ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Jan. 15
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
The EU fully supports Turkmenistan's policy of diversifying gas export markets, EU Charge d'Affaires Lubomir Frebort said at an international forum in Ashgabat, Trend reports with reference to the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.
The construction of the strategic Trans-Caspian gas pipeline and the import of Turkmen gas remains an important part of the EU energy security strategy and the new European Commission recently included it in the updated list of priority energy projects, Frebort said.
The EU Charge d'Affaires noted that interested parties stepped up bilateral and multilateral energy dialogue in 2019 and are ready to continue it.
It was also noted that a symposium was planned to be held in Ashgabat in the first quarter of 2020 to discuss the road map for implementing this strategy in Turkmenistan.
The new instrument of the European Commission for neighborhood and development will allow the EU to propose new bilateral programs of cooperation with Turkmenistan, the EU representative noted.
Frebort expressed confidence that 2020 will provide an opportunity for the thorough preparation for the meeting of the EU and Turkmenistan leadership.
An increase in the level of EU-Turkmenistan relations, allows the EU to gradually expand the political and economic sectors of joint actions in strategic areas such as security, energy, climate change, the environment, economic diversification and private sector development, the rule of law, human rights and others, Frebort added.
With regard to peace and security, including water security, the EU recognizes Turkmenistan’s continued contribution to the stabilization and development of Afghanistan, and this is one of the EU’s key security priorities, Frebort said.
Turkmenistan is exploring the possibility of bringing its energy resources to the European market, including through the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project within the Southern Gas Corridor being promoted by the EU.