THE STRENGTH OF A STATE LIES IN THE WISDOM OF ITS LEADERSHIP AND THE UNITY OF ITS PEOPLE

INDEPENDENT AND NEUTRAL TURKMENISTAN IS PREPARING FOR EVENTS THAT WILL BECOME IMPORTANT PAGES IN THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY. ON SEPTEMBER 27, OUR PEOPLE WILL WIDELY AND SOLEMNLY CELEBRATE THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATE INDEPENDENCE, AND ON THE EVE OF THIS, ON SEPTEMBER 23, THE NEXT MEETING OF THE HALK MASLAHATY OF TURKMENISTAN WILL BE HELD IN ASHGABAT, THE CAPITAL OF OUR COUNTRY. FOR EVERY TURKMEN, THESE EVENTS ARE NOT JUST OFFICIAL DATES, BUT DEEPLY PERSONAL AND SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES. INDEPENDENCE IS THE REALISATION OF THE DREAMS OF MANY GENERATIONS OF THE TURKMEN PEOPLE IN LARGE-SCALE MODERN TRANSFORMATIONS, AND THE HALK MASLAHATY IS OUR SOLID FOUNDATION, WHERE MODERN DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES HARMONIOUSLY BLEND WITH THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONS OF THE TURKMEN PEOPLE.

OUR CORRESPONDENT DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE FORTHCOMING EVENTS WITH JENNET OVEKOVA, A MEJLIS DEPUTY, MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION AND ITS NORMS.

NT: We stand on the threshold of the 35th anniversary of independence. Speaking not in the dry language of numbers, but from a historical perspective, what does this milestone mean for the Turkmen people as a nation? What is the greatest value of the path we have covered over the past three and a half decades?

JO: The approach of our 35th anniversary is more than just a calendar date. Three and a half decades ago, our people firmly asserted their right to self-determination in order to create a peaceful and happy future for all subsequent generations. Looking back 35 years, at our achievements in all spheres of society and the state, we can clearly see the enormous distance we have covered since that historic choice. Putting aside dry reports and statistical summaries, the significance of this period lies in the fact that over these three and a half decades, the country has established itself as a nation with a dynamically developing economy and a nation centred on the people – their dignity, rights and wellbeing. Our active foreign policy, based on the principles of neutrality, has become a reliable foundation that allows our country to build bridges of friendship with all countries, while maintaining its unique identity and high international standing as a state with permanent neutrality, three times recognised by the Community of Nations, and as a regional peacekeeping centre from which significant international initiatives, aimed at strengthening peace and trust among states and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, are launched.

Of course, experts rightly note the economic successes, large-scale construction projects and developments in medicine and education. But for each of us, independence is something much deeper and more personal. For a young entrepreneur, it is an opportunity to realise a bold idea. For a student, it is a chance to gain knowledge that is in demand worldwide. For parents, it is peace of mind for their children, who are growing up in a stable and prosperous country.

The greatest treasure of these 35 years is the confidence our people have gained. We have become active creators of our own destiny and the destiny of the entire country. Under the President’s wise leadership, we have learned to look to the future with a clear understanding that our future depends on our unity and hard work. The anniversary of independence is a reminder that independence is not a gift of fate, but the daily work of each and every one of us. And today, standing on the threshold of this important milestone, we sense the most important thing: we have chosen and are following the right path, where every step brings us closer to an even more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren. Without any pathos, we can say: independence is a great asset and national pride for our people, united by the idea of the sovereignty of the Turkmen state.

NT: How does the Halk Maslahaty help maintain unity in society and confidently move forward along the path of progress?

JO: According to the Constitutional Law of Turkmenistan “On the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan”, the Halk Maslahaty is the highest representative body representing the interests of all the people of Turkmenistan. Figuratively speaking, the Halk Maslahaty is the heart of our democracy system. The uniqueness of this body lies in its harmonious blending of the historically established model of national democracy with modern forms of popular representation in a democratic, secular and law-based state. In terms of its significance, the Halk Maslahaty serves as the link between the state and society. The meeting of the country’s highest representative body is attended by members of the Halk Maslahaty, government officials, Mejlis deputies, heads of ministries, sectoral departments, political parties, public organisations and media outlets, velayat, etrap and city hyakims, members of velayat, etrap and city halk maslahaty, honorary elders, respected mothers, representatives of the general public and others. Thus, the Halk Maslahaty creates a platform for open dialogue where the voices of the regions and the general public are heard at the highest level. The Halk Maslahaty has been granted broad decision-making powers on the most important issues of state and public life. It is here that the vector of development, aimed at the wellbeing of every citizen, is shaped. By uniting the efforts of the government, political parties, trade unions and public organisations and directing them towards addressing common challenges, the Halk Maslahaty has become a tangible mechanism that helps implement the President’s ambitious programmes. And when the people and the government act as a single, well-coordinated mechanism, the country gains a truly powerful foundation for prosperity.

NT: At the extended sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers on July 10, the President set clear objectives for the government: to approach the organisation of the next meeting of the Halk Maslahaty with the utmost responsibility and to conduct it at the highest level. What significance does the meeting of the Halk Maslahaty Presidium, held on July 15 under the chairmanship of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, have in this regard?

JO: In accordance with the Constitutional Law “On the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan”, the Presidium of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan is vested with all powers to prepare and hold meetings of the Halk Maslahaty. The Presidium resolves issues related to the convening and holding of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan; determines the date, time and venue of the next meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan; and makes decisions on including issues in the draft agenda of Halk Maslahaty meetings. Meetings of the Presidium are convened and chaired by the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan and are held openly. During the meeting on July 15, all aspects of the forthcoming nationwide forum, from the establishment of the Organising Committee to the determination of the date and venue of the next meeting of the Halk Maslahaty, were thoroughly discussed. It will be held on September 23 in Ashgabat. In this regard, the Presidium meeting on July 15 became the starting point in preparations for the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan to be held at a high level.

NT: Preparing for such significant events as the celebration of the 35th anniversary of independence and the meeting of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan is a major and responsible undertaking. How is interaction between government agencies and the public being built to ensure that all leaders and every citizen of the country feel a sense of belonging to these events?

JO: As I have already noted, the Halk Maslahaty has been granted broad decision-making powers on the most important issues of state and public life. The meeting will review the progress, made in the development of our sovereign state, summarise the milestones achieved and discuss the important tasks ahead. In this regard, the National Leader, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag gave specific instructions. Specifically, the relevant leaders are to analyse the measures planned for implementation in the coming year to maintain stable economic indicators, to develop industries, to invest in new production facilities and to further improve the population’s standard of living. Basic national programmes should serve as a guide. The Organising Committee is to prepare issues for consideration by the Halk Maslahaty and to conduct a preliminary discussion of draft documents. Work must be carried out to review and register proposals and other appeals received from citizens. The National Leader called upon parliamentarians, public organisations, the scientific community and the media to actively engage the public in explaining the historical role and political significance of the Halk Maslahaty. As Hero-Arkadag emphasises, it is important for every citizen to understand the essence of government decisions and their impact on the country’s future. Speaking about the forthcoming celebrations of Independence Day, the Hero-Arkadag stressed the importance of a responsible approach to selecting candidates for state awards and honorary titles, so that everyone who brings honour to the Motherland through their honest work receives the recognition they deserve.

NT: What are the priority tasks facing members of parliament as part of the preparatory work?

JO: All instructions, given by the Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Hero-Arkadag, are addressed directly to parliamentarians. This concerns organisational matters, the development of draft documents, the consideration of citizens’ proposals and the conduct of awareness campaigns among the public and in the media. The Hero-Arkadag also drew our attention to the organisational and methodological guidance of the halk maslahaty of velayats, etraps and cities, and the use of parliamentary diplomacy to explain the state’s peaceful and humane domestic and foreign policies.

The recommendations, given by the National Leader, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, set the pace for the entire preparatory work. For all participants, the in-depth analysis of the current situation and specific instructions served not simply as a recommendation, but as a clear guide to action. The high level of organisation, mentioned by the National Leader, guarantees that the Halk Maslahaty meeting will be productive and will become another important contribution to strengthening the foundations of Turkmen statehood.

NT: The forthcoming forum promises to be a landmark event in the context of the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence and the 2026 motto: “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.” Preparations for the Halk Maslahaty are perceived as a national undertaking, requiring unity and high professionalism. It is precisely at such moments that the true strength of Turkmen society, united around the creative ideas of the Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar, which is reflected in the well-known words, “The state is for the people!” and “The Motherland is the Motherland only with the people! The state is a state only with the people!”, is revealed.

Interviewer: Irina IMAMKULIYEVA, NT