To Be or Not to Be...? Someone’s grief, and someone’s drinking party

Traditions of the Kyrgyz people were being formed with the help of economic, trade, domestic and other relations with kindred and other tribes that were closely related to the geography of their ha...

Iran of the 60s: unsuccessful attempt to reform

After the coup of 19 March 1953 in the socio-political history of Iran there were fundamental changes: the powers of parliament were limited and the absolute power of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was...

Topic: Regional rivalry in the Middle East.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran are two countries that claim to leadership in the region. With a powerful resources and political potential these countries are the...

Culture & Living, Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan improves national statistics system
29.04.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree to further improve the national statistics system, determine the strategic directions for its development and organize the State Statistics Committee's activity.

According to the document, the provisions on the State Statistics Committee and the structure of its central office, the position of the inter-sectoral council on statistics under the committee were approved in Turkmenistan.

Spring racing season starts in Turkmenistan
09.04.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The spring racing season kicked off in Turkmenistan - the homeland of famous Akhalteke horses, Turkmenatlary (Turkmen Horses) state association said on Monday.

True lovers of Akhalteke horses were observing the races at the equestrian complex, the newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan reported.

It is expected that the main annual trophy will be drawn on the last Sunday of April. According to the tradition, the Turkmen holiday of heavenly horses is widely celebrated in the country on that day.

Turkmenistan to build reservoirs
05.04.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan plans to build reservoirs on the River Gozganchay in the Kaahka etrap (district) of the Akhal velayat (region) and in Kunya Urgench etrap of the Dashoguz region, according to the decision of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Water management equipment will be supplied by the Türkmen Enjam business entity. The equipment is also designed for the development of new irrigated land with a total area of 25,000 hectares in the Altyn Asyr district of the Akhal province.

Turkmen President signs decree on military call-up
22.03.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (AF) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree "On transfer of the Armed Forces and other Turkmen troops performing military service by conscription to the reserve."

The document also provides for enlisting Turkmen male citizens, aged 18 by the day of call-up, without the right for draft deferment in the armed forces, for voluntary military service.

President of Turkmenistan instructed to finish water supply program in time
04.03.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The president of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov instructed to finish the realization of the program on providing the people of inhabited areas with clean water in time, the Turkmen government has announced.

This issue was discussed at the meeting of the Cabinet of ministers.

According to the message, the head of state focused his attention on the importance of those responsible for water supply to the provinces and those in charge of the provinces, to execute control over implementation of transformative programs in the regions.

Turkmen president pardons seven Kazakh citizens
18.02.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

The Turkmen president has pardoned seven citizens of Kazakhstan. This was stated by the official representative of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, Zhanbolat Usenov on Monday.

"As a result of direct talks with the leaders of Turkmenistan, as well as efforts of the Kazakh Embassy in Ashgabat, the Kazakh citizens were pardoned and released by decree of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, dating February 15, 2013," Usenov said.

Turkmenistan to celebrate Novruz at regional level in 2013
11.01.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is preparing celebrations for Novruz, which is recognized as an international festival and is traditionally celebrated on March 21, the Turkmen government said.

"This year Turkmenistan will be hosting guests during Novruz", the government stated. Holiday celebrations conducted by regional leaders were hosted by Tajikistan in 2012 and Iran in 2011.

National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan holds its congress
09.01.2013
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

Ashgabat hosted an extraordinary congress of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan, which approved a work plan for 2013 and considered an organizational issue, Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary state news agency reported on Wednesday.

Delegates unanimously elected Maral Achilova as head of the organization.

The congress was attended by heads and employees of regional and representatives of international organizations.

The multi-year partnership between Turkmenistan and the International

Population census concluded in Turkmenistan
27.12.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

A population and housing census which has been conducted since December 15, 2012, is now complete in Turkmenistan, the Turkmen State Statistics Committee said today.

Along with the population census, a housing census was conducted. Preliminary results will be announced in July 2013, with the final at the beginning of 2014.

Bangladeshi President expresses confidence in expanding relations with Turkmenistan
21.12.2012
Cental Asia|Culture & Living|Turkmenistan

In his letter to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Bangladeshi President Muhammad Zillur Rahman expressed confidence in expanding relations between the two countries.

"I firmly believe that friendship and relations between the two brotherly countries will intensify and expand," the message said.

It was previously reported that Bangladesh is examining the possibility of joining the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, promoted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistani media reported, citing sources in the Bangladeshi government.