The state shall promote the introduction of scientific and technological achievements into production. Article 17. Political diversity and multi-party system shall be recognized in Turkmenistan. The state shall provide the necessary conditions for the development of civil society. Public associations shall be equal before the law. Article 18. The State shall guarantee the freedom of religions and beliefs, and their equality before the law. Religious organizations shall be separate from the State, their interference in the state affairs and performance of the state functions shall not be allowed. The education system of the State shall be separate from religious organizations and be of secular nature. Article 19. The ideology of political parties, religious organizations, public associations and other structures cannot be binding upon citizens. Article 20. Turkmenistan shall have its own Armed Forces to protect state sovereignty and security. Article 21. The official language of Turkmenistan shall be the Turkmen language. All citizens of Turkmenistan shall be guaranteed the right to use their native language. Article 22. The symbols of Turkmenistan as a sovereign state shall be its National flag, State Emblem and National Anthem. Law shall establish the description of state symbols and the procedure for their use. Article 23. The territory of Turkmenistan shall be divided into welayats [regions], etraps [districts], cities and towns and other administrative-territorial units. Law shall determine the procedure for formation and modification of administrative-territorial units. Article 24. The capital of Turkmenistan shall be the city of Ashgabat. SECTION II. HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, FREEDOMS AND OBLIGATIONS IN TURKMENISTAN Article 25. In Turkmenistan, human and civil rights and freedoms shall be recognized in accordance with generally recognized norms of international law and guaranteed by this Constitution and laws. Article 26. The human rights and freedoms shall be inviolable and inalienable.