President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov chaired a sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers. The vice premiers reported on the current activities and the progress of the important projects. The President focused on the issues related to development of the fuel and energy sector, in particular construction of the facilities in the Dovletabad gas deposit.

Vice Premier T. Tagiev reported on the preparations for the ceremonies of laying of the foundation stone of the Dovletabad-2 gas compressor station and putting the Dovletabad-3 gas compressor station built with assistance of the European specialists into operation.

Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs R. Meredov reported on the visit of the EU high-ranking delegation led by EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs to Ashgabat. The delegation would participate in the ceremony of laying of the foundation stone of the fuel and energy facilities in Turkmenistan.

Noting that ranking among the world’s energy producers Turkmenistan consistently stepped up efforts to implement its profound hydrocarbon potential Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused on particular significance of the ceremonies in the Dovletabad gas deposit as vivid evidence of Turkmenistan’s adherence to this strategy. Heavily investing in the fuel and energy sector Turkmenistan took the concrete steps to create the favourable investment climate that facilitated the activity of the world’s large companies that had expressed the readiness to establish close partnership with Turkmenistan.

The President said that co-operation with the European Union was a priority of Turkmenistan’s foreign economic policy that would be evidenced by signing the Memorandum of Understanding and Co-operation in Energy Sector between the EU and Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that EU-Turkmenistan co-operation met the interests of the Turkmen state as well as the EU member countries so far as it is based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and confidence