Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov. 16 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmenistan and China agree on the issue of ensuring stable and secure energy supplies to world markets, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said today following a meeting at the ministry.
A Chinese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping also held discussions with the top managers of the Turkmen fuel and energy complex.
"The parties praised the current level of bilateral relations characterized by equality, mutual respect and understanding in terms of our priorities of bilateral cooperation and trends of global development," the ministry reported.
Turkmenistan and China are linked with a single gas transmission system commissioned in 2009 passing through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It will be possible to transport up to 40 billion cubic meters of gas per year when the pipeline is launched at full capacity. Currently, negotiations are underway to construct a second line to increase the supply capacity.
China's CNPC is developing natural gas resources on the right bank of the Amu Darya in the Lebap region of Turkmenistan. The company is implementing the project on service terms during the first stage of development of the South Yoloten Osman Field in the Mary region. Negotiations are underway for a large loan to continue work on Yoloten.
The ministry reported that the current negotiations have noted the considerable potential for further intensifying cooperation in the energy sector, including through joint projects. Energy, transport, communications and the textile industry are considered as priority areas.