PM: Great Britain hopes for close energy cooperation with Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Jan. 13 / Trend H. Hasanov /

Great Britain hopes for close cooperation with Turkmenistan in the energy sector, British Prime Minister David Cameron's letter addressed to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.

"We look forward to the second meeting of the Turkmen-British Trade and Industry Council, to be held in January," the letter published in local media said. "I hope that we will continue to seek opportunities for closer cooperation in the field of energy."

Cameron said that at this stage, the sides achieved considerable progress in intensifying the negotiations on areas of mutual cooperation.

"Our trade relations more strengthen," the letter said. "I thank the Turkmen government for its support and assistance in this area."

Cameron said that there are great prospects for closer cooperation on Afghanistan's problems. "I welcome Turkmenistan's role, including the very valuable humanitarian aid and promotion the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project (TAPI)," he said.

The United Kingdom is ready to assist Turkmenistan in the area of reforms, including the reforms in the sphere of legislation and development of the media.

London and Ashgabat called the fuel and energy sector, trade- economic and banking sector, construction, development of transport and communication infrastructure, new technologies and tourism are the priority areas of cooperation.

Today, such British companies as Dragon Oil, Burren Energy, Gaffney, Cline & Associates, De La Rue are represented on the Turkmen market. British Petroleum, Shell, Rolls-Royce, WYG International, Worley Parsons, BSP International Foundation Ltd., JCB, Vitol and other companies study their opportunities in Turkmenistan.

Official London considers Turkmenistan, having the world's natural gas reserves, as one of the key players in international energy market.