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.

Following talks with the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the two countries are interested in attending an early Caspian summit.

The text of the statement is given on the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"We have a lot in common with regard to the Caspian perspective and interested in attending a summit without delay. Some preparatory work for the event is underway," Lavrov said.

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.

Turkmen and Turkish Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Abdullah Gul stood for implementing the new joint projects during their telephone conversation, the Turkmen government said today.

The conversation was initiated by Ankara.

"The two sides unanimously stood for intensifying the bilateral relations in all key areas and implementing new joint projects that serve the economic prosperity of both countries and the region as a whole," the information said.

The two leaders appreciated the constructive bilateral dialogue. The cooperation in trade and economy is significant.