Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The projects on the further development of Turkmenistan's fuel and energy complex and diversification of export routes of the Turkmen gas were high on the agenda of talks held in Turkey's capital Ankara between Turkmenistan and Turkey on June 3.

The high-level negotiations were held as part of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov's official visit to Turkey, local Turkmen media said on June 3.

The president's visit which started on June 3 will last till June 5.

The visit and talks point to the most favorable prospects for further dynamic development of the mutually beneficial partnership between Turkmenistan and Turkey. The partnership has already led to expanded ties in all key spheres, primarily, in trade, economic, fuel and energy, transport and communications fields.

The visit program of the Turkmen president also envisages participation at the upcoming fourth Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking States in Bodrum, to which Berdymukhamedov has been invited as a guest of honor.

Turkey is among the largest trade and economic partners of Turkmenistan. At present, more than 600 Turkish companies are working in various fields like energy, oil and gas, construction, transport and communication, textile and agriculture sectors. They are in close contacts with their Turkmen counterparts.

Turkey ranks fourth in the total trade turnover of Turkmenistan. The volume of trade turnover between Turkey and Turkmenistan amounted to $3.5 billion in 2012.

Turkish companies have accomplished over 1,270 projects in Turkmenistan including road constructions and building of bridges, resorts, universities and plants. The volume of projects carried out by Turkish companies has reached $35 billion. There are about 600 Turkish companies registered in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan is one of the key players in the energy market of the resource-rich Caspian region. The Central Asian state has the world's fourth largest natural gas reserves after Russia, Iran, and Qatar, and produces about 70-80 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

As part of its energy strategy, Turkmenistan plans to increase the production volume and export of natural gas, and diversify the routes of supply to major world markets.

Given the ever-increasing potential of the two countries, as well as the areas of mutual interest, the Turkmen fuel can be sent to Turkey which has a common border with European countries.