On This Day – December 12th

On December 12th Turkmenistan celebrates one of its main public holidays – Neutrality Day.

According to established tradition, in the early morning of December 12th – a national holiday – flower laying ceremony was held at the majestic monument to neutrality, symbolizing the commitment of Turkmenistan and the Turkmen people to the ideals of peace, creativity and goodwill.

The ceremony is attended by government officials, leaders of parliament, representatives of the military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in Turkmenistan and ambassadors of Turkmenistan to foreign countries, elders, youth, representatives of public organizations and foreign visitors.

A source of pride for the citizens of Turkmenistan, Neutrality Day is one of the most important holidays in the Central Asian country. Marked by mass festivities and holiday concerts in the capital of Ashgabat and across the country, it is a celebration of the country's development of mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries and peoples as a priority of its political strategy.

According to the country's president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Turkmenistan will "continue taking an active part in addressing issues of concern to the mankind, promoting the opportunities for strengthening global peace and security and sustainable development."

The day was formally adopted by the UN in its in General Assembly Resolution Number 50/80, which expresses the hope that "the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan will contribute to peace and security in the region." In the resolution, the United Nations "recognizes and supports the declared status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan ."

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