Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov

Turkmenistan's leader on Tuesday hailed as "historic" the announcement that its traditional hand-woven carpets have been recognised as global cultural heritage by the United Nations.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said it was "evidence of world recognition of our marvellous carpets" and will help promote them abroad.

Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the only son of Turkmenistan's longtime president has become a senior lawmaker.

The government daily Neutral Turkmenistan reported on March 21 that Serdar Berdymukhamedov has become the chairman of the parliament's legal affairs committee. 

He previously had served as head of the Foreign Ministry's information department.

Turkmenistan's reigning strongman Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov bagged a new seven-year term with nearly 98 percent of a weakly contested vote, electoral officials said on Feb. 13, following a preliminary count.

Some nine candidates will be on the ballot for a presidential poll in reclusive Turkmenistan on Feb. 12, but only one - incumbent president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov - stands a chance of winning.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's Democratic Party has nominated him as a candidate in the February 2017 election, the state news agency reported late on Dec. 14. He is widely expected to secure a third term in office. 

Turkmenistan on Feb. 15 formally launched a "public discussion" over constitutional changes to extend the president's term and drop the age limit for candidates.

State media in the energy-rich ex-Soviet state on Feb. 15 backed moves to boost presidential terms from five to seven years and scrap the 70-year age limit for candidates.

Energy-rich Turkmenistan's leader has ordered the start of construction on a pipeline carrying gas from the former Soviet state to India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the government said Nov. 7.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov will meet with Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Ashgabat on Tuesday.

The two are to discuss the diversification of bilateral commercial and economic partnership, increasing the trade volume, creating transport-transit corridors, and cooperation in tourism.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a visit to Turkmenistan on July 11 backed stronger energy ties with the gas-rich ex-Soviet state.

The speaker of ex-Soviet Turkmenistan's pliant parliament has proposed constitutional changes extending the presidential term limit and removing the maximum age for the presidency, state media reported May 29.