The inauguration ceremony of the newly elected President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, was held at “Rukhiet” (Spirituality) Palace in Ashgabat.
The ceremony was attended by members of both chambers of the Turkmen parliament – Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Council) and Mejlis Milli Gengesh (National Council), vice-premiers, members of the State Security Council, representatives of political parties, public associations, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Ashgabat, national and foreign mass media.
To the sounds of the ceremonial march, the guard of honor brought into the hall the State Flag of Turkmenistan, the Standard of the President of Turkmenistan, the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the Distinctive Badge of the President of Turkmenistan and the Holy Koran.
The floor was given to Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda in Turkmenistan Gulmyrad Myradov, who announced the results of the nationwide presidential elections held on March 12, 2022. The head of the Central Election Commission said that out of the total of 3,460,080 voters in the country as a whole, 3,362,052 people cast their ballots, which is 97.17 percent of the total number of voters. According to the results of voting, presidential candidate Serdar Berdimuhamedov won 72.97 percent of the vote and, in accordance with Article 76 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, was declared the elected President of Turkmenistan.
According to tradition, a white felt mat was spread in front of the new head of state as a sign of blessing for good deeds on the clear path, and a Turkmen sachak (tablecloth for bread) was presented to him as a symbol of well-being and prosperity.
The elected President of Turkmenistan, placing his right hand on the Constitution of the country, took an oath of allegiance to the Motherland and people. Then, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission, on behalf of all citizens of the country, presented Serdar Berdimuhamedov with the Certificate of the President of Turkmenistan, while honorary elders representing all regions of the state presented him with the Distinctive Badge of the President. Then, it was officially announced that the elected President of Turkmenistan took office in accordance with the Constitution of the country.
Then the head of the Turkmen state addressed the participants of the ceremony, talking about the most urgent tasks of his government.
“Independent Turkmenistan has entered a new stage of development that is called “Revival of a new era of a powerful state”. In this period, we have set ourselves even more ambitious goals. And our main goal is to ensure stability and security, socio-economic development of our Motherland, further improve the living standards of our people, strengthen peace and mutual trust on the planet,” the Turkmen leader said.
According to him, Turkmenistan will continue the policy of neutrality based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation with all states of the world.
“The key principles arising from the legal status of neutrality of our state, namely strengthening peace and security, expanding friendly and fraternal relations based on goodwill, ensuring sustainable development on the planet, will remain the priority areas of the foreign policy of independent Turkmenistan,” the President emphasized.
He noted that Turkmenistan’s political stance in international relations remains unchanged, and the state will continue fulfilling its international obligations in accordance with the UN Charter, existing bilateral and multilateral treaties, agreements and conventions.
“In this regard, our country will be consistently strengthening cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian and Islamic Development Banks, as well as with other international financial and economic institutions,” the head of state said.
He emphasized that Turkmenistan is open to all countries and peoples of the world and aims to develop trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, scientific and educational ties with them in the future.
According to Berdimuhamedov, pursuing the defensive Military Doctrine, the national Armed Forces play an important role in protecting independence and neutrality and ensuring stability of the country. “The defensive capabilities of the neutral Fatherland are intended to ensure a peaceful and prosperous life for our people. With this in mind, we will make every effort to strengthen the material and technical base of the national Armed Forces, as well as other military and law enforcement agencies. We will continue providing them with modern, most advanced technologies and other necessary equipment,” the head of state noted.
In the economic area, the Turkmen leader promised to implement a strategy aimed at the large-scale development of the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan and its integration into the international energy system. He also stressed that mitigating the negative impact of climate change on environment and human health and reducing emissions into the atmosphere will be one of the main areas of the environmental policy of Turkmenistan.
Concluding his speech, the head of state summed up the priorities of the forthcoming work in all spheres of the national economy. He noted that it is important to seize all opportunities, work hand in hand in a cohesive manner for the timely and high-quality accomplishment of these tasks. The speech by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was listened with great interest and welcomed with loud applause.
This marked the conclusion of the inauguration ceremony. Accompanied by the official horse escort, the head of state went by car to “Oguzhan” presidential palace complex, where he reviewed the parade of the guard of honor and units of the armed forces.
After that, the head of state proceeded to “Oguzhan” palace complex to begin his duties at the highest state post.
On the same day, in accordance with the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the head of state signed a resolution on the dismissal of the government whose members were instructed to perform their duties until the establishment of the new Cabinet of Ministers.
An official reception was also given in honor of the inauguration of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and a festive ritual meal was served at the Khazret Omar mosque in Ashgabat.
In the evening, a concert of popular artists took place in the square in front of the State Tribune. The celebration of the inauguration of the new president of the country finished with colorful fireworks that lit up the evening sky over Ashgabat with thousands of bright lights.