The President of Turkmenistan has authorized government officials—with the exception of those in the agricultural sector and provincial governors—to take their annual leave starting August 1, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

As they do every year, members of the government will spend their vacations at the "Awaza" National Tourist Zone and in Turkmenistan’s sanatoriums.

The Head of State also noted that a summit of heads of state and other events of international significance are scheduled to be held in Awaza during the second half of the year. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for proper preparations to organize the consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Turkmenistan holds the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States this year. In this context, it is essential to ensure a high level of organization for the upcoming meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov noted.