Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan mull further energy cooperation
By Aynur Jafarova
Different aspects of cooperation in energy sector were high on the agenda of talks held between Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Head of Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev on September 22.
During the meeting the sides said Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan
are mutual-interested partners on international arena, making
concerted efforts in searches of solutions to actual problems,
including the special point - providing global energy security.
They had comprehensive exchange of views on boosting cooperation
between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in the field of energy-oil and
discussed how to further boost bilateral ties.
Speaking about the constructive role of Turkmenistan's strategy in creating a multivariate system of export pipelines, SOCAR head expressed "deep interest" of his country to establish economic ties, aimed at supporting stable economic development of all the Caspian region", local media reported.
The two sides also discussed the cooperation as part of the wide-scale projects in Turkmenistan, including oil and gas processing, as well as fuel and lubricants production fields.
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, the two Caspian littoral countries with rich hydrocarbon reserves are interested in using alternative routes for delivering energy resources for the Caspian region to Europe.
Both of Caspian countries pay special attention to development of energy sector. The two countries having colossal resources and economical potential are willing to continue developing traditional cooperation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
The recent intensification of Turkmen oil transportation via Azerbaijan can be cited 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.