Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, July 23
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
"Turkmenistan and Slovenia are ready to cooperate in ensuring the global energy security," Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said after the negotiations with his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor.
"Currently, it is very important to ensure the global energy security. Turkmenistan and Slovenia hold similar positions on this issue," a message from the Turkmen government said.
Berdimuhamedov underscored that his country regards Slovenia as a prospective partner.
"The head of state reaffirmed the readiness to start the talks on the possible cooperation in this field in bilateral format, as well as under the long-term agreements between Turkmenistan and Europe on the energy sphere," the governmental message said.
Borut Pahor, for his part, expressed confidence that this meeting will contribute to further strengthening of the traditionally friendly interstate relations.
Slovenia was one of the supporters of the resolution of the UN General Assembly on 'Reliable and stable transit of energy and its role in sustainable development and international cooperation' initiated by Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world for natural gas reserves and is looking for new markets in Europe and South Asia. The project envisaging the laying of around 300 kilometers long gas pipeline under the Caspian to the shores of Azerbaijan is regarded as the optimal option for delivering Turkmen resources to European markets. Further, the Turkmen fuel can be delivered to Turkey which borders with European countries.
The negotiations between the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline began in September 2011.
Edited by CN