NEWS
CHAIRMAN OF THE HALK MASLAKHATY MILLI GENGESH OF TURKMENISTAN HELD A WORKING MEETING AT THE NTZ “AVAZA”
Today, on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, as part of a working trip to the Balkan velayat, held a working meeting with the participation of Milli Gengesh, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, members of the State Security Council, as well as heads of ministries and departments. Issues related to the further development of the Avaza National Tourist Zone, the effective implementation of the transport and transit potential of the region, the use of the unique natural factors of the Caspian Sea to increase tourism activity, as well as ensuring the environmental well-being of this unique corner of the Turkmen land were discussed.
The creation of a multimodal transport infrastructure, which is the basic mechanism for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan, is among the priorities of the state policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Today, the major projects initiated by the Hero-Arkadag in this area are being successfully implemented under the leadership of the head of state. In this context, the creation of international transport and transit corridors is the subject of special attention.
Speaking about this, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted the importance of high-tech transport systems in strengthening fruitful cooperation in the vast geo-economic space, including the regions of Central and South Asia, the Caspian, Black Sea basins and the Mediterranean. In addition, the geographical advantage of Turkmenistan, located at the crossroads of continental main routes of communication, makes it possible to productively realize the existing potential in order to enhance international relations and develop sea tourism in the Caspian Sea.
Further, the floor was given to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov, who participated in the meeting, who emphasized the dynamic nature of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the states and regions of the world. In this context, special attention is paid to building up fruitful cooperation with the Caspian countries. At the same time, it was noted that the initiatives of the Hero-Arkadag to turn the Caspian into a zone of peace, good neighborliness, mutual understanding and trust received wide international support.
To strengthen cooperation with foreign partners, it is also important to expand contacts with leading specialized organizations. In this regard, a proposal was made to invite representatives and specialists of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to Turkmenistan in the second quarter of 2023 and, as part of their visit, organize a Forum for the Development of International Tourism at the Avaza NTZ.
Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov also stressed the importance of holding in 2023 relevant consultations with international organizations and foreign partners on the exchange of experience in order to increase and systematically build capacity in the field of ecological, natural and medical tourism.
Tourism also contributes to the strengthening of interstate ties in the space of Central Asia and the Caspian region. In this context, it was noted that on the basis of the Amman Declaration on Strengthening Peace through the Development of Tourism, adopted in November 2000, it is proposed to explore the possibilities of organizing, together with UNESCO, the Regional Forum “Strengthening a culture of peace through tourism” in the second half of 2023 at the NTZ “Avaza”.
Along with this, in order to increase the economic and financial potential of Avaza, improve migration and customs procedures, an initiative was put forward to study the development and launch of a special visa regime in accordance with international standards in the resort center of the country.
Emphasizing the need for a detailed study of world practice in the development of tourism and its application at the national level, Hero-Arkadag emphasized the importance of training qualified specialized personnel for the optimal solution of appropriate tasks.
Then the floor was given to the General Director of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers M. Chakiyev. Noting that specific tasks have been identified to increase the competitiveness of the country's transit corridors of international importance, the effective management of the transport complex, the creation of a sustainable transport system, the head of the Agency also emphasized that close attention is paid to strengthening the material and technical base of the industry, introducing new organizational approaches level.
On the initiative of the Hero-Arkadag, modern International Seaport and International Airport in Turkmenbashi, a transcontinental railway Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran connecting the international transit corridors North-South and East-West were built and put into operation. Thus, a multimodal transport network has been formed, including sea, land and air routes.
Also, Turkmenistan, through whose territory 708 kilometers of the Trans-Asian-European fiber-optic network runs, is recognized as an important link in the development of backbone communication systems in the Caspian. This, in turn, will create a “Digital Silk Road” between Europe and Asia. Along with this, the importance of laying a new road bridge across the Garabogaz Bay was emphasized, which will provide cargo carriers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, India and the Middle East with the shortest route to the countries of Eastern Europe, which will make it possible to activate multimodal communications - road, sea and rail.
The Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan noted that the bilateral and multilateral documents signed in the field of transport between the Caspian states and our country create an appropriate legal framework for turning the Caspian into a major international transport center with a developed infrastructure. This will contribute to a further increase in cargo transportation, improvement of the quality of transport services and, in general, intensification of cooperation in this area.
Hero-Arkadag also noted that the Avaza National Tourist Zone has become a major international business center, where conferences and meetings are regularly organized on topical issues of regional and global partnership. Emphasizing the importance of the International Conference of Ministers of Transport of Landlocked Developing Countries held here and the IX meeting of Ministers of Transport and Communications of the member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh stressed the need to continue effective activities in this direction.
Then, addressing the leaders of the fuel and energy complex, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh emphasized that the Balkan velayat has a huge resource potential in this area. The study of oil and gas deposits in the region on a scientific basis, the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons are now identified as important tasks.
As Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh noted, trade in domestic textile products, as well as carpets and rugs created by the unsurpassed talent of Turkmen craftswomen, should be organized in the shopping centers of the region.
Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also stressed the importance of organizing international cultural events at various levels in Avaza, including the promotion of national culture, which is a significant factor in creating a favorable atmosphere for vacationers. In this aspect, the holding of festivals, creative meetings and book exhibitions on the Caspian coast will contribute to the expansion of cooperation with foreign partners in this area.
At the same time, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh, noted the need for the active involvement of advanced experience and digital technologies in the work of all profile structures and services of NTZ Avaza.
Stating that at present the issues of strengthening the principles of a healthy lifestyle in society are of universal importance, Hero-Arkadag drew attention to the organization of sports complexes at the modern level, which is very important for improving the health of people, especially young people. In this regard, it is necessary to responsibly approach the development of sports typical for the sea coast, the observance of the relevant sanitary and hygienic standards.
In continuation of the topic, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh noted that both in the holiday season and at other times of the year, coordinated traffic should be kept under strict control, strict observance by vacationers on the Caspian coast of the relevant rules and procedures for entering and exiting the NTZ “Avaza”, to ensure the proper functioning of the proper structures.
As Hero-Arkadag emphasized, business circles from around the world, including Japan, are showing great interest in participating in the implementation of projects to expand and develop the Avaza National Tourist Zone, which indicates the growing attractiveness of Turkmenistan for foreign business partners.
Concluding the working meeting, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the participants success in their work for the sake of the country's further prosperity.
Then Hero-Arkadag, upon completion of his working trip to the Balkan velayat, proceeded to the International Airport of the city of Turkmenbashi, from where he left for the capital.