Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 12 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Qatar and Turkmenistan, which are among the largest world exporters of natural gas, plan to establish an intergovernmental working group on energy issues, the Turkmen governmental press service reported on Tuesday.
Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov, who is on an official visit to Doha from Oct.11 to Oct.12, voiced this initiative during his meetings with the country's leadership.
This idea has received the full support of the Qatari side, the report said.
During his visit, Berdimuhammedov received Qatari Energy and Industry Minister Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Atiyyah. The sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in oil and gas sector - strategic sector for the economies of both countries.
According to BP Company, in 2009 Turkmenistan ranked the fourth in the world for the natural gas reserves (after Russia, Iran and Qatar).
The sides discussed cooperation possibilities, first, taking into account the program on long-term development of fuel and energy complex implemented in Turkmenistan, the main factors of which are upgrading industrial infrastructure through the introduction of advanced technologies and the principle of diversification of energy export routes to world markets.
"Qatar supports Turkmenistan's constructive approach to establishing a mutually beneficial partnership in the global energy space," Al-Attiyah said noting the importance of initiatives related to the formation of an international mechanism for a stable supply of energy, which were voiced by Berdimuhammedov at the 65th session of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Attiyah also noted "about the high interest of Qatar, like other states of the Arab world, in establishing long-term cooperation with Turkmenistan," adding that Turkmenistan has created a favorable investment climate and conditions for fruitful economic cooperation.
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