know, the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence was celebrated on September 27, 2021, with great enthusiasm. In addition, last year in Turkmenistan, under the slogan “Turkmenistan is the Land of Peace and Trust”, national and international events were held at various levels in this context. The year 2021 has been declared as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” by the UN General Assembly in the architecture of Turkmenistan.
In 2021, the high growth rates of the national economy continued in Turkmenistan. A growth rate was achieved in production volume in almost all economic fields. The gross domestic product growth rate was 6.2%. As for important economic indicators, natural gas production was 83 billion 772.9 million cubic meters, wheat production was 1 million 485 thousand tons, cotton production was 1,280 million tons. Investment rates stood at 24.6 billion manats (including all financing sources). Moreover, in Turkmenistan, compared to 2007, the average salary rate increased by %366,3 in 2021, while the financial funds allocated for the payment of pensions and state aids increased by 1054% in the period 2008-2021.
During this period, various facilities were opened in the capital city of Ashgabat and the cities and they became operational. Among them, there are railway lines, communication lines, electricity and gas energy facilities, textile factories, hospital buildings, highways, hotels, shopping malls, and dozens of other facilities. In this context, the newly activated facilities are as follows:
- A modern shopping mall and two 7-star hotels in Ashgabat
- Two large textile complexes and a highway in Ahal province
- An Infectious Diseases Hospital in Türkmenbaşy city in the Balkan Region, a Multidisciplinary Hospital in Magtymguly district, and a large reservoir in Bereket district,
- A carpet factory, “Ak Ev” building in Dashoguz province,
- Kerki International Airport and major electric and gas compressor stations in Lebap province
- Plastic pipe production facility in Mary province
- 30 kilometers railway line between Akina-Andhoy stations last year
- 153-kilometer energy line on Kerki-Shibirgan route
- Ymamnazar-Akina and Serhetabat-Turgundi international fiber optic communication systems
In addition, as of 2021, there is a continuity of many projects, especially the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India international natural gas pipeline project and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power line project. According to the accepted programs, the industrialization and digitalization process of the country’s economy continues.
2021 was also successful in terms of international relations. Great importance is attached to strengthening friendly and brotherly relations with all states of the world, based on trust and mutual understanding, open and constructive interaction in various directions. As before, Turkmenistan’s foreign policy strategy has been carried out in strict accordance with the basic principles of our state, namely neutrality, peaceableness, good neighborliness, and mutually beneficial cooperation. In this context, bilateral relations with world states and multilateral cooperation with international organizations are being developed.
In the last year, While the President of Turkmenistan made substantial visits abroad, many heads of state and government and executives of international organizations visited Turkmenistan. Special attention is paid to contacts at the state and government level in strengthening a constructive dialogue with foreign partners. In this context, the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkey paid a visit to Turkmenistan in 2021. In addition, within the scope of international organizations, Mr. Volkan Bozkır, Chairman of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, ECO Secretary General Mr. Husrav Noziri, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Mr. Bagdat Amreyev and Secretary General of the International Organization of Turkic Culture Mr. Dusen Kaseinov visited Turkmenistan. Also, President of Turkmenistan Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Turkey, and the Russian Federation and participated in many international events physically and online. He gave interviews to important media institutions including TRT World, MIR Interstate Television and Radio Company, and Russia’s TASS News Agency. Among the events in which Excellency Berdimuhamedov participated online are the second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference, The 14th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization, 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Industry Forum, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Science and Technology Summit, the International Forum for Northern Economic Cooperation. Additionally, the President of Turkmenistan physically participated in the 8th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, the 15th Summit of The Economic Cooperation Organization, and the Commonwealth of Independent States Summit.
Within the scope of relations with international organizations, multi-faceted cooperation is actively developed with the UN, EU, OSCE, SCO, CIS, Non-Aligned Movement, OIC, and other reputable international organizations.
Turkmenistan’s prestige is increasing in the international community as a country that pursues a peaceful and constructive foreign policy. The important initiatives of Turkmenistan in reputable international organizations find wide support and understanding. Turkmenistan has organized many high-level international events. These; The 11th Meeting of the International Ahalteke Equestrian Association, The Consultative Meeting of the Heads of States of Central Asia, the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the international conference held on 12 December on the occasion of the International Day of Neutrality. In addition, Turkmen National Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai was opened in October 2021 with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan, which celebrates the 140th anniversary of the Capital Ashgabat.
The neutrality of Turkmenistan has made a great contribution to the strengthening of peace and stability in the region, establishing an environment of good neighborliness and cooperation, and this process continues. All this objectively contributed to strengthening the position of our country in the world.
On December 11, 2021, an international conference titled “Peace and Trust Policy – Basis of International Security, Stability and Development” was held in Ashgabat on the International Day of Neutrality. During his speech at the conference, Turkmenistan President Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has highlighted the significance of political-diplomatic methods by mentioning the political-strategic contradictions in the various parts of the world; also, he has presented a new philosophical idea in the international relations system. This view is explained as ‘Dialogue is the guarantee of peace.’ Spreading of this idea is significant for peace, security, sustainable development at an international level. In general, with the slogan of “Turkmenistan – the Motherland of Peace and Trust,” great efforts have been made to use the country’s enormous natural wealth, realize its strong economic potential, and ensure the spiritual and cultural development of the people in 2021.
As it is known, every year takes place under a certain slogan in Turkmenistan. The slogan of the year 2022 has been determined as “The Era of The People with Arkadag”. These words carry a lot of weight. This slogan will be a source of inspiration for the development of the patriotic spirit, the implementation of projects and programs for the welfare of the country, the strengthening of the economic potential, and the improvement of the living conditions of the people.
Concerning the international events to be held in Turkmenistan in 2022, the 6th Summit of the heads of the Caspian states, the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of Central Asian Countries and the Russian Federation, the Presidential Elections of March 12, 2022, and other activities could be demonstrated.”
