Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), May 31 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has signed a decree authorising the creation of a National Space Agency, national television reported.

The document, signed Monday, stipulates that the agency is being set up "to ensure the implementation of scientific achievements in the national economy and to supervise future space exploration".

Berdymukhamedov had said the presence of own national satellite would boost the development of the country's communications network, Internet and television, contribute to the implementation of ecological programmes, and improve the exploration of energy resources.

Turkmenistan has reportedly been holding talks with potential partners to acquire its first telecommunications satellite.

At present, a Russian Yamal-type satellite owned by Gazprom Space Systems provides telecommunications coverage for the former Soviet state in Central Asia.