Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, March 11 / Trend H. Hasanov /
The further intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan and Switzerland is in the agenda of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Turkmenistan Alain Guidetti's working visit to Ashgabat.
The diplomat is a non-resident ambassador. He delivered his credentials in Ashgabat in April 2008. The press service of the Turkmen government said that during this visit he met with some officials in the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Economy and Development.
About 29 Swiss firms and companies, including the largest manufacturers and suppliers of textile equipment and chemical products have become Turkmenistan's partners since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over ten projects with Swiss capital are realized here. They are mainly related to services in the energy industry, supply of electrical equipment and trade ties.
The Swiss National Bank shows interest in cooperation with Turkmenistan. The delegation was headed by chairman Jean-Pierre Roth in May 2009.
Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey has recently arrived in Ashgabat as part of her tour via Central Asia. She raised questions about power engineering.
Meeting with senior officials from Geneva, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov said that the Turkmen side is interested in implementing new projects designed to put an enormous hydrocarbon potential of the country at the service of mankind. He reiterated the adherence of the country to diversify export routes for the delivery of its energy resources to the world markets.
Turkmenistan supplies natural gas to Russia, China and Iran. The agenda includes Turkmenistan's joining the Nabucco project. Europe envisages the diversity of energy sources with its realization.