President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov congratulated commanding officers, soldiers and cadets on the 23d anniversary of the creation of the Armed Forces of independent neutral Turkmenistan and Day of Fatherland Defenders. In his congratulatory address, the Turkmen leader noted that the holiday raised the flag, the glory and authority of the Armed Forces higher preserving the peace of our independent neutral Fatherland, peace and happy life of the native people. Turkmenistan successively pursues the policy of peacefulness, good neighbourliness and wide international cooperation. Being a sovereign state, Turkmenistan implements a complex programme aimed at maintaining the high defensive capacity of the Armed Forces, strengthening the material and technical basis of the army, training highly-qualified military men. The military power of the national army should serve to the interests of peace and securiy of the country, protection of happy life and creative labour of people. These principles are reflected in the Military Doctrine of independent Turkmenistan, which is based on the neutral and legal status of the state and has a defensive, peace-loving character. The President underlined that courage and bravery had been always worshiped by the Turkmen people. «Our people deeply respect valorousm braveheart figures, who are able to defend their people and their Fatherland. In the new historical epoch, the national army continues improving the peace-loving military traditions of our ancestors», said the Turkmen leader in his address. Speaking about the military reform taken place in the country, the President of Turkmenistan noted that the government would pay particular attention to strengthening and modernizing the material and technical basis of the national army, training servicemen and creating favourable conditions for defenders of the Fatherland and their families.