Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec. 5
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has instructed to prepare documents for making an appeal to the international court of arbitration, the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary state news agency reported.
Iran's huge debt for Turkmen natural gas previously supplied to Iran in accordance with bilateral agreements and a contract with the National Iranian Gas Company is expected to be discussed during the trial.
Chairman of the Turkmengas state concern Myrat Archayev delivered a report to President Berdimuhamedov.
"During the meetings and negotiations with Iran’s representatives, the consensus on the problem was not achieved. Iranian partners offer to appeal to the international arbitration court to find a mutually acceptable and objective solution to this problem," said the message.
After listening to Archayev’s arguments, President Berdimuhamedov instructed to support the National Iranian Gas Company’s proposal to appeal to the international arbitration court and prepare the relevant documents for the forthcoming trial," TDH reported.
Turkmenistan was forced to limit its natural gas supply to Iran because of its debts since January 1, 2017. National Iranian Gas Company has not taken necessary efforts to pay off its debt for the previously supplied Turkmen natural gas since 2013, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said.
The Turkmen side officially notified the Iranian side about the possible restriction of Turkmen natural gas supply in 2016.
According to the Iranian Press TV channel, Ashgabat demanded Tehran to pay a $1.8 billion-debt for gas supply in 2007-2008.