Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Dec. 19 / Trend , E.Hasanov/ "Turkmenistan can export natural gas to Bulgaria," Bulgarian President Georgi Pirvanov, who visited Ashgabat for the first time, said after a meeting with Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov on Dec. 19, a source close to the negotiations said.
Sofia requested to get 2bln cu.m of Turkmen natural gas, he said.
The source quoted Pirvanova's speech that Ashgabat expressed its readiness to deliver 2bln cu.m of gas to Bulgaria via existing gas network by establishment of Nabucco. The Bulgarian President did not specify existing gas network: he means either acting gas transport main Central Asia-Centre, supervised by Gazprom OJSC during Soviet period, or substation scheme.
Turkmenistan delivers small amount of fuel to Iran, bordering with Turkey.
Officials Ashgabat always stressed that it guarantees delivery of Turkmen crude base exceptionally within its borders and further transit schemes should be solved amongst owners of communication.
On Dec. 19, the Turkmen and Bulgarian governments signed three documents, including Memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation in energy field, Agreement on economic cooperation and Agreement on cooperation between trade and industrial chambers.
Scale intergovernmental project Nabucco targets to cut dominance of Russian Gazprom at the European market. In accordance with feasibility study, besides Egypt, Iraq and other countries, hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian Sea, where Turkmenistan is one of key exporters of natural fuel, will be used as crude base.
A joint business forum will take place in the Turkmen capital in the second half on Dec. 19. It was decided to establish intergovernmental commission for further partnership in both in fields of energy, as well as transport, construction, transport, communication and tourism.
According to the Turkmen President, the country pursues policy to diversify economy and pays special attention to develop refinery field in Fuel and Energy Complex, which requires considerable foreign investment. Moreover, Berdimuhammadov regarded important that Sofia supported and became co-author on the Convention on providing security of international pipelines, initiated by Ashgabat at the United Nations (UN). Turkmenistan is interested in participation of the Bulgarian companies in development of the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea, the source said.
Bulgarian partners have got an invitation to participate in construction of railway corridor North-South. In 2007, branches were constructed from Bereket (Turkmenistan) to Iran with Ashgabat's efforts, which will enable to shorten a way from Russia and Kazakhstan to Europe and to the Persian Gulf countries.
Turkmenistan and Bulgaria will exchange deliveries of industrial and agricultural production targeting to expand relations in fields of culture and education in 2009 and 2010.
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