Day of Neutrality
{{Short description|State holiday in Turkmenistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox holiday
| image= Ashgabat_Arch_of_Neutrality.jpg
| caption= Neutrality Monument
| holiday_name=Day of Neutrality
{{langx|tk|Bitaraplyk baýramy}}
| nickname=
| significance=The day the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution №50/80
| observedby=Turkmenistan
| scheduling=same day each year
| date=December 12
|duration = 2 days
|frequency = annual
| celebrations= Fireworks, Concerts
| type=State
}}
Neutrality Day of Turkmenistan ({{langx|tk|Bitaraplyk baýramy}}) is the second most important state holiday in Turkmenistan. This date is celebrated in Turkmenistan annually on December 12.{{Cite web |url=http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/message20101207.html |title=Message of Congratulations on Neutrality Day |access-date=2013-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021011737/http://turkmenistan.usembassy.gov/message20101207.html |archive-date=2013-10-21 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html |title=Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day |access-date=2013-10-20 |archive-date=2021-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008024713/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/16961.html |url-status=dead }}[http://en.ria.ru/russia/20101212/161742713.html Russia's Medvedev congratulates Turkmen leader with Neutrality Day] It coincides with the International Day of Neutrality as well as Students Day (since 2003),{{Cite web|title=Turkmenistan marks 11th anniversary of neutrality, student youth day {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/5113|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru|archive-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926002720/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/5113|url-status=dead}} which is marked together with Neutrality Day.{{Cite web|title=TURKMENISTAN MARKS 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEUTRALITY {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/3688|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru}} It has been dubbed as Turkmenistan's "second significant national holiday".{{Cite web|title=TURKMENISTAN MARKS ITS SECOND SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL HOLIDAY {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/2723|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru|archive-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926012453/http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/node/2723|url-status=dead}}
Background
UN General Assembly Resolution number 50/80 was adopted on December 12, 1995,[https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N96/761/23/PDF/N9676123.pdf?OpenElement A/RES/50/80] which expressed the hope that "the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan will contribute to peace and security in the region." The resolution calls on UN to respect and maintain the neutrality of Turkmenistan.
Festivities
In Neutrality Day across the Central Asian republic are mass festivities and holiday concerts. Ashgabat hosts international conference.[http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/?id=2934 Превентивная дипломатия – инвестиции в мирное будущее] In 2005, on the holiday's 10th anniversary, a parade of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan led by Colonel Kairam Bairamov was held in the Ashgabat Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/1063745.html|title = Turkmenistan Marks Neutrality Day with Military Parade}} In 2012, the country for the first time had all events on this date pushed back to previous days.[http://ria.ru/politics/20121212/914400580.html Туркмения отметит 17-летие своего нейтралитета]
= 25th anniversary of neutrality celebrations =
2020 celebrated the 25th anniversary of Turkmen neutrality. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow received congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin,{{Cite web|title=Greetings to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov|url=http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/64652|access-date=2020-12-19|website=President of Russia|date=12 December 2020 |language=en}} Chinese leader Xi Jinping{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}} and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko{{Cite web|title=Поздравление Президенту Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедову {{!}} Новости {{!}} Официальный интернет-портал Президента Республики Беларусь|url=http://president.gov.by/ru/news_ru/view/pozdravlenie-prezidentu-turkmenistana-gurbanguly-berdymuxamedovu-25046/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=president.gov.by}} on the occasion. The president presented Turkmen medals to 20 foreign dignitaries including former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian ambassador to Turkmenistan Alexander Blokhin, and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.{{Cite web|title=Shinzo Abe gets Turkmen medal for investments|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/12/14/news/world/shinzo-abe-gets-turkmen-medal-for-investments/810158/|access-date=2020-12-19|website=The Manila Times|date=14 December 2020|language=en-US}} The celebrations came under the motto "Turkmenistan - Homeland of Neutrality".{{Cite web|title=Turkmen parliament places Year 2020 under national motto "Turkmenistan - Homeland of Neutrality" {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/18674.html|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru}} An international exhibition beginning on 2 December and ending on Neutrality Day was held at the Expo Centre of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.{{Cite web|title=International exhibition on 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality begins in Ashgabat {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/18786.html|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru}} A Turkmen-funded mosque for 500 people was inaugurated in the Faryab Province of Afghanistan on Neutrality Day.{{Cite web|title=Turkmenistan-sponsored mosque inaugurated in Afghanistan {{!}} Turkmenistan.ru|url=http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/18791.html|access-date=2020-12-19|website=www.turkmenistan.ru}}