Today, Turkmenistan celebrates the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland. On this occasion, the President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the servicemen and employees of the military and law enforcement agencies with a welcoming message, which, in particular, reads:

“I cordially congratulate you on the Day of Defenders of the Fatherland, celebrated in the first days of the year, the motto of which is “Turkmenistan is the Motherland of Peace and Trust!”. This holiday is a symbol of great trust, boundless respect and care for servicemen and employees of military and law enforcement agencies who protect sovereignty, the integrity of borders, the constitutional order, the inviolability of the state border of our independent neutral Motherland - Turkmenistan, ensuring the country's security, public peace, the implementation of national legislation and law and order.

Independence and Neutrality are two wings of the Turkmen state. This is a colossal force leading our Fatherland to new heights of progress. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's sacred independence. The concept of independence, like the concepts of peace, trust, prosperity, sovereignty, has deep centuries-old historical roots.

This year we must achieve high goals and great success. They will be a kind of continuation of the remarkable achievements of the year, which passed under the motto “Turkmenistan - the homeland of neutrality” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of our state's acquisition of neutral status. This holiday was celebrated with great spiritual enthusiasm, large-scale work of historical significance was carried out in the country in all directions. Based on the centuries-old experience of our people in managing the state, we have created a qualitatively new, bicameral structure of the national parliament.

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, we held a solemn military parade at the “Halkhakydasy” Memorial Complex, which was held at a high level, despite the continuing difficult situation in the world. This parade, which received a wide response from the international community, is inscribed in golden letters in the history of our state as a significant event symbolizing the veneration of the Turkmen people for the courage, fearlessness and heroism of their compatriots.

At this time, you should begin thorough preparations for a high-level solemn military parade on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence. With your confident gait, you must walk with your head held high, with a high moral fighting spirit, demonstrate to the world community the defense capability and military power of the National Army, the high level achieved over the years of independence, dedication, courage and devotion to the Motherland of the current generation of our courageous ancestors.

Strictly fulfill the goals and observe the principles of the Military Doctrine, developed taking into account the peace-loving foreign policy of our state and determining the military-political, military-economic and military-strategic foundations for ensuring the security and integrity of the borders of our Motherland, recognized by the International Analytical Center as the safest country in the world, - high duty of each of you.

It is a great honor for you to be worthy of the trust and respect of your native people, courageously and loyally defending the gains of sacred independence, to mark with great success the wonderful holiday of the 30th anniversary of the country's sacred independence. I am firmly convinced that you will successfully cope with these tasks, walk proudly in the solemn military parade on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the sacred independence of our Motherland, and make a great contribution to its all-round development”.