Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhamedov at a special meeting, has recently outlined the works on the project of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline as being among the important ones.
The report of the State Agency for Management and Use of Hydrocarbon Resources under the President of Turkmenistan on ongoing systematic and effective work within the framework of the Trans-Caspian pipeline construction project, was also read out at the meeting.
The Turkmen leadership has repeatedly expressed its readiness to conduct environmental impact assessment with the participation of international experts in order to implement this project.
Earlier, the head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Malena Mard said that the talks between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the European Commission, as well as their extension on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, are crucial.
The EU is interested in diversification of energy resources supply, as it does not want depend on a single source, as right now, Mard said.
The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Caspian project, remains a priority for Brussels. This was confirmed at the EU summit held in May 2013, during which key infrastructure energy projects for 2014-2020 were approved.
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.
Ashgabat believes that for laying pipes under the Caspian Sea, the legal status of which has not yet been determined, the consent of both Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and those territories covered by the project, is sufficient. Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to offer its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for the implementation of the project.
The negotiations between the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline began in September 2011.
A framework agreement on cooperation in deliveries of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey and further to Europe was signed between the governments of Turkmenistan and Turkey in June 2013 after the high-level talks in Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan ranks fourth in the world for natural gas reserves and is looking for new markets in Europe and South Asia. Currently, the country exports natural gas to Chinese, CIS and Iranian markets.
