Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 26 / Trend H.Hasanov/
The Turkmen Parliament conferred the highest title of Hero of Turkmenistan on President Berdimuhamedov at the Council of Elders on Tuesday.
According to the elders, Mr. Berdimuhamedov has made an invaluable contribution to strengthening the country's independence and its integration into the global community. He has also been instrumental in helping its citizens lead a happy life and has helped strengthen the legal foundations of the state as well as the development of the national economy and culture.
According to a Turkmen official source, Mr. Berdimuhamedov thanked the elders for the award and promised to continue his work for the welfare of the people and country.
In addition, the Hero of Turkmenistan also gets the gold star 'Altyn Ay' (Golden Month), made of white gold and decorated with 124 various diamonds. There is also a lump sum worth $25,000 from the state treasury.
The Hero of Turkmenistan gets the right to a state pension, housing and medical services. He can travel by all kinds of transport free of charge (except for taxis) and can make a personal trip once a year within Turkmenistan by aircraft, train, ship and long-distance road transport free of charge. Mr.Berdimuhamedov has been acting as the president and commander-in-chief since 2007. The next presidential elections will be held on February 12, 2012.
Under the constitution, a Turkmen president should be a citizen born in Turkmenistan. The candidate must be at least 40 years old, though not older than 70, know the state language, have lived in Turkmenistan during the past 15 years and worked in state bodies, public associations, enterprises, institutions and organisations.