Turkmenistan celebrated the 23rd anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union with a massive military parade in Ashgabat on October 27.
Two days of celebrations marking the occasion began on October 26 when thousands of Ashgabat's residents attended performances by dancers and singers in the capital city's national sports stadium.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov.
Putin said in that telegram that the development of closer relations between Moscow and Turkmenistan would bolster stability and security in Central Asia.
