Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 22 / Trend , G.Hasanov/
The scheduled meeting between Turkmen President and Turkish President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov and Abdullah Gul can accelerate the Nabucco gas pipeline project with which Ankara connects strengthening its position on the European energy resources market.
Turkmenistan as one of key suppliers in the Caspian region has exported majority of natural gas to Russian until recently. However, deliveries were temporarily stopped after the accident at one sections of the Central Asia-Centre main gas pipeline on April 9.
According to an official source, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received an invitation from the Turkmen authorities to pay official visit to Turkmenistan in any suitable time. Terms of the visit will be specified by diplomatic channels.
The invitation was made during the visit of Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz who attended the work of the intergovernmental commission. Berdimuhammedov calls Turkey as "one of leading partners" and goods turnover between the two countries is increasing year by year.
Turkey is a key importer of the Turkmen power whose transit is provided by Iran. The sources close to the negotiations say that Tehran actively offers to implement the project on construction of the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Iran. At the same time, Iran's isolation from the international community removes this perspective, experts believe.
At this stage, the Nabucco project supported by the European Union and United States is a key object of the European energy strategy which aims to cut Europe's energy dependence on Russia. The Nabucco gas pipeline whose construction has not yet begun will transport natural gas from the Azerbaijani and Central Asian fields via Turkey to Austria through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.
In the history of interaction of Ankara and Ashgabat, earlier, efforts also have been made to deliver the Turkmen gas to the European borders. In May 1999, the state concern Turkmenneftegaz and Turkish Botas corporation signed the agreement to sell 16 billion cubic meters of the Turkmen gas per year to Turkey and transit 14 billion cubic meters to Europe. The contract was a long term - for 30 years.
The U.S. PSG in the composition of Bechtel Enterprises и General Electric Capital & Construction Finance Group was the operator of the Transcaspian project at that time. The U.S. Eximbank and Overseas Private Investment Corporation - OPIC rendered a financial support. But, after the discovery of natural gas reserves in Shah Deniz in Azerbaijan, the project came to nothing because of the official Ashgabat's disagreement to give half-pipe for the Azerbaijani gas. The Turkmen government has not also agreed with the package of preliminary financing offered by the consortium.
"The Turkmen and Turkish nations share common historical and spiritual roots, cultural traditions, which constitute the solid foundation of interstate dialogue," the Altyn Asyr TV quoted Berdymuhamedov's words. The Turkmen leader said the Turkish partners are contributing to the development of various branches of the local economy. The meeting with Turkish Minister Taner Yıldız focused on expanding cooperation in fuel and energy sector, trade, transport infrastructure, communications, construction, textile industry, and tourism industry.
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