Turkmenistan marks the18th anniversary of the proclamation of its independence. Sovereighty was proclaimed on the strength of the results of a country-wide referendum held in 1991 in the then Soviet Republic of Turkmenistan.

According to tradition, the president of the country and members of the government are to lay flowers at the Independence Monument and then the Head of State and Supreme Commander-in-Chief will review a parade. Units of all services and horsemen riding Akhal Tekke horses will march past.

Turkmenistan''s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, in a speech on Monday at the ceremony marking the presentation of State awards in honour of the Independence Day, said, "We shall continue to effect large-scale economic reforms which will ensure successful implementation of the State for the Individual slogam aimed at raising the living standards of the Turkmen people".

The President presented orders and medals to Vice-Premiers, as well as to the Parliament Speaker, and Defence Minister. High awards of Turkmenistan were also presented by the President to three foreign citizens, among them Professor Viktor Sarianidi, a Russian archeologist.

Among more than 100 awardees, there are people representing all branches of the country''s economy, scientists and art people.