“Congratulate you on the International Day of Older Persons that is widely celebrated in our country, wish you good health, longevity, happy and prosperous life”, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, addressing the elders. “The International Day of Older Persons occupies a worthy place among the holidays as an event that strengthens the humanitarian ties, unites the peoples. The words of sincere gratitude for their labour and great educational work are addressed to the elders during the cultural events and meetings arranged in the Turkmen capital and the regions of the country on occasion of the International Day of Older Persons. “The policy pursued in the country is based on the national interests and the aspiration to guarantee happy and prosperous life to the citizens of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the motto “The state for a person!”, we create all necessary conditions to improve the social and living standards for our people, implement important reforms that promote the recognition of Turkmenistan as one of the dynamically developing state in the political, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres”, says the President in his address. “The tradition to respect the elders is handed over from generation to generation. Whenever we launch an ambitious programme aimed at ensuring the further prosperity of Turkmenistan, we, following the centuries-old tradition, hold council with the elders. It is they, who launch cotton and wheat sowing and harvesting campaigns. The wise counsels and instructions of the elders, who have accumulated rich life experience, and our gray-haired mothers – custodians of family hearths stand at the origins of our unity. It is they who call the youth to practice creative work in the bane of the present and future achievements of our country, who give an example of kindness, hospitality and humanity to the youth”, says the President in his congratulatory address.