The progress of the country stipulates the Turkmen people’s high credit of trust in President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov

11 years ago, on February 14, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected the President of Turkmenistan. 

The years have vividly demonstrated the key priorities of the policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - peace, stability and development. Among its main principles are humanity, social fairness, high spirituality and the commitment to the specific result. 

This remarkable date has not been included into the calendar of the official holidays but it occupies a special place in the modern chronicles of the country, reminding about the Turkmen people’s landmark decision, their choice made in 2007, then in 2012 and 2017. 

Millions of people expressed their will, using their constitutional rights, and with all responsibility to the Future, gave their votes for the far-sighted leader of the new formation – President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, entrusting him with the post of the President of the country for the next seven years. The presidential term, increased in line with the new edition of the Constitution of Turkmenistan, provides the leader of the country with more time and opportunities to implement large-scale programmes and projects to ensure the prosperity of the country and wellbeing of the people. 

Not only the important social and political events, but the powerful consolidation, the sound unity of the people, the absolute trust and support to all Turkmen leader’s initiatives stand behind the dates. 

The agenda of the meetings, held these days in the framework of the preparations for the election of the Mejlis deputies of the sixth convocation, Halk Maslakhaty and Gengesh members focuses on this. The forthcoming elections will be another step towards the further improvement of the multilevel system of the real democracy, based on the national democratic traditions, enriching which with the world’s modern practices is prioritized by the policy, pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Thus, among the candidates nominated to the Parliament are the representatives of the Democratic Party, the Party of Industrialists and Manufacturers an, the Agrarian Party and the groups of citizens. 

In all districts, several candidates are nominated for one seat that vividly demonstrates the principles of alternative elections and the deepening of democratic processes in independent neutral Turkmenistan. The openness and objectivity of the electoral process will be facilitated by the participation of international and national observers. 

The current significant date and the election campaign that is taking place in the country give the reason to think again about the enormous amount of work done in the year since the presidential election, which is marked by many glorious and significant events. Moreover, it provides the opportunity to assess once again the scope of the new goals on the development of the state and strengthening its authority in the world, set by the Turkmen leader. 

Undoubtedly, the international status of Turkmenistan and its reputation depend on the efficiency of the democratic processes in the country. The construction of a democratic state requires political will and foresight, as well as outstanding organizational skills and energy demonstrated by the Turkmen leader, taking the social guidelines as the basis for reforms and promoting the development of civil institutions, multi-party system, and entrepreneurship in the country. 

The consolidating elements of the Turkmen society and the state are the spiritual values that embody the experience of the previous generations of the nation. The organic combination of traditions with innovations, careful continuity with constructive reforms determined the characteristic feature of the today's Turkmen political culture that is based on the high principles of democracy. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has made the national historical heritage one of the important resources for the modernization of the country and development of the society, having built the strategy and tactics of mastering new opportunities of growth based on the centuries-old experience of the people, their worldview. 

Since ancient times, the Turkmen people’s solidarity with generally-recognized leader, who symbolizes the national harmony and solid statehood, has determined the specifics of the development of democracy at the present stage of the history of our country. The people’s understanding of the idea of the stable statehood was the most important effective factor of Turkmenistan's economic and social progress. 

When the landmarks are clearly marked and the ideas are precisely formulated, the goals and plans are clear and understandable, close to everyone and meet the interests of both the state and the individual, then the work on their implementation acquires the national character, yields real and obvious results. 

The grandiose plans were being implemented, the bold ideas were taking shapes, large-scale political, economic and social processes were transforming the country before our eyes and the whole world community. The significant GDP growth, the industry diversification, the creation of import-substituting industries and the opening of new export opportunities prove the success of the Turkmen leader’s reforms. 

Important steps have been taken to create a multi-vector network of transnational transport communications - gas pipe-lines, roads and railways, sea and air lines, new oil and gas processing industries, free economic zones, etc. The mutually beneficial international cooperation, attraction of foreign investment, profound restructuring of the entire mechanism of the national economy management, the development of market relations and the private sector have developed with unprecedented paces. 

In the panorama of big deeds and events, it is almost impossible to mark out specific outstanding results. The main feature of all the reforms and reformatory programmes initiated by the President of Turkmenistan is their complexity, innovative character, expressed social orientations and the focus on ensuring the happy life for the people. 

The key points of the new programme of the President of Turkmenistan, who presented the comprehensive plan of further reforms for the next seven years have been brought up for wide public discussion. Among the main directions of Turkmenistan's socio-economic development for 2018-2024, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov outlined the use of all resources and opportunities for the stable growth of the national economy, the accelerated transition to market relations, in particular, the rapid development of the non-governmental sector of the economy. The reforms that envisage the implementation of large-scale, especially important investment projects of international and regional importance will be continued. 

The key vector of the state policy of independent Turkmenistan, aimed at improving the quality and standard of living of the population, remains the provision of social welfare, protection of rights and interests of citizens. Among the practical steps are the creation of conditions for building human potential based on the improvement of operational efficiency in the field of health care, education, culture and other activities related to the service sector. 

There is no doubt that all the goals set will be implemented, because, as practice showed, including last year, we are able to implement the most grandiose plans. The significant results, concrete achievements, great successes of Turkmenistan, which affected the life of each of us, determined the highest credit of citizens' trust to their President - Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.