The Mejlis of Turkmenistan adopts the Law on Transport Safety and the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting

Regular 26th session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the fifth convocation where number of new laws and bills were adopted took place. Members of the Government, heads of relative ministries and departments, hyakims of Ashgabat and Ahal Velayat, representatives of mass media were invited to participate in the session.

According to the agenda, Draft Law of Turkmenistan on Transport Safety was brought up to the review of the parliamentarians. The participants noted that 2018 would be under the slogan “Turkmenistan – the Heart of Silk Road”, which very symbolical as numerous caravan paths connecting the peoples of East and West with trade relations and cultural contacts run across the territory of our country in the past.

The development of transport sphere is important direction of the state policy steadily implemented by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Targeted programmes for integrated modernization of equipment and facilities base of the branch and establishment of modern infrastructure of transport communications were developed and successfully realized in our country.

Big international and regional implemented by Turkmenistan together with neighbouring countries are to support the activation of trade and economic cooperation and tourism and consolidation of cultural and humanitarian relations. Thus, Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan – Iran and Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Tajikistan, airports in Ashgabat and in the velayats, highways, bridges across Amudarya River, Turkmenbashy International Seaport and other facilities that were built and under construction in the country are to the key links of transnational transport corridors.

Initiatives proposed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov aimed at the optimization of beneficial partnership in transport and communication sector receive general approval and recognition of the world community. Their importance is obvious as this sphere is one of the key segments of the world economy that directly influences its stability and balance and plays significant role in the achievement of the Goals of sustainable development set out by the United Nations.

The Resolution on Strengthening the links between all modes of transport to achieve the Goals of Sustainable Development, which was unanimously adopted at the 72 session of the UN general Assembly is the visual confirmation to this. As is known, two similar documents on international transport issues were adopted previously by the initiative of Turkmen leader.

In this context, new Law of Turkmenistan, which defines legal, organizational and economic basis of the provision of transport security, in other words the protection of transport infrastructure facilities and transportation means from illegal interference, as well as regulates public relations appearing in this sphere.

Interested exchange of the opinions was held during the discussion of the Law of Turkmenistan on Television and Radio Broadcasting. Particularly, it was highlighted that taking into account important role of mass media in the modern world, the subjects of the improvement of national press including local television and radio are always in the focus of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. New Centre of Television and Radio Broadcasting, the magnificent complex where all conditions for fruitful work of creative groups of TV and radio channels were made is the bright example of it.

The launch of the first national communication satellite TürkmenÄlem 52°E gave new impulse to the development of telecommunication technologies in our country, having allowed expanding the spectrum of modern services in broadcasting industry and in communication and internet. In particular, now satellite channel BSS retranslate the programmes of Turkmenistan TV and Radio channels. The contracts on use of TV signal channel with companies from different countries were signed.

It was also mentioned that the activity of mass media has to correspond with the time demands and objectives of social and political and democratic development of the state. In their programmes, personnel of national TV and Radio have to propagate the achievements of the country, raise topical issues and suggest their solutions. Special attention is to be paid to the popularization of the richest historical and cultural heritage of Turkmen nation in the world and social and economic achievements of Turkmenistan.

In this context, the improvement of legal and regulatory base of mass media is very important aspect. Elaboration and adoption of the Law that outlines legal, organizational, economic and social basis of work of television and radio in Turkmenistan and regulates the relations in TV and radio broadcasting sphere in our country is significant step in this direction.

After, the parliamentarian discussed the Law on Amendments of Some Bills of Turkmenistan.

According to the direction of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the improvement of administration and territorial division of the country and bringing of it to the time demands, on expansion of the velayats and the cities and bringing back their historical names, the parliamentarians reviewed and adopted the Resolution of the Mejlis on Administrative and Territorial Division of Ahal Velayat and on Administrative and Territorial Division of Ashgabat. According to the adopted documents and taking into consideration the wishes of the residents of Ahal Velayat and Ashgabat, following the initiatives of the Head of the State on restoration of the names of the settlements, some cities and etraps got back their historical names and Babadayhan etrap was founded in Ahal Velayat. In addition, the issues of administrative and territorial division of Ahal Velayat and Ashgabat were reviewed.

Draft bills that were brought up for review at the regular session of the Mejlis were unanimously approved and adopted. In the end, the deputies of National Parliament expressed the confidence that these important legal documents would support further solution of grandiose objectives set by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on rapid advancement of the country toward social, economic and democratic reforms.