Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 12
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
Iran has proposed Turkmenistan to study the possibility of transiting gas to other countries through its territory, said the message from Turkmen government on Mar.12.
"Our countries are among the largest oil and gas producers and the partnership in this sphere will be significantly expanded in the future," the message quoted Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as saying during his state visit to Ashgabat on Mar.10-11.
Rouhani said that the issue of increasing the volume of Turkmen gas export to Iran was discussed during his visit, adding that Iran is interested in cooperating in the sphere of energy, as well as electricity supply from Turkmenistan.
Furthermore, Turkmenistan-Iran business forum was held in Ashgabat with participation of presidents of the two countries, Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported on Mar.12.
The message quoted the Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as saying at the business forum that the country is pursuing large-scale work to diversify the exports of its energy resources to world markets.
Bringing specific examples, Berdimuhamedov said that the second branch of the gas pipeline for the Turkmen natural gas supplies to Iran and three international gas pipelines to China have been built in recent years.
"Currently, preparation is underway for the construction of the fourth branch of this gas pipeline," he said.
He added that it is projected to realize such major projects of regional and international importance as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline.
The president also invited the companies and financial structures of Iran to take part in these projects' realization.
Turkmenistan holds a key position in the region in terms of natural gas supplies. Aside from Iran, Turkmenistan's gas is imported by Russia and China.
Turkmenistan's authorities believe that in the energy supply issues, it is needed to move to the era of "global energy security" under the auspices of the UN, which should adopt a special convention on the security of international pipelines.