G.Berdimuhamedov: Turkmenistan ready to supply gas to EU

Ashgabat, November 11 - Neftegaz.RU. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed the readiness of Turkmenistan to expand the geography of gas deliveries, including the European market.

Turkmenistan ranks 4th in the world in explored reserves of natural gas. Gas is supplied to the eastern and northern directions, a gas pipeline is being constructed from Turkmenistan through the territory of Afghanistan and Pakistan to India (TAPI).

The energy dialogue has been established between Turkmenistan and the EU several years ago; several rounds of negotiations took place in the form of a special working group at the level of heads of relevant departments of the parties.

Speaking about the partnership in the oil sector, Berdimuhamedov focused on the prospects of cooperation with large Italian companies working in this sector.

Italian companies are often among the main strategic partner in many technology and industrial development projects of Turkmenistan. Berdimuhamedov informed that considering the trade figures of first 8 months of this year, Italy is the 3rd largest trade partner of Turkmenistan.

Businessmen of the 2 countries has accumulated positive experience in implementing joint investment projects in the oil and gas sector, construction, textile industry and other areas. That is vividly proved by the long-term fruitful cooperation with Italian company ENI, which has successfully operated on the Turkmen market since 2008, developing hydrocarbon resources on the Nebit-Dag contractual territory under the Production Sharing Agreement.

Currently, there are more than 70 Italian companies in Turkmenistan. Large industrial and infrastructural facilities in Turkmenistan are supplied with the most-advanced Italian equipment.