Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov. President of Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Myalikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov. About work
Before the presidency of Turkmenistan, almost nothing was known about Berdimuhamedov, but now his biography has been replenished with many facts.
In the presidential elections held on February 12, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov won 97.69% of the vote, the country's Central Election Commission announced yesterday. And 97.27% of voters took part in the elections.
But this did not happen, and what we see is that these hopes have evaporated, and the return of this monument symbolizes the current direction. At least one Turkmen observer, however, sees a silver lining around this gilded thorn. “This monument is of great interest to tourists who come to Turkmenistan,” notes a travel agent based in Ashgabat. "For foreign tourists, it's a monument to dictatorship and despotic stubbornness, but for us, it's an embarrassment, and, unfortunately, we gain popularity for our absurd architectural excesses."
For the first time, Berdimuhamedov was elected head of state ten years ago, on February 11, 2007, a month and a half after the death of the former permanent leader, Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi).
Over the past ten years, the president's biography has been replenished with many new facts. Here are nine of the most interesting.
1. There is a family - the spouse is not visible
Niyazov: the battle for cult personalities. But before Berdymukhammedov began to follow in Niyazov's footsteps, he built his own cult of personality. Farangis Najibullah of Radio Free Europe wrote: Berdymukhammedov seems to share Niyazov's love of writing. During his five years in office, his name has appeared in volumes covering topics ranging from medical care to his favorite horse breed, the famed Akhalteki. It is reported that the president is going to launch a new book - a spiritual guide for the Turkmen nation.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, 59, has never been seen in public with his wife. Almost nothing is known about her. At the elections on Sunday, he appeared at the polling station with his closest relatives, but again his wife was not there.
The government website turkmenistan.gov.tm reports that the president was accompanied by father Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, mother Ogulabat Berdimuhamedov, son, two daughters and grandchildren. A photo of the president's family was not published.
According to media reports, the working title is either "Turkmennama" or "Adamnama". The book would replace Niyazov's own work on the same topic of the Ruhnama, which was required reading in all Turkmen schools. Berdymukhammedov appears to be trying to match his predecessor in other areas of flattery as well. He had a Council of Elders that gave him the official title of Arkadag. Niyazov bore the title of Turkmenbashi.
Berdymukhammedov also continued Niyazov's tradition of renaming streets, schools and organizations after his relatives. For example, a village school in the Akhal region was named after the grandfather of President Berdymukhammed Annaev. The three-story school rises above all other buildings in the village. And unlike many other rural schools in Turkmenistan, it is equipped with modern computers. And the police unit where the president's father, Myalikguly Berdymukhammedov, once served, was named after him.
2. Became a successor in a short time
Berdymukhammedov began governing the country as vice prime minister on December 21, 2006, the morning after the death of the country's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov.
Although, according to the Constitution, the chairman of parliament, Ovezgeldy Ataev, was supposed to temporarily act as president for two months - without the right to participate in the presidential elections.
Berdymukhammedov's personal tastes also tend to become national fetishes. And when Berdymukhammedov played the love song, “For You, My White Flowers,” on national television, the guitar he played was immediately dubbed a “great treasure” and sent to a museum for preservation. Police department named after Father Berdymukhammedov.
Radio Free Europe reported: State media reportedly describe it as a gesture to commemorate anniversaries of Meylikguly Berdymukhammedov's service to the Turkmen Interior Ministry and "his efforts to educate the younger generation." The building is reported to house a museum dedicated to the elder Berdymukhammedov, who once worked there as a deputy colonel. His former office is said to have been fully restored to its former state.
But he was abruptly arrested, charged with malpractice, and later sent to prison for five years.
On December 26, an extraordinary congress of the People's Council was held, during which presidential elections were scheduled and amendments were made to the Constitution, allowing the Deputy Prime Minister to act as president and participate in elections.
Critics may see this as a high honor for the colonel, who is the rank eventually attained by Myalikkuli Berdymukhammedov. The honor to the first father comes a year after the statue of the First Grandfather Berdymukhammed Annayev was erected at the Turkmen Military Academy. Annaev also had a school named after him in his native province.
A huge marble and gold statue of Berdymukhammedov has been unveiled. The monument was unveiled with a six-meter statue of the president on horseback holding a dove, the monument was opened when birds and balloons were released into the air and students shouted "Glory to Arkadag" - or "Patron", at Mr. Berdymukhammedov by his people.
In his first presidential election in 2007, Berdymukhammedov received 89.23% of the popular vote. In 2012, he improved the result to 97.14% - it would seem that there is nowhere better.
But in 2017, it turned out even a fraction more. Now, according to the amendments to the Constitution of Turkmenistan made in September 2016, the next elections will be held in seven years.
According to the official story, the building on the central square in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat was only built after public buzz about a permanent monument to the president was ignored. Arkadag portrays himself as an athlete and obsessive equestrian.
Mr. Berdymukhammedov remains humble in the face of the seeming adoration of his compatriots. When a proposal for a statue was presented last year, he said: My main goal is to serve the people and the Motherland. Berdimuhamedov Oddity and talents. In many ways, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov turned out to be just as strange as his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov. At various times, he was shown winning a national car race, performing an operation, and playing his own composition on the guitar in front of a huge audience.
4. Worst among the worst
In 2010, the president of Turkmenistan was named one of the five worst dictators in the world by Foreign Policy magazine.
Human rights activists from Human Right Watch and other international organizations regularly report on the persecution of civil activists and oppositionists, whose trail has been lost in the prisons of Turkmenistan.
The President has also written books about horses and medicine, which are bestsellers in Turkmenistan. There was a time when he reportedly fired one of his security officers for negligence, leading to an "attempted murder" by a cat. Berdimuhamedov, who is officially called "Arkadag" or "Patron" of the state, has written several books on Turkmen medicine, the Akhal-Teke horse, carpets and traditions. His novel The Bird of Happiness is a story about a child and his harsh military experience.
According to Turkmenistan's state media, the president's two-volume new book "describes the ideological, theoretical, scientific and practical basis of state regulation of the national economy, a unique model of economic development in modern Turkmenistan." Whatever that means. ^=^.
Today Turkmenistan is one of the most closed and totalitarian countries in the world. In the Freedom House ranking for 2016, the country was in the top ten along with North Korea, Syria, Somalia and Sudan.
5. Took control of 80% of the country's oil and gas revenues
"President's (Berdimuhamedov's) Personal Pocket: Oil, Gas and the Law" was the title of a report by the American research organization Crude Accountability on the situation in Turkmenistan, published in October 2011.
Berdymukhammedov authored two other books and published a collection of his speeches at cabinet meetings. The second presidential book, Akhalteke: Our Pride and Glory, followed in The Saddleman, Berdymukhammedov dedicated this book to the Akhalteke horse, which is the national symbol of Turkmenistan. Unlike his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, the current president of Turkmenistan has not made his books mandatory reading for all Turkmen students and public sector workers.
But, unlike other Turkmen authors, he enjoys the exclusive privilege of getting his name on the cover of his books. Other authors' names appear only in their books. Berdymukhammedov and beauty contests for horses. The current president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, has surpassed Niyazov in his adoration for horses. In addition to the "Defender" of Turkmenistan, Berdymukhammedov wrote a book about Akhal-Teke horses. Among his titles is "National Stud".
The document stated that Berdymukhammedov personally disposed of the country's rich energy reserves.
The authors of the report concluded that over the course of four years, the new leader of the country gradually gave exclusive powers to the State Agency for the Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources under the President of Turkmenistan, which closed all activities related to the sale of oil and gas.
The best horses of the breed will be selected "to promote the glory of the heavenly racehorse throughout the world," it says. The national competition will also include awards for best horse carpet, best breed "party dress", best portrait and best sculpture. The second presidential book "Ahalteke: Our Pride and Glory" was published. Among the few times Berdymukhammedov appears in public, he rides in Akhalteka on National Equestrian Day.
The rule of Berdymukhammedov is central part the image he portrays to the citizens of the country. Berdymukhammedov once said: We will never let our racing horses relax as they are our pride and glory and the source of our inspiration. Born in the Turkmen land, the Akhalteke horse is a symbol of bright harmony, beauty, grace and incomparable speed, inherent in its nature and developed by labor and human mind.
The precedent for "manual control" of the country's most profitable sector of the economy was set by Niyazov, who, according to Eurasianet.org, personally approved all tenders and licenses in the energy sector in 1997.
Most of all, researchers from Crude Accountability were surprised by the fact that, according to Turkmen laws, only 20% of revenues from oil and gas exports went to the state budget. The other 80% was controlled by the same agency, which was not even required to report on them.
Berdymukhammedov defeats an injury in a horse race. The officials who rushed to help him were left with a public relations nightmare. The accident was a major embarrassment to the aides, who were more accustomed to presenting their leader in the best possible light. The horse riding event was meant to celebrate the riding of the strong ruler of Turkmenistan, marking the culmination of a three-day annual celebration dedicated to the Akhal Teke national horse breed, which is revered in Turkmenistan.
But as soon as President Berdymukhammedov crossed the finish line, his horse fell right in front of dozens of journalists invited to cover the event. He was thrown forward, landing hard on the ground as other horses passed. Our correspondent says there was about a shocked silence in the stadium for about 30 minutes and no public announcements were made. Some viewers started crying in anticipation of the bad news.
6. Created the cult of Arkadag instead of the cult of Turkmenbashi
In July 2008, Berdymukhammedov returned the normal names of the months and days of the week to the country.
His predecessor tried to inscribe himself in history by renaming the names of the months: January - in Turkmenbashi, April - in Gurbansoltan (Niyazov's mother. - Ed.), September - in Rukhnama (his philosophical work).
Approximately 40 minutes later, the president reappeared in traditional Turkmen clothing to give applause. He calmly waved to the crowd, apparently unharmed, and the event resumed as if nothing had happened. The journalists were then rounded up by officials and politely asked to delete all photos and footage taken of the incident, which was described as a "sports accident" of no interest to people at home or abroad.
Berdymukhammedov raises a new equestrian monument and fires. Niyazov raised the role of horses in Turkmen society by placing the image of Yanardag in the national emblem. Berdymukhammedov spoke out against the empty equestrian centers, the quality of work in equestrian educational institutions and the low level of veterinary medicine, treatment and specialists. "That's why our horse breeders can't compete abroad," he told lawmakers.
The new names were used only in documents and office work, with the return to the regular Gregorian calendar, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However, they rejoiced early: the debunking of one cult turned into the creation of another - the cult of Arkadag (the patron of the nation). So Berdimuhamedov began to be called in 2010, since then the unofficial title has firmly entrenched in him.
The President, ordering a new statue, said that it would improve the architectural and urban landscape of the city of Ashgabat. He gave permission to the city administration to attract contractors to build a monument at a major intersection. Berdymukhammedov ordered the creation of a riding horse and the renaming of the horses.
Therefore, it may not be surprising that Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov issued a decree regulating almost all aspects of the life of the national symbol of Turkmenistan - the thoroughbred horse Akhalteka. Everything in addition to Berdymukhammedov periodically rides in public races in which he will undoubtedly take first prize, as no jockey dares to catch up with him. The name Berkarara, which means "stability", comes from Berdymukhammedov's frequent public statements that his period of rule was "a successful era of a stable state."
7. Helped cut out a tumor, wrote a book
The second president of Turkmenistan is a dentist by profession, he completed his postgraduate studies in Moscow, and in 20 years after graduation he made an enviable career in this field.
By the time of his appointment as Minister of Health in 1997, he was the director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health of Turkmenistan.
It is illegal in Turkmenistan to watch a video showing his fall. The president's intense interest in equestrian sports is part of a broader political strategy that began under Niyazov to promote sports of all kinds, draw public attention to Turkmenistan's domestic problems and raise Ashgabat's international profile. at the expense of ordinary citizens as the government destroys neighborhoods to make room for new sports facilities or to decorate the capital ahead of major international competitions.
Later he became Deputy Prime Minister, responsible for education, science, culture and the media. Already in the presidency in 2007, he received the degree of doctor of medical sciences and the title of professor.
In 2009, the leader of the nation assisted in an operation to remove a benign tumor behind the ear. This happened during the grand opening of the cancer center in Ashgabat.
And the book he wrote about the medicinal plants of Turkmenistan was recommended as a guide to all healthcare workers.
8. Chief horse breeder
Among other titles of the current president is “People's Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan”. His passion - horses, is also dedicated to one of his books entitled "Akhal-Teke horse - our pride and glory."
In April 2013, the leader of the nation, a skilled rider, fell off his horse during a race. Later, the security forces made a lot of efforts to prevent the spread of information about the emergency, but this video is still available on YouTube.
It was reported that the presidential horse stumbled just after crossing the finish line, so that despite the fall, Berdymukhammedov still won those races.
The President of Turkmenistan generally likes to win competitions. For example, once I came to the opening of a car race, suddenly decided to participate - and finished first.
9. Writes songs and sings
During a meeting with voters in the Akhal region on January 30, the president, answering a question about what he was doing, replied that he was working on songs for women that he wanted to present to them on March 8 - International Women's Day.
Then the head of Turkmenistan was captured with a guitar, fervently and with feeling he sang a song to his own accompaniment, thus answering musical greeting young voters.
President of Turkmenistan
President of Turkmenistan. Since 1997 he has headed the Ministry of Health. In 2001, he became Deputy Prime Minister in charge of healthcare, education and science, and since 2004 - culture and the media. In December 2006, he became the interim president of Turkmenistan, in February 2007 he was elected president of the country, in February 2012 he was re-elected for a second term. Head of the government. Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, General of the Army, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Doctor of Economics, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan.
In 1995, Berdimuhamedov became director of the dental center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. On May 28, 1997, he was appointed Minister of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan,,. In addition, in 1998, Berdimuhamedov became the head of the Saparmurat Niyazov International Medical Center,,. On April 3, 2001, in addition to his ministerial position, Berdimuhamedov became Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Turkmenistan, responsible for health, education and science,,,, and from August 2004 he also began to oversee culture and the media.
Berdymukhammedov's activities as a minister and vice president were practically not covered in the media, as well as the work of other high-ranking Turkmen officials. It is known that in November 2002 he ordered to expand the experiment of renaming the days of the week and months of the year, as well as replacing the traditional greeting "Salam Aleykum" in favor of Niyazov's "Rukhnama" and "Shamchirag". In July 2003, Berdymukhammedov headed the state commission for admission to higher educational institutions, which became possible to enter only after two years of work in the chosen specialty, and not immediately after graduation. From July 9 to August 9, 2003, it was planned to enroll 3,920 students in 16 Turkmen universities. In November 2003, Berdimuhamedov was reprimanded by Turkmen President Niyazov for the low level of qualifications of Turkmen doctors, but retained his post,. In April 2004, Niyazov fined Berdymukhammedov the amount of his three-month salary for the fact that about half of the wage arrears in Turkmenistan were in education and health care,. According to some reports, Berdymukhammedov at one time was Niyazov's personal doctor.
On the one hand, Berdymukhammedov owed his government posts to the President of Turkmenistan, who personally dismissed high-ranking officials from time to time, preventing them from gaining connections and gaining a foothold in power. On the other hand, some experts named Berdimuhamedov among those officials who influenced Niyazov's similar decisions, thereby eliminating competitors. So, in November 2002, Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Prime Minister, who oversaw the oil and gas industry, Elly Gurbanmuradov, allegedly managed to dismiss Rejep Saparov, who was appointed manager of the presidential administration of Turkmenistan, from the post of Deputy Prime Minister. Experts then spoke about the inevitable clash of interests between Berdimuhamedov and Gurbanmuradov and relied on the latter. On May 20, 2005, Gurbanmuradov was arrested on charges of corruption and cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies in order to politically destabilize the country,. On July 2, 2005, Saparov, elected in August 2003 as deputy chairman of the People's Council (Halk Maslakhaty), was arrested for bribery, illegal acquisition and possession of weapons, abuse and abuse of office,. At the end of July 2005, Saparov and Gurbanmuradov were sentenced to 20 and 25 years in prison, respectively. Unofficial reports soon surfaced that the latter had committed suicide.
According to some reports, in September 2004, Berdymukhammedov took part in a closed meeting of the President of Turkmenistan, held in a narrow circle. Niyazov was allegedly greatly frightened by the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced on September 13, 2004 (after the Beslan events) that the heads of regions and republics would henceforth be appointed by the president of the country. According to experts, it seemed to Niyazov that the question of the leader of Turkmenistan would soon be decided again in Moscow. To discuss the expediency of holding an all-Turkmen referendum on "reunification with Russia," he called an emergency meeting, which, to the surprise of experts, was attended by the head of the presidential administration Saparov, his deputy Alexander Zhadan and Berdimuhamedov. It is reliably known that from September 13 to 15, 2004, the German cardiac surgeon Hans Meissner conducted another examination of Niyazov,.
On November 28, 2006, instead of Niyazov, Berdimuhamedov took part in a meeting of the Council of CIS Heads of State,. A year earlier, Niyazov turned to the leaders of the CIS with a request to consider Turkmenistan not as a permanent, but as an associated member of this organization,. In the fall of 2006, Berdymukhammedov, who allegedly was Niyazov's illegitimate son, was called a possible successor to the president. True, according to experts, the same rumors circulated about former head National Security Committee Muhammad Nazarov, who was sentenced to 25 years in April 2004,.
On the night of December 20-21, 2006, Niyazov died of sudden cardiac arrest. On December 21, 2006, Berdymukhammedov became the interim president of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the powers of the president of the country were to go to the chairman of the parliament (Mejlis), and he did not have the right to participate in new elections, which were to be held no later than two months later. However, the chairman of the parliament, Ovezgeldy Ataev, was taken into custody, and the Security Council of Turkmenistan appointed Berdimuhamedov, who was also appointed head of the commission for organizing the funeral of Niyazov, as acting president. According to some experts, a coup has actually taken place in the country. On December 23, 2006, Berdimuhamedov relieved himself of the post of Minister of Health and Medical Industry, appointing Byashim Sopyev as Acting Minister. On December 24, 2006, Niyazov was buried, and an emergency congress of the People's Council was scheduled for December 26, 2006 to determine his likely successors.
On December 26, 2006, Berdymukhammedov was elected chairman of the Congress of the People's Council, which on that day changed the constitution of Turkmenistan, adopted a law on presidential elections, set the date for the presidential election, and approved six candidates. The congress delegates, at the suggestion of the second secretary of the ruling Democratic Party, Ondjik Musaev, who allegedly remembered Niyazov's posthumous will, amended the country's fundamental law, allowing the vice-premier to act as president of the republic. The head of the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan announced that elections would be held on February 11, 2007. Then representatives of all five velayats (regions) and the capital of Turkmenistan, which has the status of a region, nominated ten candidates. The last - eleventh - was Berdimuhamedov, whose candidacy was proposed by Musaev. Each of the nominated candidates had to be approved as a presidential candidate by two-thirds of the members of the People's Council: only five out of ten passed this selection, while Berdimuhamedov was voted unanimously,.
On February 11, 2007, Berdimuhamedov was elected President of Turkmenistan. More than 2.677 million residents of the country (98.65 percent of voters) took part in the elections, of which 89.23 percent voted for Berdimuhamedov. Already on the day of voting, the date of the inauguration of the new president was announced, despite the theoretical possibility of a second round of elections. On February 14, 2007, at a meeting of the People's Council, the final results of the vote were announced, Berdimuhamedov took an oath on the constitution of Turkmenistan and received a presidential certificate from the hands of the chairman of the CEC. In accordance with the constitution of Turkmenistan, the president of the country is the head of the government - the cabinet of ministers.
On May 4, 2007, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan awarded President Berdymukhammedov, the Supreme Commander of the Republic's Armed Forces, the rank of Army General. Before him, only Niyazov and two defense ministers, the former Danatar Kopekov and the current Agageldy Mamedgeldiyev, wore this military rank in Turkmenistan.
In the summer of 2007, President Berdimuhamedov received the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences and the title of Professor in the specialty "Social Hygiene and Health Organization". This decision was made by the expert commission on medical sciences of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology of Turkmenistan on the basis of many years of scientific and practical work of Berdimuhamedov. In August 2007, Berdimuhamedov was elected chairman of the Galkynysh ("Revival") National Movement and the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan.
In September 2007, during a visit to the United States, timed to coincide with a meeting of the UN General Assembly, Berdimuhamedov announced the upcoming reform of the economy and democratization of the country,. Shortly thereafter, Berdymukhammedov set about renewing his administration. Already in October, he made a number of reshuffles in law enforcement agencies, replacing the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of National Security. In March 2008, Berdymukhammedov also replaced the Prosecutor General and the leadership of the Supreme Court, and in April, the leadership of the Central Bank.
At the same time, in the second half of 2007, on the initiative of Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan began to abandon a number of restrictions imposed during the reign of Niyazov. In December 2007, the ban on foreign periodicals was lifted, and in January 2008, on opera and the circus. On July 1, 2008, Turkmenistan returned to the Gregorian calendar, which was canceled by Niyazov back in 2002.
Berdymukhammedov's economic policy of that time was characterized by a desire to get closer to the West. Thus, according to some information, one of the topics of negotiations held by Berdimuhamedov in the United States with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to be the opening of the gas sector of Turkmenistan for American investors. In October 2007, Turkmenistan, together with Georgia, refused to sign the CIS Development Concept, which included, in particular, the formation of an "integrated economic and political association of interested states",. In November, it was reported that Berdymukhammedov supported the idea of building a Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, which would allow Europe to receive Turkmen gas bypassing Russia. Along with this, in December of the same year, a final agreement was reached between Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia on the start of construction of the Caspian gas pipeline, which should increase the volume of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia.
On April 18, 2008, Berdimuhamedov announced the creation of a special commission whose task was to create a new version of the Turkmen constitution. Her draft, published in July 2008, implied, in particular, the abolition of the highest body of state power - the People's Council, whose powers were divided between the president and parliament. On September 26, 2008, at the last meeting of the People's Council, a new version of the constitution was adopted, according to some experts, it significantly increased the powers of the president.
In October 2008, the Izvestiya newspaper reported on the published book "Teacher, Warrior, Citizen. Berdimuhamed Annaev's Life-Feat", dedicated to the story of Berdimuhamedov's paternal grandfather's life path. The genealogy of the head of state and the history of his ancestral village Yzgant were also given there. "It seems that the republic is smoothly entering the new era of Turkmenbashi-2," the article noted. In the same month, the World Karate Federation awarded President Berdymukhammedov with a 6th dan black belt "for his outstanding contribution to the development of the national sport." According to Turkmen television, the president of Turkmenistan received a black belt in karate in connection with the 17th anniversary of the country's independence.
In January 2009, Berdimuhamedov announced the need for new reforms related to "the creation of a new base of political, economic, social and cultural legislation",. Shortly thereafter, Berdimuhamedov reorganized the composition of the Turkmen government: Defense Minister Mamedgeldiyev, Deputy Prime Minister Hodzhamyrad Geldymyradov, who oversaw the economy, and Minister social security, Minister of Communications, Minister of Energy and Industry and a number of other senior officials , , , , , , , . At the same time, Berdimuhamedov approved the new military doctrine of Turkmenistan, which maintained its neutral status and provided for the gradual transition of the army to a contract basis and the modernization of weapons,,. Later, at the end of May 2009, Berdimuhamedov also replaced the Minister of Internal Affairs, and in July he removed another Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Railway Transport and the Minister of Education, who was in charge of the economy,.
In March 2009, Berdymukhamedov visited Moscow and held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Meanwhile, among the signed documents there was no agreement on the construction of the East-West gas pipeline, which was supposed to supply the Caspian gas pipeline under construction. Experts explained this by the fact that Turkmenistan continues to consider options for building gas pipelines to Europe bypassing Russia,. In July 2009, after Gazprom refused to buy the previously agreed volumes of Turkmen gas, Turkmenistan announced an increase in gas supplies to Iran and the construction of a new Turkmen-Iranian gas pipeline. In addition, Berdimuhamedov announced his country's readiness to participate in the Nabucco gas pipeline project, which was supposed to bypass Russia. In December of the same year, in the presence of Berdimuhamedov, as well as the leaders of China, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Hu Jintao, Nursultan Nazarbayev and Islam Karimov, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline was opened, which, according to experts, significantly reduced the economic dependence of the Central Asian republics on Russia. A week later, during Medvedev's visit to Turkmenistan, it was announced that gas supplies to Russia would be resumed from 2010 at a price in line with European gas market conditions.
Although Berdymukhammedov stopped practicing medicine, at the end of July 2009, during the opening of a new oncology center, timed to coincide with the day of health workers and the medical industry of Turkmenistan, the president personally performed an operation to remove a benign tumor. In the same month, Berdymukhammedov was elected an academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. In July 2010, Berdimuhamedov was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Economics "on the basis of the totality of fundamental scientific works".
On July 7, 2011, a series of explosions took place in the Turkmen city of Abadan. While the country's official media reported on the ignition of pyrotechnics intended for fireworks, which killed fifteen people, non-state sources claimed explosions at an ammunition depot, resulting in the deaths of almost fourteen hundred people. Berdimuhamedov himself indicated that "virtually a new city" would be built on the site of the old Abadan,,,.
In October 2011, during the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence, Berdymukhammedov was awarded the title of Hero of the country and the accompanying gold medal "Altyn Ai" ("golden month"). Noting the merits of the president, speakers at the Council of Elders called him "Arkadag" ("patron") - Berdimuhamedov has been called that regularly since 2010 and, as reported in the press, this could become his official title, like Niyazov's "Turkmenbashi",,.
In mid-December 2011, on the eve of the next presidential election, at a joint meeting of representatives of the Democratic Party and a number of public organizations, Berdimuhamedov was nominated as a candidate for the post of head of state. In the elections held on February 12, 2012, Berdimuhamedov was formally opposed by seven candidates, but according to the official results of the vote, the incumbent was re-elected for a second term: 97.14 percent of voters voted for him with a turnout of over 96 percent,. On February 17, 2012, Berdymukhammedov officially entered his second presidential term.
Berdimuhamedov is the author of two books published in 2007 - a collection of articles "Scientific foundations for the development of health care in Turkmenistan" and "Turkmenistan - a country of healthy and highly spiritual people" . In October 2008, Ashgabat hosted the presentation of another book by the Turkmen president, which was dedicated to horses and is called "Akhal-Teke - our pride and glory". In December of the same year, the first volume of Berdimuhamedov's selected works entitled "Towards New Heights of Progress" was published, in June 2009 - the second volume of the same publication. In July 2009, the first volume of Berdimuhamedov's fundamental work "Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan" was published in Turkmen, English and Russian versions, in June 2010 the second volume of this publication was published, in March 2012 it became known about the appearance of the third volume. In October 2011, the presentation of two more works by Berdimuhamedov took place - the book "Living Legend", dedicated to Turkmen carpet weaving, and the novel "A good name is imperishable", published in Turkmen and Russian, which described the life of "teacher and warrior" Berdimuhamed Annaev, the president's grandfather,.
In August 2010, Berdymukhammedov became president of the International Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding Association.
In June 2009, the Berdimuhamedov Museum opened in Ashgabat. In February 2011, the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, awarded Berdymukhammedov with the kingdom's highest award, the First Class Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
According to some reports, Berdymukhammedov was married twice: his first wife was a Turkmen, and the second was a Russian. He has one son, three daughters and four grandchildren.
Used materials
The third volume of the book "Medicinal Plants of Turkmenistan" has been published. - TURKMENinform, 05.03.2012
Anna Kurbanova. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was awarded the certificate of the head of state for the second time. - ITAR-TASS, 17.02.2012
Berdymukhammedov won. - Interfax, 13.02.2012
CEC: The President of Turkmenistan was re-elected for a second term with a result of 97.14%. - NEWSru.com, 13.02.2012
Public organizations nominated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as a candidate for the presidency of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.12.2011
The President of Turkmenistan was made a hero of the country. - Sight, 25.10.2011
Berdymukhammedov was awarded the title of Hero of Turkmenistan for the first time, Niyazov had six such awards. - Newspaper.Ru, 25.10.2011
Representatives of domestic science got acquainted with the new books of the head of state. - TURKMENinform, 24.10.2011
From the pen of the President of Turkmenistan came out a documentary novel. - Turkmenistan.ru, 24.10.2011
Marcus Bensmann. Turkmenischer Sommer. - Die Tageszeitung, 15.07.2011
Human rights activists: a secret tragedy near Ashgabat claimed 1382 lives, rockets hit a maternity hospital. - NEWSru.com, 14.07.2011
Human rights activists: 1382 people were killed in the explosion in Abadan. - BBC News, Russian Service, 14.07.2011
In Abadan, the consequences of explosions at a military arsenal are being eliminated. - IA Rosbalt, 09.07.2011
Extraordinary joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Security Council of Turkmenistan. - State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH), 07.07.2011
The King of Bahrain presented the President of Turkmenistan Berdimuhamedov with the highest order of his country. - ITAR-TASS, 09.02.2011
Zhasulan Kukzhekov. The second president of Turkmenistan was given the title "Arkadag". - Radio Azattyk, 31.01.2011
The International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding has been established. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.08.2010
The President of Turkmenistan was awarded the degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences. - Gundogar, 10.07.2010
Turkmenistan will resume gas supplies to Russia in January. - RIA News, 22.12.2009
Alexander Gabuev, Natalia Grib. The subject of multi-gas consumption. - Kommersant, 15.12.2009. - №234 (4289)
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was elected an academician of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.ru, 25.07.2009
The President of Turkmenistan operated on a patient. - Turkmenistan.ru, 22.07.2009
Mikhail Sergeev. Turkmenistan has found a replacement for Russia. - Independent newspaper, 14.07.2009
The President of Turkmenistan carried out high-profile resignations. - Moscow's comsomolets, 11.07.2009
The Minister of Education of Turkmenistan was dismissed for corruption in universities. - IA Trend, 04.07.2009
Museum of Berdymukhammedov opened in Ashgabat. - Gundogar, 30.06.2009
Anna Kurbanova. The second volume of selected works by President Berdimuhamedov has been published in Turkmenistan. - ITAR-TASS, 26.06.2009
Anna Kurbanova. On Police Day in Turkmenistan, the Minister of Internal Affairs was fired. - ITAR-TASS, 29.05.2009
The presidents of the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan tightened the pipes. - Kommersant, 26.03.2009. - №53 (4108)
Maria Tsvetkova, Denis Malkov. The pipe is on fire. - Vedomosti, 26.03.2009. - №53 (2323)
Vladimir Solovyov. Homeland Changer. - Kommersant, 23.01.2009. - №11(4066)
Victoria Panfilova. Turkmenistan is arming. - Independent newspaper, 23.01.2009
A new military doctrine of independent, permanently neutral Turkmenistan has been approved. - Turkmenistan.ru, 21.01.2009
The President of Turkmenistan approved a new military doctrine and replaced the Minister of Defense. - ITAR-TASS, 21.01.2009
The President of Turkmenistan replaced the Minister of Defense and the head of the border service. - Reuters, 21.01.2009
The President of Turkmenistan made a number of personnel appointments in state structures. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.01.2009
The President of Turkmenistan fired a number of leaders. - IA Trend, 16.01.2009
Tuvakmammad Dzhaparov has been appointed Deputy Chairman of the Government of Turkmenistan. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.01.2009
The President of Turkmenistan has replaced the head of the Ministry of Communications. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.01.2009
The Minister of Energy and Industry of Turkmenistan has been dismissed. - Turkmenistan.ru, 16.01.2009
