ASHGABAT -- Due to Turkmenistan's silver jubilee celebrations, which will take place October 27-28, the country has taken measures to ensure its border security, a State Border Service officer who gave only his first name, Rozygeldy, told Caravanserai October 24.
The country gained its independence in 1991.
"This is commonly done leading up to a large state holiday," Rozygeldy said.
As part of increased security measures, Turkmenistan has suspended visa-free travel for residents of Kazakhstani and Uzbek provinces along the Turkmen border. Usually those foreigners may travel to Turkmenistan for up to three days under a simplified system.
