Paris - Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov and UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor recently signed a memorandum of co-operation in the fields of education, science, culture and communication between the Organization and the former republic of the Soviet Union located between Iran and the Aral Sea.

"UNESCO is one of the first international organizations to have established relations with Turkmenistan immediately after its accession to independence, thanks in good part to your personal efforts," President Niyazov told Mr Mayor during the signing ceremony on 10 September in Paris.

The accord calls for UNESCO to assist Turkmenistan in developing reform of its education system. The Organization will also give Turkmen education officials access to experience acquired in other countries in multilingual teaching. The agreement also provides for participation of Turkmen schools in UNESCO's Associated Schools Project.

Particular attention will be paid to teacher training and development of curricula, notably in the area of citizenship education. UNESCO also envisages establishment of UNESCO Chairs in the Turkmen State University in the fields of population issues, human rights, democracy and communication.

In the sciences, UNESCO will help facilitate access of Turkmen researchers and specialists to international data bases, especially in natural sciences, engineering sciences and ecology. The agreement also calls for international assistance in studying the ecological problems of the Caspian Sea and for Turkmen participation in the Management of Social Transformation programme.

In the area of culture, the accord covers safeguarding Turkmen historical monuments and archaeological sites, notably the ancient cities of Nissa, Kunya Urgench and Merv (Mary). During its 27th Session, the UNESCO General Conference decided to associate the Organization with preparation and celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the ancient city of Merv, which forms part of the UNESCO Silk Roads project.

"We appreciate the fact that it was on the initiative and with the support of UNESCO that the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the ancient city of Merv will be widely commemorated by the international community in 1999," President Niyazov said.

The memorandum also calls for co-operation in the field of communication, information and computer sciences. UNESCO will assist in training journalists and will provide support to national information media, notably by facilitating co-operation between the Turkmenistan National Radio and Radio France International. The Organization will also help the country create a computer network and computerise management of its public finances.

During a conversation before the signing ceremony, President Niyazov underscored the importance of UNESCO's efforts to develop international co-operation and create a climate of confidence among peoples. He expressed his country's determination to participate actively in UNESCO programmes.

The Director-General recalled that two international seminars on curricular planning and citizenship education had been organized by UNESCO in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabad. "In a world in conflict, your country is an oasis of peace, neutrality and conviviality," he said, emphasising that only a people who preserve their past can ensure their future.