Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, June 9 /Trend H.Hasanov/
Now significant opportunities for an integrated pipeline infrastructure for the withdrawal of energy from Central Asia to China, South Asia and Middle East are created, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov said in Beijing at a meeting of the Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), local media reported on Saturday.
The Turkmen leader said the pipelines from Turkmenistan to China and Iran constructed in recent years confirms the success and viability of such plans. Another strategic project - Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India is in the stage of active implementation.
"I am convinced that the construction of an extensive, modern pipeline network of continental value - is the imperative of time. Implementation of these projects will give a powerful impetus to economic development in the region and beyond, will be the incentive for efficient activity on the part of foreign investors," Berdymukhamedov said.
"Turkmenistan is ready to hold constructive discussion and to develop joint plans in this direction. We are ready to provide our powerful resource potential, the benefits of geo-economic position, the experience of interaction with partners in the implementation of major energy projects for they implementation," the president said.
According to a British Petroleum (BP) report, Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world after Russia, Iran and Qatar for its natural gas reserves. At present, the country exports natural gas to China, Iran and Russia.
The extra pipeline to Russia (Caspian gas pipeline - through Kazakhstan), Europe (Trans-Caspian gas pipeline - Nabucco or as part of the AGRI-on the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan) and India (Trans-Afghan gas pipeline via Pakistan) are among the planned gas pipeline from Turkmenistan.
In accordance with the Development Programme of Oil and Gas Industry of Turkmenistan plans to increase annual natural gas production to 230 billion cubic meters until 2030, much of which will be intended for export.