President: Turkmenistan has long-term and strategic relations with China

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.22 / Trend, H. Hasanov /

Today, relations between Turkmenistan and China are long-term and strategic, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov said in an interview with the Chinese media outlets.

On Tuesday, the interview was published in local media.

"These relations stood the test of time, proven their efficiency and now are a major factor of stability and development in the Eurasian space," Turkmen president said.

He said one of the priorities of international cooperation is fuel and energy cooperation.

In December 2009 Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline - the longest on the continent was commissioned.

"This is an outstanding event. This project is of strategic importance for both sides, meets long-term interests of Turkmenistan and China, as well as logic of global economic development, in which energy supplies play an increasing role," Berdimuhammadov said.

He said the implementation of Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline projects is "an example of a genuine partnership based on equality, awareness of mutual benefits, large-scale vision of opportunities and possibilities opened with beginning of practical implementation of this project".

President Berdimuhammadov, who will pay official visit to China on Nov.22-25, stressed that Turkmenistan jointly with Chinese partners is working on further increase in the supply of Turkmen gas to China in view of increasing demands in China's economy and great opportunities of Turkmenistan's resource base.

"China is not just a huge and great country, a powerful global economic and industrial center, a vast and promising market for Turkmenistan. It is a reliable and trusted friend," Berdimuhammadov said.