September 27 is celebrated as Independence Day in Turkmenistan. On December 12, 1995, with the unanimous support of 185 countries, Turkmenistan was recognized as a permanent Neutral State by the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. Currently, Turkmenistan has established diplomatic relations with 155 countries.
Turkmenistan is a democratic, legal and secular state. The form of government is a presidential republic. The political structure of the Turkmen state was formed in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted on May 18, 1992 (with the new edition dated on September 14, 2016). As the Constitution of Turkmenistan is the Basic Law of the state, the state structure of Turkmenistan is based on the principles of separation of legislative, executive and judicial authorities, which maintain balance and act independently. The rules and regulations enshrined in the Constitution have direct effect. Laws and other legal acts that against with the Constitution have no legal force.
The people exercise the sovereignty of Turkmenistan, and the people are the unique source of state power. The people of Turkmenistan exercise their power directly or through representative institutions.
The state guarantees freedom of religion and belief, equality before the law. Religious organizations are separate from the state; they cannot interfere in the affairs of the state and perform the functions of the state. The state's education system is separate from religious institutions and is secular in nature.
The President of Turkmenistan is the Highest Official of Turkmenistan and is the Head of state and executive power. He heads the Cabinet of Ministers - Government of Turkmenistan.
The President of Turkmenistan acts as a guarantor of state Independence and legal status of permanent Neutrality, territorial integrity, observance of the Constitution, human and civil rights and freedoms, and fulfillment of international obligations. The President of Turkmenistan is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan.
The Halk Maslahaty (the People's Council) of Turkmenistan is a highly representative body that represents the interests of the people of the country. The main goal and main tasks of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan are to support and serve the people in order to solve problems of national importance, to implement the reforms and social and economic programs implemented in the country, to develop proposals, to give advice, to strengthen the unity, stability, stability, peace, and well-being of the people, and to support and serve the dynamic development and strengthening of the independent, permanent neutral state along the path of great changes in the new era.
The members of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan include the Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, the President of Turkmenistan, the Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, members of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, deputies of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan, the Secretary of the State Security Council of Turkmenistan, the Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan, the authorized human rights representative - Adalatchy in Turkmenistan, governors of provinces, districts and cities, heads of velayat people's councils, etraps and cities, mayors of cities and towns that are administrative centers of velayats, leaders of political parties, trade unions and other public associations, representatives of the public, including elders, proposed by the people's councils of velayats and Ashgabat.
The Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan is a unicameral representative body that exercises legislative power. The Mejlis of Turkmenistan consists of 125 deputies, who are elected for a five-year term in constituencies with approximately the same number of voters.
The Cabinet of Ministers (Government) of Turkmenistan is an executive and regulatory body. The members of the Cabinet of Ministers include Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers and ministers. The President of Turkmenistan may include other persons who are heads of the central bodies of the executive power in the Cabinet of Ministers.
Judicial power in Turkmenistan belongs only to courts. Judicial power is intended to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, state and public interests protected by law.
TERRITORY
Turkmenistan is one of the five countries of Central Asia, and it occupies the second place among them in terms of its area, that is, the area of Turkmenistan is equal to 491.21 thousand km2. It stretches out to 1100 km from West to East and 650 km from North to South. Turkmenistan borders the Republic of Kazakhstan to the north, the Republic of Uzbekistan to the northeast and east, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the southeast, and the Islamic Republic of Iran to the south. In the west, the Caspian Sea is a natural border and borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan.
POPULATION
The population of Turkmenistan is over 7 million (as of December 2022). Turkmenistan is a multi-ethnic state. Representatives of more than 100 nationalities live in the country.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Turkmen language is the state language. All citizens of Turkmenistan are guaranteed the right to use their mother tongue. Three languages - Turkmen, English and Russian - are taught in educational schools of Turkmenistan. In addition, French, Chinese, German, Japanese and other foreign languages are taught in specialized training schools.
MONETARY UNIT
The national currency is the manat, which was put into circulation on November 1, 1993.
ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL DIVISION
Ashgabat is the capital of Turkmenistan. Ashgabat includes four etraps - Bagtyyarlyk, Berkararlyk, Kopetdag and Buzmein etraps.
Arkadag city in Turkmenistan is a city of state significance with a special legal status. Arkadag city includes two districts - Karizek and Gorjav districts.
There are five velayats in Turkmenistan - Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap and Mary velayats. Each velayat is divided into etraps (districts). Turkmenistan has 37 etraps, 7 urban regions, 48 cities, 6 of which are towns with regional rights, 70 settlements, 461 councils (village local bodies) and 1,691 rural settlements.
HOLIDAYS AND MEMORIAL DAYS
Businesses, organizations and institutions are closed on the following public holidays and memorial days:
1) January 1 – New Year’s Day;
2) March 8 – International Women’s Day;
3) March 21-22 – National Spring Holiday;
4) May 18 –Day of the Constitution of Turkmenistan and the National Flag of Turkmenistan;
5) September 27 – Independence Day of Turkmenistan;
6) October 6 – Memorial Day;
7) December 12 – International Neutrality Day;
8) Gurban Bayram - The exact date of Gurban Bayram is determined every year by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan;
9) Ramadan holiday - The exact date of Ramadan holiday is determined every year by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan
Celebrations and memorial days are also celebrated in Turkmenistan without holidays (if they coincide with working days) determined by the Decree of the President of Turkmenistan.
1) January 27 – Defenders of the Fatherland Day;
2) February 18 – The Day of Diplomatic Workers of Turkmenistan;
3) April 7 – World Health Day;
4) Last Sunday of April – National Holiday of the Turkmen Horse;
5) May 9 – Victory Day of 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War;
6) May 25 – The Day of the City of Ashgabat;
7) Last Sunday of May – the Turkmen Carpet Day;
8) June 1 – International Children’s Day;
9) June 3 – World Bicycle Day;
10) June 5 – World Environment Protection Day;
11) June 12 – Science Day;
12) June 27 - Day of Culture, Art and Poetry of Magtymguly Fragi;
13) September 1 – Day of Education and Student Youth;
14) October 1 – the International Day of Older Persons;
15) October 10 - the Day of Healthcare and Medical Industry Workers of Turkmenistan;
16) Last Sunday of October – the Turkmen Alabay Day;
17) November 3 - Day of employees of the construction and industrial complex;
18) the second Sunday of November – Harvest Day;
19) December 14 – the Day of Workers in the Oil and Gas Industry and Geology;
20) December 21 – Memorial Day of the first President of Turkmenistan S.A. Niyazov (the Great Saparmurat Turkmenbashi).
