Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct.23 / Trend, H. Hasanov /
A regular meeting of the Council of Elders of Turkmenistan with participation of the President and members of the government has today began in Turkmenbashi, an official Turkmen source said on Tuesday.
The event is taking place on the eve of the 21st anniversary of the country's independence, which will be celebrated on Oct.27. The Council meets annually to discuss issues of national importance and functions as an advisory body.
The agenda includes discussions over state programs and issues related to the accelerated realization of large-scale fundamental reforms in villages, the source said.
A special state commission has been set up and its composition headed by the president has been approved for organizing the events, receiving, collecting and analyzing proposals and appeals addressed to it.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov recently stated that the "Council of Elders as part of the historical heritage and centuries-old spiritual experience of the Turkmen people reflects peculiarities of social and political world outlook of the people and traditions of his state".
The "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper reported that, given deep respect for opinion of the older generation, priority issues concerning the state and society are discussed with the venerable elders.