The ceremony of signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union was held at the Presidential Palace in Ashgabat. The EU high-ranking delegation consisting of EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs had arrived in the Turkmen capital on this occasion. Turkmenistan was represented at the ceremony by the cabinet ministers and the high-raking officials of the Mejlis. Greeting the guests President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that Turkmenistan highly appreciated the relations with the European Union and regarded the current visit of the high-ranking delegation as a token of profound respect of the international community, first of all the European Union.

The Turkmen leader emphasized that development of mutually advantageous co-operation with the EU member states was a priority of neutral Turkmenistan’s foreign policy doctrine based on equal partnership, mutual respect and benefit.

Focusing on the traditionally friendly nature of the relations established with the European Union and having the considerable potential for enhancement and further development Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov with satisfaction noted that co-operation started in 1992 was successfully maintained in the present period. Thus, the projects in the sphere of educational and science, economy, customs sector, statistics, tourism, coordination of foreign technical assistance were implemented in the framework of the Programme TACIS and TACIS TEMPUS. The EU specialists and experts provided consultations, carried out the joint expert and research activities, provided assistance in professional development. In the framework of the EU regional programme Turkmenistan participated in the projects focused on the fuel and energy sector, the sphere of transport, environmental protection, prevention of illegal drug trade and assistance in border management. The other EU regional programme included Inogate, TRACEKA and the Caspian Environment Programme.

Touching upon the necessity to steadily intensify partnership, conducting regular meetings, consultations and talks Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov put emphasis on the activity of the Turkmenistan-EU joint committee, which was to focus on the issues of current importance defining the dynamics and future trends of mutually advantageous and fruitful co-operation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

In conclusion noting importance of the current event – signing the Memorandum that replenished the legal framework for the bilateral relations Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed belief that the current talks would be an important stage towards strengthening the ties of friendship and mutually advantageous co-operation between Turkmenistan and the European Union.

Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave the floor to the head of the EU delegation. Thanking the Turkmen leader for the heartfelt welcome EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs emphasized that he was very glad to visit again Turkmenistan that had achieved the remarkable results on the path of fundamental reforms and won the profound international prestige. The guest said that the European Union considered Turkmenistan an important strategic partner and focused with satisfaction on the increased dynamics of the trade and economic relations and mutually advantageous co-operation in whole based on the solid legal framework. Touching upon the priority trends of long-term partnership the guests said that they were dictated by the current complementary opportunities as well as the existing experience of collaboration. In this regard Mr. Andris Piebalgs focused on humanitarian co-operation, in particular in the sphere of education and science that the partners successfully developed in the framework of the EU programmes – TACIS and TEMPUS.

Mr. Andris Piebalgs focused on the importance of intensifying energy co-operation stressing its promising prospects given Turkmenistan’s profound economic and resource potential and its role in strengthening global energy security. In this regard the EU high-ranking official congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the successful visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan emphasizing that this step had been made due to Turkmenistan’s transparent and constructive position. The guest said that the top level agreements achieved in Baku would promote further intensifying the relations between the neighbouring countries as well as profoundly contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Exchanging views on the current status and the future trends of partnership the sides highly appreciated the current level of the dialogue and recognized the necessity to maintain and intensify it to achieve the common goals and objectives. In this context the EU Energy Commissioner put emphasis on the necessity of achieving the balance between the high level of political co-operation and an economic component of collaboration through attaching paramount importance to it.

Noting with satisfaction enhancement of the Turkmenistan-EU relations EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Ambassador Pierre Morel emphasized that the agreements reached during the talks held by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the EU Headquarters in Brussels had offered a powerful incentive to develop partnership.

Pierre Morel said that as nobody else he was able to appreciate the sweeping changes that had taken place in Turkmenistan in recent years since he was the first French ambassador accredited to Turkmenistan. Considering that on July 1, 2008 France would assume the presidency of the European Union the EU Special Representative expressed belief that the relations successfully developed between Turkmenistan and France would cement co-operation of particular interest to the European countries.

Sharing the colleagues’ opinion about the importance of further enhancement of the fruitful dialogue Chairperson of the EU Working Group for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Ambassador Daria Bavdaz-Kuret said that she was proud that a new stage of Turkmenistan-EU co-operation had fallen on the term of Slovenia’s presidency.

Thanking the guests for high appreciation and the intention of further intensifying and expanding co-operation in the full spectrum of fields Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the members of the delegation to visit the largest gas field in Turkmenistan – Dovletabad, where the large-scale work was carried on to establish the gas infrastructure.

The Turkmen leader said that nowadays Turkmenistan heavily invested in the large-scale energy projects guaranteeing Turkmenistan’s adherence to the partner obligations. Noting Turkmenistan’s interest in attracting the best international expertise and advanced technologies Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said with satisfaction that a number of the well-known European companies collaborated with Turkmenistan in these important projects.

The sides affixed their signatures to the important document of bilateral co-operation – the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union demonstrating the mutual readiness to further expand energy co-operation.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Turkmenistan attended the meeting.