Turkmenistan ready to supply gas to EU - president
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed the readiness of Turkmenistan to expand the geography of gas deliveries, including the European market.
The President of Turkmenistan arrived in Italy on an official visit on November 6, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported.
During the Turkmen-Italian top-level talks, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized the commitment of Turkmenistan to meaningful dialogue on energy cooperation.
As noted, Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world in explored reserves of natural gas. Gas is supplied to the eastern and northern directions, a gas pipeline is being constructed from Turkmenistan through the territory of Afghanistan and Pakistan to India (TAPI).
The energy dialogue has been established between Turkmenistan and the EU several years ago; several rounds of negotiations took place in the form of a special working group at the level of heads of relevant departments of the parties.
In this regard, the parties stressed the importance to update the negotiation process. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlined Turkmenistan considered Italy as one of the key partners in Europe and expected close cooperation in this area.
Speaking about the partnership in the oil sector, Berdimuhamedov focused on the prospects of cooperation with large Italian companies working in this sector.
The talks between Berdimuhamedov and President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, as well as Prime-Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte took place on November 7. The parties discussed priority aspects of bilateral relations during the top-level talks.
The visit testifies to the enhancement of the Turkmen-Italian dialogue, the dynamics of which proves the commitment of the two states to full-scale cooperation.
As is known, one of the key vectors of the foreign-policy strategy of Turkmenistan is European sphere. In this regard, it should be noted the interest of European partners in developing efficient cooperation with Turkmenistan at the interstate level as well as in frames of Turkmenistan-EU dialogue.
Today, businessmen of the two countries has accumulated positive experience in implementing joint investment projects in the oil and gas sector, construction, textile industry and other areas. That is vividly proved by the long-term fruitful cooperation with the world-famous Italian company ENI, which has successfully operated on the Turkmen market since 2008, developing hydrocarbon resources on the Nebitdag contractual territory under the Production Sharing Agreement. Large industrial and infrastructural facilities in Turkmenistan are supplied with the most-advanced Italian equipment.
Speaking during a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on November 1, the President of Turkmenistan underlined that wide opportunities for the diversification of the Turkmen-Italian cooperation had opened up today.
The impressive economic and resource potential of our country, the innovative vector of development, large-scale reformatory programmes and infrastructure projects, and the favorable investment climate created in the Turkmen market open up wide opportunities for enhancing cooperation.
Turkmenistan and Italy successfully interact on the international arena, supporting the constructive initiatives and proposals, initiated by our countries in frames of the United Nations Organization and other authoritative international structures. Our countries have close positions on such key topics as strengthening peace and security, transport and energy diplomacy, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Turkmenistan and Italy pay particular attention to humanitarian cooperation, in particular in the fields of education and science, tourism and sports is seen as promising.
During the upcoming high-level talks in Rome, it is planned to sign a package of bilateral documents, aimed at strengthening the legal framework of bilateral partnership.
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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94
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