Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan mull co-op in energy sector
By Aynur Jafarova
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have mulled the development of cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
The discussions were held during Azerbaijani delegation's visit to Turkmenistan.
The Azerbaijani delegation headed by head of Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev, was received by Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
The sides exchanged views on the issues related to strengthening of friendship and cooperation between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as the further development of bilateral relations, including the cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
As part of the visit , Abdullayev was also received by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
Abdullayev conveyed greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the Turkmen leader.
Berdymukhamedov thanked President Aliyev for his greetings, and noted that the two countries enjoy friendly and fraternal relations.
The sides discussed prospects for the cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in the oil and gas sector.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, the two Caspian littoral countries with rich hydrocarbon reserves are interested in using alternative routes for delivering energy resources of the Caspian region to Europe.
The recent intensification of Turkmen oil transportation via Azerbaijan can be referred to as a brilliant example of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
The Azerbaijani State Customs Committee said the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $88.15 million in 2013. More than half of this volume fell to the import of Turkmen production to Azerbaijan. Its volume amounted to $48.3 million. The exports from Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan amounted to $39.85 million.