Today, on the instructions of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, a ceremonial presentation of passports to persons accepted into Turkmen citizenship was held at the State Migration Service.

The event was attended by representatives of international organizations and foreign mass media accredited in Turkmenistan, as well as local profile ministries and departments.

This important event that coincided with the national holiday - the Independence Day of the Motherland serves yet as another vivid confirmation of firm commitment of Turkmenistan to high humane traditions, principles of humanity and goodwill.

According to the Decree signed by the Head of State at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on September 20, 1,146 people representing 29 nationalities permanently residing in our country became citizens of Turkmenistan. In addition, according to the Resolution of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, 134 persons, who are citizens of six states and representatives of 15 nationalities, were issued residence permits in Turkmenistan.

As was noted, humanitarian matters constitute the key component of the state policy of the Homeland. According to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, the human being is recognized as the highest value of society and the State. In this context, great work is being done on the basis of national legislation and the norms of international law to protect and guarantee the rights, freedoms and interests of all people living in our country. It was noted that the Government jointly with the United Nations and other international organizations, is taking appropriate measures to ensure the rights of refugees and stateless persons.

As a permanent member of the International Organization for Migration, Turkmenistan makes a significant contribution to the efforts of the international community by implementing projects and programmes in this area. By acceding to the main international legal instruments of the United Nations, including the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, Turkmenistan has confirmed its commitment to obligations assumed.

It was emphasized that our country continues effective practice of legislative regulation and implementation of international obligations in the area of migration, including the provision of social protection and equal opportunities for apatrides - stateless persons and migrants. In March 2012, Turkmenistan adopted the Migration Act, which is periodically supplemented and improved in view of the changes taking place in the country.

During the ceremony of presenting the passports, the persons accepted to the citizenship of Turkmenistan expressed deep gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as to the National Leader of Turkmen people, Chairman of Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the great attention paid to addressing the difficulties of stateless persons and creating all conditions for their prosperous life.