Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Feb. 24 /Trend New, E. Hasanov/
The global economic crisis forced the Czech Republic to postpone opening a diplomatic mission in Turkmenistan. The Czech Republic is interested in receiving Central Asia gas, the Czech media reported.
The Prague Daily Monitor quoted Czech Foreign Ministry officials as saying that the state budget lacks the resources to open new diplomatic missions, specifically in Ashgabat.
The Czech Foreign Ministry has closed several diplomatic missions including four consulates and three embassies to save funds on the backdrop of the crisis.
Talks on opening the Czech Embassy in Ashgabat began during Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's visit to Ashgabat in mid-February. The Czech Republic invited Turkmen President Gurbanguli Berdimuhammedov to participate in the Nabucco summit to be held in Prague in May. The summit aims to provide Central Asian gas to Europe.
Topolanek will visit Ashgabat again in April to attend a conference on international pipeline security to be held under the auspices of the UN.
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