The details were added (the first version was posted at 6:06 p.m., Oct. 25)
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, Berdimuhamedov has made an invaluable contribution to strengthening the country's independence and its integration into the global community, today's and future happy life of the people, strengthening the legal foundations of the state, development of national economy and culture.
According to the Turkmen official source, Berdimuhamedov thanked for the award and promised to work for the welfare of the people and country.
The Hero of Turkmenistan also gets the gold star "Altyn Ay" (Golden Month), made of white gold and decorated with 124 various diamonds.
The Hero of Turkmenistan gets a lump sum worth $25,000 at the expense of 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 make a personal trip once a year within Turkmenistan by aircraft, train, ship and long-distance road transport free of charge.
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 organizations.