By the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the year 2018 is being marked in Turkmenistan under the motto "Turkmenistan is the heart of the Great Silk Road". And this is very symbolic. For many centuries, through the territory of Turkmenistan, which from immemorial times was called "the crossroads of seven roads", numerous caravan routes served as roads of trade and cultural cooperation between the East and the West. In the new historical epoch, large international and regional projects are being implemented in the country, including in the energy and transport and communication fields, which are designed to promote, strengthen mutually beneficial trade and economic relations and cultural and humanitarian ties between Central Asia and other regions.

 

Within the framework of the motto of the year on February 26, in the administrative center of the Lebap region - the city of Turkmenabat, with the participation of the Leader of the Turkmen state - the mass sports competition "The Great Silk Road" including track and field athletics cross, bike ride and international motorally "Amul-Khazar 2018" was launched. It is symbolic that their route lies along the legendary ancient route, which is being revived nowdays in its new quality, the core of which falls on the territory of Turkmenistan.

As is known, in 2009 President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov initiated the international motor rally "Silk Road-2009" on the route Kazan-Ashgabat. In this regard, it’s worth mentioning that in September 2018 in Turkmenistan there will also be a major competition of motor sport masters - the Amul-Khazar 2018 rally, which is the part of the sports program under the motto "Turkmenistan is the heart of the Great Silk Road". At this stage, the country is actively preparing for international competitions - the rally "Amul-Khazar 2018", a preliminary drawing of the route has already been prepared, it is divided into five stages. Those are Amul - Mary, Mary - Derveze, Derveze - Turkmen Lake, Turkmen Lake - Yangala, Yangala - Avaza.

On the same day, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov took part in the opening of the  International airport in the administrative center of the Lebap region - in Turkmenabat.

The construction of a new air harbor was carried out by the Turkmen construction company Gundogdy (Sunrise). The new airport meets all modern requirements for such facilities. The length of its runway is 3800 meters, and the width is 60 meters, which allows to take aircraft of all types.

While delivering a speech at the opening ceremony President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that the new air gates are designed not only to meet the needs of the eastern region in air transportation, but also to emphasize the status of Turkmenabat, which turns into a major industrial center of Turkmenistan.

The representative of the Guinness Book of Records Shade Subashi-Gemidji also spoke at the opening ceremony and noted that the passenger terminal of the new airport was built in the form of a star, and the area of this image is the largest in the world. As an evidence, Sheida Subashi-Gemidji gave a special certificate of a of the Guinness Book of Records to the head of the Turkmen Airlines service.

Then, the representative of the Munich International Airport Lorenzo Di Loreto noted that the new air harbor is completely ready for work and will perform its mission with dignity. He also presented a certificate confirming the high level of technical equipment of the airport and its compliance with world standards.

At the end of the ceremony, the airliners of Turkmen and foreign companies landed in the new air harbor.

 

 

Embassy of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Armenia

03.05.2018, Yerevan

 

  -   Press release