OREANDA-NEWS. On 22 August 2008 was announced, that President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General of the Army Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a working trip to a military unit stationed in the town of Serdar, the Balkan Velayat.

This meeting continued the good tradition initiated by the Turkmen leader who attached particular significance to strengthening the country’s defence capacity, maintaining peace and stability in the homeland.

Standing steadfast to the status of neutrality and rejecting any violence Turkmenistan implements the military doctrine of the purely defensive character. To protect the Motherland is the strategic task set to the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan. To fulfill it the Government takes the necessary measures prioritizing training of professional military personnel. There are a number of the military higher schools opened in the country including the Military Institute and the Military Academy at which future officers master the profession – to defend the Motherland.

Today the fact that the policy of peace, good neighbourliness, friendliness and wide international co-operation consistently pursued by the Turkmen leader stands as an effective mechanism of maintaining stability and security in the region, serve the interests of the whole mankind is uncontestable.

In the morning the President’s helicopter landed at the military aerodrome nearby the town of Serdar. Minister of Defence A. Mammetgeldiev reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

Then the President drove to the garrison of 22nd motorized infantry division that was looking forward to meeting the Turkmen leader. The divisional commander reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

An exposition of the military machines: infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, reconnaissance landing vehicles, Gvozdika and Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers, Grad and Uragan jet volley fire systems, SKAD rocket launching system, Osa anti-aircraft missile system, Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, Luna-M tactical missile system had been arranged on occasion of the President’s visit.

The Turkmen leader talked to the crews of the high-powered military machines and guns showing keen interest in the parameters and tactical specifications of the military vehicles.

Expressing belief that the Turkmen soldiers would perform with dignity their sacred duty to the homeland the President presented 20 KAMAZ vehicles to the soldiers. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Turkmen leader on behalf of the personnel of the motorized infantry division the divisional commander assured Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that the Turkmen soldiers and officers devoted to the glorious ancestors’ precepts and traditions would not lose the honour of the defenders of the homeland and cherish peace and concord in the native land as the apple of an eye.

Then the President greeted the officers of the division shaking hands with each participant of the meeting and talked about their concerns, the conditions of living and military service. The officers cordially thanked the Turkmen leader for the unceasing concern for and effective activity aimed at strengthening the country’s defensive capacity and the national army and establishing the professional holiday – Day of Defenders of the Motherland. The officers said that they followed the personal example of the Turkmen leader – high patriotism, diligence and courage.

Upon concluding the meeting Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wished the officers and soldiers the success in the military service and labour. Then the President visited the barrack of the 223rd motorized infantry regiment. The President visited the premises, canteen and recreation room where he had a meeting with the soldiers who could not hide their joy in talking with the Turkmen leader.

Then the President visited the polygon where the tank crews were practicing fire for effect. The soldiers demonstrated their skills to hit the targets at different distance.

Then the President approached one of the high-powered armoured fighting vehicles and took a place in its compartment. Then the tank crew demonstrated the maneuvers.

Congratulating the tank crew on the accomplishment of the combat mission the President said that this quick march had allowed him to have a clearer picture of the difficulties of military service and high professionalism, physical qualification and moral and spiritual qualities it demanded. The President said that Turkmen soldiers – the successors of the glorious ancestors’ traditions had all of these qualities though their better part was the high patriotic spirit, the readiness to stand guard over the peaceful, creative life of the native people.

Upon concluding the meeting the President wished the tank crews and the personnel of the division great accomplishments in performing the sacred duty of defenders of the homeland.

The soldiers assured the President that they would justify with dignity the confidence of the Motherland and emphasized that the meeting with the Turkmen leader and his participation in firing practice would become an unforgettable event in their lives and add a new bright page to the history of the armed forces of Turkmenistan.