Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, May 26
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met in Ashgabat with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement May 26.
The parties discussed key issues of mutual interest, including the further development of relations between Turkmenistan and the European Union.
During the negotiations, the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia was discussed.
The sides stressed the importance of regular political consultations, business meetings and negotiations, which contribute to formation of a reliable platform for further intensification of multifaceted relations between Turkmenistan and its European partners, the message said.
The parties expressed support for a peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, and stressed the importance of further cooperation in the EU+CA Security Dialogue with the participation of Afghanistan.
The EU delegation was also received in the parliament of Turkmenistan. Burian expressed the desire of Europe to expand and deepen cooperation with Turkmenistan.
The European Union and Turkmenistan are committed to the implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline project designed to bring Turkmen hydrocarbon energy resources to European markets.
Negotiations on the delivery of Turkmen gas to Europe have been underway since 2011. The Southern Gas Corridor, including the Trans-Caspian project, remains a priority for the EU.
The project to lay a 300-kilometer gas pipeline along the Caspian Sea bottom to the shores of Azerbaijan, as previously noted by the interested parties, is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen resources to the European market. Further, Turkmen gas can get into Turkey, which borders European countries.