Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov. 19 / Trend H.Hasanov /
The changing global energy picture yields new possibilities and opportunities for Turkmenistan and other countries in the region, Deputy Assistant Secretary of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department Susan Elliott said at the International Exhibition "Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan-2010".
"Central Asia is a region which is becoming an increasingly important supplier, not only of raw hydrocarbons, but also of petrochemicals and similar products," she said. "I believe that Turkmenistan's strategic location and abundant natural resources have the great potential to increase future global economic growth and development."
Elliott said access to natural gas will become an environmental, economic and strategic priority for many countries in this region in the coming years. "Natural gas has a bright future in the economic growth and development of the current generation, and in the kind of environment we leave for future generations," she added.
Elliot also stressed that due to the strategic importance of natural gas, both now and in the future, "it is not surprising that countries like Turkmenistan seek to expand their exports, in the course of which they also spread the benefits of their significant natural resources throughout the broader region."
Since 2009, Turkmenistan has managed to enter the alternative routes bypassing Russia. The country has commissioned a gas pipeline to China and an additional branch to Iran. It also restored exports to Russia in early 2010, which had ceased in April 2009 due to an accident.
According to BP's report, Turkmenistan ranked fourth worldwide after Russia, Iran and Qatar in terms of natural gas reserves in 2009.