Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 23
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan intend to strengthen the energy and transport cooperation. This topic was discussed during the meeting between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov, the Turkmen media reported Nov. 22.
The meeting was held in Ashgabat as part of the Summit of Heads of Governments of the CIS countries, Altyn Asyr national TV channel reported.
The energy cooperation aspects of both countries were discussed. Both countries with the largest oil and gas deposits pay special attention to this sphere.
"Having huge resources and economic opportunities, the two neighboring countries intend to continue strengthening the traditional cooperation, based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit," a statement says.
Eyyubov appreciated Turkmenistan's constructive strategy of establishing the multiple systems of the transit transport corridors and energy export to the world markets, Vatan newspaper wrote.
Eyyubov expressed Azerbaijan's great interest in constant strengthening of the productive business relations aimed at promoting sustainable economic development of the Caspian Sea region.
"In this regard, it was stressed that the Caspian Sea remains a sea of friendship and harmony of the fraternal neighboring peoples," a statement says.
The geographical position of the two neighboring countries creates favorable conditions for the effective measures in implementing the projects to build the transcontinental transit transport corridors, ensuring optimal profitable onshore and offshore routes for cargo transportation and their integration into the international transport infrastructure.
The sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest.
"Berdimuhamedov and Eyyubov confirmed readiness of the two countries to actively promote the positive, creative processes in the region and worldwide," the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper wrote.
Turkmenistan is one of the key players on the gas market in the Caspian region. It is interested in diversifying the sale markets. If we talk about the European direction, laying a 300-kilometer gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea to the coast of Azerbaijan would be the most optimal route. It has an appropriate infrastructure for re-export of Turkmen gas to Turkey and Europe. There is a joint commission, consisting of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and the EU.
As for the transport sector, Turkmenistan previously expressed an interest in joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) transport project. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are implementing a project for the construction of the BTK new railway line, designed for the transportation of goods from China and Central Asia.
A five-sided meeting has been recently held in Ashgabat. The draft agreement on the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey transport transit corridor was discussed there. The representatives of the delegations of the above-mentioned countries attended this meeting.
The experts of the member-states believe that the initiative is timely. It will contribute to further progress and prosperity of each country in the region by expanding the general trade volumes and reducing the cost of transit of goods.
for any questions or feedback follow the author on: @AygunBadalova
