Turkmenistan eyes possibilities of joining WTO

By Laman Ismayilova

Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredow has held a series of meetings with heads of international organizations, including director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Roberto Azevedo during his Geneva visit, the Turkmen government reported.

During the meetings, a special attention was paid to implementation of initiatives of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov aimed at strengthening global energy security, environmental protection, development of international transport infrastructure, regional trade, as well as addressing water problems.

The EU proposed Turkmenistan to join WTO in January 2011. The move is expected to increase Turkmenistan's share in regional and global trade and have a positive impact on economic development, which is necessary for long-term prosperity and well-being of the country.

Brussels announced that it is ready to help Ashgabat in joining the WTO, as it optimizes attracting foreign capital and facilitates creating new jobs.

Fuel-energy complex, high-technological industrial spheres, transport, communications, banking and financial sector are among the promising areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU.

At present, Ashgabat is negotiating with the EU and Azerbaijan on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline construction project.

Brussels hopes to diversify the sources of gas consumption through Caspian resources, most of which is ensured by Russia.

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