Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 30
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
Turkmenistan and the EU will hold the talks on the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline construction project from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan by late 2013 or early 2014, a source close to the negotiations told Trend today.
European Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger plans to visit Ashagbat.
"Initially, the matter rests in the environmental impact assessment by independent international experts," the source said.
The Turkmen leadership has repeatedly stated its readiness to conduct the environmental impact assessment by attracting the international specialists. As it is known, while opposing the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project, Russia and Iran raise the issue of environmental safety of the pipeline.
The Trans-Caspian pipeline could be a part of several large-scale projects, including AGRI and TANAP. Ankara and Baku are the active participants there.
Turkmenistan ranks fourth in terms of the natural gas reserves in the world. At present, it is exporting this fuel to the markets of China, CIS and Iran. The variants of laying the gas pipelines from Turkmenistan to the markets of South Asia and Europe are being examined.
Turkmen Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Muhamentnur Halylov said at the recent Turkmenistan's Oil and Gas Conference in Ashgabat that his country plans to supply to more countries in the foreseeable future.
"There are all favorable conditions for this and above all a sufficient resource base with proven hydrocarbon reserves, assessed by our specialists and confirmed by international auditors," the minister said.
The EU representatives also expressed confidence at this conference that at this stage, the favorable conditions were created for concluding an agreement on the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline.