Stories about Turkmenistan from March, 2008
Turkmenistan: Fewer Large Families
Maciula wonders if depopulation is a real problem as the Turkmenistan Chronicle suggests in a recent article, and compares the country’s population growth rate with that of neighbouring states.
Turkmenistan: Dealing in Turkey
Patrick Frost says that for the first time in seven years, Ankara hosted a Turkmen head of state, as President Berdymukhamedov visited the nation this March 24-25 with both economic and energy issues as the two main areas discussed.
Turkmenistan: Deadly Highway
Abdulgamid writes about deadly condition of the longest and busiest motorway in Turkmenistan, Ashgabat-Mary-Turkmenabat. The road was built a few decades ago, and currently it’s not complying with any minimum technical and safety standards.
Turkmenistan: The Country's Greatest Secret
Maciula reports on the announcement of the company chosen by President Berdymukhammedov to audit Turkmen gas reserves and wonders if the outcome of the audit will be made public.
Turkmenistan: Better times for businessmen
Maciula writes about the economic reforms announced recently designed to develop the private sector and boost foreign investment in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan: A Central Asian Gas Ultimatum
Maciula reports on the ultimatum given to Gazprom – and therefore to the Western consumers – by Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and wonders about its impact on the Central Asian geopolitical situation.
Turkmenistan: The Meeting of Two Khans
Maciula analyzes the reasons for and the outcomes of the Turkmen president's visit to the neighboring Uzbekistan, which was arranged with great ceremony although tangible results of the visit were very scarce.
Turkmenistan: Presidential Orders Neglected?
Abdulgamid reports on the Turkmen president’s problems getting Head of the Ministry for National Security (Secret Service) to carry out orders.
Turkmenistan: Breakthrough in Turkmen-Azerbaijani talks
Maciula reports on the Azerbaijani-Turkmen deal signed in Baku that ends a very long dispute between the two countries and is a important step forward towards building the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.
Azerbaijan: Deal with Turkmenistan
NewEurasia reports on a deal signed in Baku that ends a 16-year dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over debt. The blog says the news is an “important step forward on the way to build a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.”
Turkmenistan: Gifts for Turkmenbashi
Maciula reflects on the article from the Moscow-based monthly ‘Turkmenistan’, which describes the Museum of Turkmenbashi in Ashgabat where visitors can see gifts given by foreign delagations to Saparmurat Niyazov.
Turkmenistan: The End of Prosecutor’s General Career
Maciula writes about the dismissal of the Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan, that further strengthened President’s Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov power. This was the next stage of weakening the Turkmen law enforcement agencies.
Turkmenistan: Presidential Program Speech
Lunaric comes up with the translation of the Abdulgamid's post that analyzes Turkmenistan President's speech outlining the agenda to reorganize national economy, modification of the country’s investment policy and stabilization of the country’s geopolitical situation.
Turkmenistan: Everyday Problems of Young Turkmen
Maciula presents two one-minute videos about everyday life of ordinary Turkmens which were made during the workshop organized last summer in Turkmenistan by One Minutes Foundation and sponsored by UNICEF.
Turkmenistan: German Offensive in Turkmenistan
Maciula writes about the Turkmen-German Economic Forum held in Ashgabat and the growing German diplomatic and business activity in the Central Asian states.
Turkmenistan: Tough Life of the Rich
Maciula writes about the dismissal of a top Turkmen official, chief of the Taxation Service and describes the difficulties that rich people face in Turkmenistan.