Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.18/ Trend, H.Hasanov /
Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov received German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Ashgabat, Turkmen government said on Friday.
"The Minister expressed support for the Turkmen state's position which purposefully pursues a policy of diversification of energy resources export to the world markets," the report says.
Mr. Westerwelle also appreciated Ashgabat's international initiatives, including ensuring security of energy transit.
In turn, President Berdimuhammadov stressed: "Turkmenistan's special interest is in cooperation with major European firms, including German companies because of their great scientific and industrial potential, as well as very responsible attitude to partnership obligations."
Cooperation with one of the leading traders of natural gas on the EU market, RWE in the development of offshore fields in the Turkmen sector of Caspian Sea and transportation of the gas to Europe was cited as an example.
In April 2009 the Turkmen government signed a long-term memorandum with this company which is a shareholder of the Nabucco gas pipeline project.
Turkmen resources can be connected to this transnational communication through the Caspian Sea, thanks to the construction of a small branch stretching 300 km through the sea bed to Azerbaijan's coast.
Through the Caspian resources, Europe hopes for diversification of gas supply sources, much of which is provided by Russia at this moment.