Today, in honour of the 34^th anniversary of the country's independence, a ceremony was held to present state awards and confer new military and special ranks, as well as class ranks, to service members and law enforcement officers in accordance with documents signed by the President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General of the Army Serdar Berdimuhamedov. This enhanced the significance of the celebrations held to mark the latest anniversary of state independence.

For conscientious fulfilment of their sacred military duty, significant contribution to strengthening the defence capability of the Fatherland, great achievements in maintaining peace and strengthening law and order in society, and also on the occasion of the holiday of high appreciation of the Motherland, a group of servicemen and employees of the country's military and law enforcement agencies were awarded the award.

As noted in the President of Turkmenistan's Address to the Nation on Independence Day: «On the eve of the third millennium—thirty-four years ago—our independence was proclaimed and an exemplary model of democratic, legal, and secular government was chosen, based on the path of sovereign and free development for Turkmenistan. During this glorious period, our country pursued an independent, progressive policy, made a worthy contribution to global political, economic, and cultural progress, and united efforts in the name of peace and friendly relations on the planet».

Turkmenistan, defining the principles of positive neutrality, peacefulness, good-neighbourliness, and broad international cooperation as the main directions of state policy, implements an exclusively defensive Military Doctrine and ensures the high defensive capability of the National Army, which is the guarantor of a peaceful and prosperous life for our people. This state awards ceremony clearly demonstrates the worthy contribution of military personnel to the successful completion of these tasks.

In addition, for their significant personal contribution to strengthening the independence of the permanently neutral Turkmen state, strengthening its defence capability, protecting its territorial integrity, ensuring security, public order and law and order, exemplary performance of official duties, and achieving high results in combat training, a group of military personnel and employees of military and law enforcement agencies were awarded medals of Turkmenistan.

Having proudly accepted high state awards in honour of the 34^th anniversary of the country's independence, the defenders of the Motherland took an oath to continue to conscientiously fulfil their military duty and to courageously and selflessly stand guard over the independence and territorial integrity of the Fatherland and its people.

Over the years of sovereignty, the Armed Forces have become an unshakable pillar of neutral Turkmenistan. Currently, the state prioritises strengthening the National Army's material and technical resources and improving the living conditions of service members and their families.

Receiving their awards with a sense of great pride, the participants of the ceremony, who had linked their fate with the defence of their beloved Fatherland, knelt before the sacred State Flag as a sign of their military oath, eternal devotion to the Fatherland, and readiness to protect the peaceful and creative life of the people of Turkmenistan.

Military and law enforcement personnel expressed their deep gratitude to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Hero Arkadag for the high state awards, emphasising their continued commitment to the noble traditions of the Turkmen people, such as patriotism and selfless devotion to the sacred Fatherland. This is a clear result of their efforts to honourably continue the glorious path of our valiant ancestors.

Today, our independent, permanently neutral country, Turkmenistan, makes a worthy contribution to global efforts to maintain peace and security on the planet. In this regard, great importance is attached to strengthening the legal status of neutrality and ensuring the inviolability of the state border. This demonstrates that the defenders of the Fatherland are making every effort to fulfil the tasks arising from the Military Doctrine of Turkmenistan, which is strictly defensive in nature.

Those awarded military and special ranks, as well as class ranks, expressed their sincere gratitude to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country for the high awards and assured that they will continue to fulfil their military duty with dignity, setting an example of faithful service to the Motherland, high respect for the glorious path of their ancestors, patriotism, courage and bravery.