Saparmyrat Ataevich Niyazov was officially elected as the first President of Turkmenistan in June 21, 1992 and has been in office ever since. At the session of Khalk Maslahaty (People’s Council), the highest body of popular representation, Niyazov was reelected as life-term President in 1999, and subsequent constitutional amendments were adopted to eternalize his presidential term. The People’s Council, under the chairmanship of Mr. Niyazov, holds annual sessions where it proposes recommendations to the executive branch on further social, economical and political development of Turkmenistan.

On June 19, amongst the nationwide preparations for the twelfth anniversary, an International Conference entitled “Ever Great Saparmyrat Turkmenbashi – the Turkmens’ Golden Century’s President” took place in the Mekan palace in Ashgabat. Representatives of the Mejlis (legislature of Turkmenistan), the Cabinet of Ministers, and observers from foreign embassies, organizations, scholars and university lecturers participated in the conference. Participants such as Amangeldi Rejepov, the hakim (governor) of the capital city Ashgabat highlighted the increasing number of new buildings, fountains, and roads that have been built under the tutelage of Turkmenbashi. In his speech, the rector of the Institute of Culture also accentuated the President’s policies to revive Turkmen history, culture, traditions and also noted that purifying the mind of Turkmen youth takes a special part in presidential policies. As a result of the conference, the presenters bowed to Niyazov’s policies, reforms and vowed to follow his path to lead Turkmenistan with a separate way of development claimed to be dissimilar different from those of its neighbors.

The deputies of Mejlis sent an official letter of congratulations to Mr. Niyazov as well. The letter stressed a number of key issue areas where Turkmenistan has achieved tangible results within the years of independence. Within this context, Turkmenbashi’s foreign policy, congruent with the status of neutrality, stable domestic policies, and high productivity under the guise of a Ten Year Prosperity Program, were highly evaluated. The deputies also extolled the growing trade relations between Turkmenistan and Russia, the U.S., Turkey, and neighboring countries such as Iran, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. Turkmenistan’s GDP growth of 21% for the last six months distinguishing it among CIS countries was a remarkable point to pause at.

On the occasion of his twelfth anniversary, a monument of Niyazov was also erected in his honor in front of the building of Mejlis. However, the President himself did not participate in the opening ceremony. In addition, a gala concert was also organized in the Ruhyyet palace as a part of the nationwide festivities. Distinguished national singers expressed their congratulations to the President through their poems, songs and plays on the stage of the palace, with roughly 3,000 people in attendance. Turkmenbashi’s poems such as “Gownum” (My Soul) were sung to a song the first time during the ceremony. Besides, a grand fountain, reminiscent of mountain nature was opened in front of the Gorogly highway in Ashgabat. The width of the fountain is 40 meters and the circulation capacity is 730 cubic meters of water.

In the pace of all celebrations in the country, President Niyazov also held a session of the Cabinet of Ministers on the day of his anniversary. Among other issues, Turkmenbashi spoke about the pace of development Turkmenistan is going through, the busy wheat harvesting and Turkmenistan’s foreign relations with foreign and neighboring countries. He said some people abroad think Turkmenistan is a “closed society” and utterly rejected it by referring to the country’s good standing in its political, economical and cultural relations with other countries. During the course of the meeting, he also gave a hint that he might announce the date for next presidential elections in the coming thirteenth session of the Peoples Council. Earlier, he said that elections could possibly be held in 2008. At the end of the session, he expressed his gratitude for all the congratulations sent and festivities organized on the occasion.