Turkmenistan is ready to significantly increase the volume of supplies of its natural gas to the countries of Central Asia, or through their territories to foreign markets on mutually beneficial terms.  This was stated by President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who spoke at a consultative meeting of the heads of the Central Asia states, which took place last Friday in the Avaza National Tourist Zone.

 As examples of effective cooperation in the gas industry, the head of our state named the supply of Turkmen natural gas to neighboring Uzbekistan, the construction and operation of the international gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-China.

 “At present, it is planned to intensify negotiations to discuss issues related to the design of a new gas pipeline Turkmenistan-China, which can also be laid through the territories of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan”, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov added.

 At the same time, the President of Turkmenistan noted that similar examples could be cited in the electric power industry.  Thus, the capacities in the Lebap and Mary regions of Turkmenistan make it possible to significantly increase the supply of electricity to the states of Central Asia.

 The Turkmen leader expressed confidence that the implementation of such projects could give a good impetus for the growth of the economies of the region's countries, create preconditions for the formation of a multivariate energy space in Central Asia.

 In his speech, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that energy was a key component of the economy of the Central Asian states.

 “We are all conceptually united in our views on the configuration and prospects of partnership in this area, - the President said.  - This was confirmed by the repeated and unanimous support by the states of the region for the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions, initiated by Turkmenistan, on the reliability and stability of energy supplies as an important factor in economic growth”.

 The head of Turkmenistan expressed confidence that partnership in the energy sector should be carried out through the active and full participation of all Central Asian states without exception, and it should be aimed at creating a powerful energy infrastructure both within the region and along its external perimeter.