Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said the year of 2008 was favorable for the country and the people of Turkmenistan. He made this statement at a year-closing government meeting on 22 December which was broadcast on the national TV, the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent reports from Ashgabat.

"We owe our successes to timely decisions that we made at the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. In 2009, we have to make our efforts more consistent and efficient and do our best to fulfill all the plans," the president said.

The president of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that in the new year Turkmenistan will get to even higher level of economic development and international relations, and "will grow in strength year by year."