DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus – President Emomali Rahmonov heads the Tajik delegation at the inauguration of new Turkmen president that was held in Ashgabat today morning.
A source at president’s executive office said that Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zaripov, State Adviser to the Tajik President for International Affairs Erkin Rahmatulloyev, Energy and transport Minster Sherali Gulov and other officials are accompanying Rahmonov on his trip to Ashgabat.
Acting Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was sworn in as new president at a session of Turkmenistan”s supreme state body, the People”s Council of Turkmenistan.
According to the Turkmen Constitution, the president of the country also acts as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the prime minister.
Media quoted Turkmenistan’s central electoral commission as saying that Mr. Berdymukhammedov won an overwhelming 89% of the vote in Sunday”s poll.
Representatives of 17 states and international organizations, including Russia”s Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher, attended the inauguration of the new Turkmen president.
Turkmenistan held its first alternative presidential election Sunday to replace the late autocratic President Saparmurat Niyazov. Six candidates ran for the presidency, but acting president Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was the favorite to win the poll.
