Order "Motherland".

[CtahhR]

A news report from 29th June 2007.

As the Turkmen State News Agency (TDH) reports, the 14th session of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan of the third convocation was held in Ashgabat today. A number of normative and legal documents were passed at the session. The members of parliament discussed the draft law "On the establishment of the Watan order of Turkmenistan" and a draft resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan "On awarding Turkmen President Gurbanguly Myalykgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov the Watan order of Turkmenistan".

The parliament members listened to the report of the chairwoman the national parliament, Akja Nurberdiyeva, who read the major provisions of the draft law of Turkmenistan "On the establishment of the Watan order of Turkmenistan". She noted the high status of the new state decoration which under the law is awarded exceptionally to the Turkmen president for outstanding achievements in domestic and foreign policies.

In accordance with the law, the head of state, who is awarded the Watan order of Turkmenistan, is paid a lump sum bonus of US $ 20 000 from the state budget and a 30% monthly income-tax-free increase to official salary and pension from the state budget. The Watan order of Turkmenistan can be awarded to the president of Turkmenistan only once during his tenure.

"The order has the form of chain. It is made of yellow and white gold of 750 standard and consists of 22 units in the form of octagonal stars encrusted with diamonds. The main part of stars, which are 40 mm in diameter, is covered with glassy enamel. There are pictures of olive branches with the picture of Independence Monument, Turkmenbashi Palace and Neutrality Arch above them on the three central octagonal stars against the background of green enamel. The remaining part of the chain consists of 10 units (5 on each side) covered with vinous-red enamel with the picture of five national Turkmen gels and 9 units covered with green enamel with the picture of olive branches and octagonal stars.

The octagonal pendant connected to the chain is 80 mm in diameter and covered with green enamel encrusted with diamonds with a glyph of golden Turkmen president's color (flag) encrusted with diamonds in its center against the background of enamel. The total weight of the order is 925 gram with diamonds totaling 55 carats," the official statement describes the order.

During the discussion of the draft resolution of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan "On awarding Turkmen President Gurbanguly Myalykgulyyevich Berdimuhamedov the Watan order of Turkmenistan" deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, minister of foreign affairs Rashid Meredov as well as members of parliament representing electorate of all five provinces took the floor.

Supporting the decision of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan on awarding President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov the Watan order, the members of parliament stressed special merits of the head of state before the Fatherland, his personal contribution to political, economic and cultural development of the country, maintaining stability and unity in the Turkmen society, development of democracy, strengthening legislature and law and order.