Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Jan. 2 / Trend H. Hasanov /
Despite crisis in the global economy, Turkmenistan has implemented a number of important investment projects in the field of hydrocarbon exploration and production and strengthened the material-technical base of the fuel-energy complex, the Turkmen President said at the last governmental meeting.
By late 2009 Turkmenistan managed to open a new route to China, to resume gas supplies to Russia and to build an additional pipeline to Iran. Official Ashgabat expressed a desire to supply Europe with Turkmen gas through the Nabucco project. A pipeline should be built through the Caspian seabed to Azerbaijan. Finally, it is planned to begin industrial development of a large deposit of South Yoloten.
Berdimuhammedow called the recently opened a highly promising route for natural gas export to China and in general a significant expansion of the international cooperation in the energy sphere as the achievements. "Turkmenistan concluded memorandums on understanding in this area with the leading countries of Europe and Asia in 2009.
"All this strengthened the position of Turkmenistan as a world energy power," the Turkmen President said.
He stressed importance of the recently signed contracts on the industrial field development of Southern Iolotan worth about $10 billion.
Berdimuhammedow expressed confidence that the realization of this project will be significant not only for further strengthening the resource base of domestic fuel and energy complex. It will also serve as a powerful impetus for implementation of new international investment projects.