Ashgabat, Beijing discuss energy and transport projects
By Trend
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has welcomed China’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Sun Weidong, Turkmen government said in a message.
In recent years the parties have successfully implemented significant joint projects, including construction of Eurasia’s longest Turkmenistan-China pipeline.
This transnational gas pipeline, having become a modern embodiment of the Silk Road which used to link people of the continent in ancient times, has immense geopolitical and social importance, the diplomat stated.
“It was also noted that implementation of this ambitious project today is a key factor of energy security in Asia that gives an additional powerful impetus to the development of continental economic relations,” read the message.
The ambassador noted the relevance of the proposals on energy security and ensuring of reliable and stable transit of energy resources to world markets, put forward by Ashgabat.
The role of the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway link, which was used for the first test run of a container train in early 2016, was also observed in the course of the meeting.
China’s ambassador noted the significance of the project on construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railroad, which will then be extended to China.
“The Chinese party completely supports this important initiative of the Turkmen leader and is ready to take an active part in its realization,” the diplomat said.
The sides named the fuel and energy sector, the spheres of trade, economy and construction, as well as the agricultural sector the key areas of partnership.
China is one of the largest foreign trade partners of Turkmenistan. Beijing expects to increase annual purchases of Turkmen gas up to 65 billion cubic meters. The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) buys gas from the Central Asia region since 2009.
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