The past week ended the year 2022, which has become truly fateful for our sovereign Motherland - Turkmenistan has entered a new stage of its development, called the Epoch of the Revival of a new era of powerful state. Passed under the motto "The Age of the People with Arkadag", the past year was marked by significant successes in domestic and foreign policy pursued by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and aimed both at protecting national interests and at strengthening world peace.

The focus on multilateral cooperation was confirmed by the working visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the city of St. Petersburg of the Russian Federation on December 26 to participate in the informal Summit of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

During the already traditional meeting on the eve of the New Year, the results of the work done in 2022 were analyzed and priority tasks for the coming period were specified.

The leaders of the CIS states also discussed key aspects of practical cooperation and a number of international issues of mutual interest.

Noting the commonality of goals and objectives, the participants of the informal high-level meeting reaffirmed the readiness of the neighboring countries to give the traditional partnership a new quality and content, taking into account the accumulated positive experience of joint work.

In this regard, the parties stressed the need to strengthen political and diplomatic cooperation by intensifying contacts between the foreign ministries of the CIS member states, creating effective mechanisms for systemic multilateral political consultations.

On December 28, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in the celebrations on the occasion of the opening of a complex of modern social facilities - residential buildings, a secondary school, a kindergarten, a shopping and entertainment center and other buildings and structures in the capital's western residential area.

This social project was developed taking into account the growing borders of Ashgabat and the increase in the number of its inhabitants. The construction was carried out by members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the country.

Among the participants of the celebration were the leadership and representatives of the Mejlis and the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh, vice-premiers, heads of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, heads of representations of Turkmenistan to international organizations, embassies and consulates general of Turkmenistan in foreign countries, as well as diplomatic missions and international structures accredited in our country, elders, representatives of public organizations, the media.

The residential area consists of 62 four-storey houses of improved planning and is designed for 3064 families. It also has all the necessary social infrastructure facilities, a shopping and entertainment center and a market, children's and playgrounds. A large range of works on landscaping and landscaping of territories has been carried out, a modern road and transport network has been formed, engineering and technical support corresponds to the modern level, including power supply and communication systems, water supply and sewerage.

The head of state visited the happy new settlers, visited a store built on the territory of the complex, where customers are offered a wide range of goods, examined the buildings of a comprehensive school for 320 places, the equipment of which allows the educational process to be carried out using a digital system, as well as a kindergarten where all conditions for harmonious development and interesting leisure, taking into account the characteristics of the age groups of pupils.

The President of Turkmenistan talked with the ambassadors of foreign countries and heads of representative offices of international organizations participating in the significant event, and congratulating them on the upcoming New Year, thanked them for their active participation in events of great importance in the life of our state.

On December 29, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Security Council, to which the hyakims of the velayats and the city of Ashgabat were also invited.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of Turkmenistan approved the motto of 2023 “Happy youth with Arkadag Serdar”, adopted by the Mejlis of Milli Gengesh on the basis of numerous proposals received from citizens and during the discussion of this topic at meetings of large public associations, labor collectives, in educational institutions, cities and villages countries.

A draft emblem for 2023 was also presented to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for consideration, the details of the design of which embody the peace and prosperity of our independent neutral state, development and aspiration for progressive changes, the patriotic feelings of the youth, with which the happy future of Turkmenistan is connected. The general semantic meaning of the emblem reflects the desire of the Turkmen people, together with the youth, to follow the course of the Hero-Arkadag under the leadership of Arkadagly Serdar, to work hard for the further prosperity of their beloved Motherland.

Speaking about the large-scale work done in the country in 2022, the head of Turkmenistan stressed that in the history of our sovereign state, it will forever remain the Year of the “Era of the people with Arkadag”.

The main results of activities in the field of foreign and domestic policy include the adoption of the Concept of the foreign policy course of Turkmenistan for 2022-2028 and the beginning of its implementation. In accordance with this document, the neutral Fatherland is making efforts to solve such important tasks as ensuring peace and security at the regional and global levels. The legal status of permanent neutrality is being consistently implemented.

Bilateral and multilateral partnerships are expanding in the political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian areas.

In 2022, the Government delegation of our Motherland made visits abroad, the heads of state and government paid visits to Turkmenistan. High-level talks with the leaders of several countries of the world are also planned for 2023.

Great importance is attached to building up effective cooperation with authoritative international and regional organizations, primarily with the UN. Fruitful relations are maintained with the European Union, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the World Trade Organization.

Particular emphasis was placed on the consistently implemented program activities for the development of the national economy, as a result of which high growth rates of all sectors are ensured.

So, 2022 has become a creative year for our Motherland and full of significant events. Great successes have been achieved in the political, economic and cultural spheres. Large-scale socio-political, socio-economic reforms have been implemented.

With the aim of further prosperity of the country, the Program "Revival of a new era of a powerful state: the National program of socio-economic development of Turkmenistan in 2022-2052" was adopted. Thanks to its successful implementation, a sustainable GDP growth rate has been achieved. A 10 percent increase in wages, pensions, state benefits and student scholarships has been financed in a timely manner.

In accordance with the requirements of the time and on a planned basis, the legislation in force in the country is being improved.

The parliamentary diplomacy of Turkmenistan has demonstrated particular activeness.

Our Fatherland is also consistently promoting its economic interests, increasing its authority on the world stage.

Following the policy, the main principle of which is “The state is for the people!”, large funds are directed to improve the well-being of the population. In all regions of the country, the construction of industrial and production facilities, large residential complexes continues.

Noting that the New Year holiday is coming, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed a Decree, according to which the day off on January 1, 2023, which falls on Sunday, is transferred to January 2, and instructed the relevant leaders to keep strict enforcement of law and order in the spotlight so that citizens can have a good rest and joyfully celebrate the holiday.

In order to hold a high-level grand opening of buildings and structures in the city of Arkadag, Akhal velayat, the head of Turkmenistan signed a Resolution on the establishment of an appropriate organizing committee and on the approval of its composition.

The state and prospects of interstate partnership that meets the fundamental interests of the Turkmen and Uzbek peoples were discussed during a telephone conversation on December 29 between the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Noting the willingness of the parties to expand traditional contacts in all areas, the interlocutors expressed their firm conviction that cooperation based on centuries-old ties of friendship and good neighborliness would further develop and strengthen for the benefit of the peoples of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through joint efforts.

On December 30, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, according to a good tradition, shared the fun and joy of everyone's favorite holiday with the children by visiting the New Year's performance at the Main New Year Tree of the country, installed on the square in front of the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Center. The invitation to take part in these celebrations was received by children from different parts of the Motherland - excellent students, winners of subject Olympiads, sports competitions and creative competitions, as well as pupils of orphanages.

In the magical winter town filled with the scent of fresh pine needles, spread around a 43-meter forest beauty dressed in a sparkling outfit, a colorful performance was held with the participation of talented novice vocalists, musicians, children's choreographic ensembles, characters of Turkmen folklore and fairy tales of the peoples of the world.

Arkadagly Serdar sincerely thanked the little artists for their wonderful performances and joined the traditional round dance.

All the children who participated in the celebration were presented with New Year's gifts.

As a memory of this joyful event, at the request of the children, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took a picture with them at the Main New Year tree of the country.

The festive marathon continued with a New Year's show held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. Representatives of the leadership corps of the country came to the holiday to the children, who, like the head of state, brought their children and grandchildren with them. The event was also attended by the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign countries accredited in Turkmenistan along with their children.

Theater and circus artists, dance groups, children's creative teams and young talents showed off their talents in a grandiose performance with cheerful music, songs, incendiary dances.

The speeches of the children of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and foreign diplomats who prepared poems and cheerful songs for the holiday were greeted with applause.

The people of Turkmenistan met the New Year 2023 in an atmosphere of special enthusiasm and high emotional upsurge. Numerous residents and guests of the capital gathered on the festively decorated square in front of the Älem Cultural and Entertainment Center, where the main events of New Year's Eve took place.

The traditional teleconference connected Ashgabat with the administrative centers of all five velayats, where monitors were installed in the squares near the magnificent buildings of Türkmeniň ak öýi, which became genuine centers of spirituality and high culture.

The greetings and wishes addressed to the head of state and all Turkmen citizens, expressed by honorary elders, gray-haired mothers, khyakims and young citizens of the country, were joined by masters of arts, numerous creative teams.

In the congratulatory Address of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to the Turkmen people, which sounded a few minutes before midnight, a panorama of great achievements and large-scale undertakings was presented in 2022, which was held under the motto “The era of the people with Arkadag”.

The head of Turkmenistan also expressed hope that the New Year, which we meet with good hopes and bright aspirations, will become a year of peace, great success and significant labor achievements in the interests of the country and people.

The creative mood of the Turkmen society was very accurately reflected in the lines of a new wonderful poem by the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, presented to compatriots on New Year's Eve.

It should be noted that, following the high spiritual principles of the Turkmen people, our state creates all conditions for the comprehensive development of the intellectual and creative abilities of young citizens of the country. Unremitting attention is paid to children in need of special care.

On the first day of the new year, in the festively decorated hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a New Year's celebration was held, during which the pupils of "Döwletliler köşgi" on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty Milli Gengesh Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov were presented with gifts.

So, 2023 has taken over the baton of large-scale achievements. In our beautiful country - independent neutral Turkmenistan - it will be held under the deeply symbolic motto "Happy youth with Arkadag Serdar", which clearly demonstrates the unity of the people, the support of the younger generation for the policy of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, under whose leadership, in the Epoch of the Revival of the new era of powerful state, successes and achievements of the native Fatherland will keep on growing.