Aynur Gasimova, head of Trend's European desk
Due to its favorable geographic location, Turkmenistan plays a key role in Central Asia. However, the geopolitical aspect is not the only reason for country's attractiveness for the international community. Now Turkmenistan occupies a central place in the energy plans of many countries. After the explosion on the Davletbat-Dariyalyk gas pipeline in April 2009, through which the "blue fuel" is supplied from Turkmenistan to Russia, Turkmenistan realized that building long-term relationship with Russia is risky. Until 2010, Turkmenistan was not able to export a single cubic meter of gas to Russia, and now the country is looking for alternative ways of marketing its gas through diversification of gas partners and the development of energy projects with several foreign companies.
Today Turkmenistan sells its gas to China (the world's largest gas pipeline connects the two countries, the length of it is 7,000 km, the design capacity of the pipeline is 40 billion cubic meters per year), Russia (10 billion cubic meters per year from the original 30 billion per year), Iran (14 billion cubic meters per year).
On Tuesday, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan signed an inter-governmental framework agreement on the implementation of construction of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. According to the project, gas from Turkmenistan will be supplied to Pakistan and onward to India. TAPI gas pipeline, with a length of 1,680 km, is designed to transport 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Through the pipeline, Afghanistan will receive 5 billion cubic meters of gas for domestic needs, and will receive $300 million from the transit.
A source from the official circles of Turkmenistan told Trend that by the end of 2010 the export of Turkmen gas will be increased up to 100 billion cubic meters. Plus, Turkmenistan is ready for everything in order to supply its energy resources to the world markets through large-scale international projects such as Nabucco.
According to data provided by BP, the proven gas reserves in Turkmenistan in 2009 amounted to at least 8.1 trillion cubic meters. Thus, today Turkmenistan is the world's fourth country for largest gas reserves after Russia, Iran and Qatar.
In addition to the energy security, Turkmenistan has made international initiatives to address disarmament and the peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
The initiative by the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which he made at the 64th session of UN General Assembly to hold an International conference of countries of Central Asian and Caspian Basin for Disarmament Affairs in Ashgabat, was implemented on June 24, demonstrating how country's foreign policy is consistent in conducting broad international cooperation.
Making a speech at the conference, President said that the zone of Central Asian and Caspian regions is a crossroad through which transport corridors and energy bridges of the Eurasian continent have been laid, is an inexhaustible reservoir of hydrocarbons of world importance, and this confirms that the fate of the security of the continent and, indeed, the world is largely solved here.
A good example of Turkmenistan's significant contribution to supporting global security was opening the headquarters of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia in Ashgabat.
The activities of the president and the current role of the country have demonstrated the positive direction of Turkmenistan's foreign policy and have gained wide support and recognition of the international community. According to the advisor of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat Alexey Tikhomirov, the UN recognizes the "urgency" of international initiatives made by the leadership of Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan also plays a clear role in solving the problems of Afghanistan.
Afghan Defense Ministry's spokesman, General Colonel Zahir Azimi told Trend on September 1 that Turkmenistan has already expressed willingness to support the efforts of the international community and become a mediator in disarming the Taliban. According to Azimi, taking into account the length of the border between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, the latter has great potential to mediate in talks between the Taliban and the authorities.
According to Afghan presidential spokesman Hamid Elmi, Afghanistan supports the mediation efforts of Turkmenistan. "We expect to start negotiations to see real results," Elmi told Trend on September 1.
Turkmenistan already has some experience to mediate talks. Already in 1999, Turkmenistan organized a forum in Ashgabat, which was aimed at holding talks between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance to restore peace in Afghanistan. Therefore, it is likely that this initiative of Turkmenistan will successfully complete. Moreover, Ashgabat tries to improve the lives of local people of Afghanistan. As noted above, the TAPI pipeline will create new jobs for Afghans. Amongst 29 million population of this country, 11 million people are unemployed. In addition, Afghanistan will receive $300 million for transit. Furthermore, in honor of the holy month of Ramadan, the government of Turkmenistan presents 1000 tons of flour to Afghanistan. All these clearly demonstrate a sincere desire of Turkmenistan to develop good relations with its neighbors.
Turkmenistan has so far established diplomatic relations with 129 countries and is a member of 109 international conventions.
Only in 2010, Turkmenistan signed 10 international conventions. During the year, President Berdimuhamedov made more than 15 foreign visits and signed dozens of contracts in economy. All these are an evidence of the progress which the country has made almost during one year, as well as Turkmenistan's takes leadership positions not only in Central Asia, but also far beyond its borders.