The talks between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Federal President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer, held at Hofburg Palace in the capital of Austria on April 12, highlighted Europe’s interest in natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of aspects of Turkmen-Austrian partnership and specified its priorities. The Federal President of the Republic of Austria expressed support for the energy policy of the Turkmen state aimed at diversifying export routes. In this context, Mr. Heinz Fischer emphasized that European countries were keenly interested in natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan that ranks among the biggest exporters of ‘blue fuel’ to world markets.
Austria can serve today as an example of effective use of renewable energy, including wind and solar energy. However, it covers two-thirds of its energy needs with natural gas. In this regard, the Federal President emphasized that Turkmenistan was viewed as a promising and reliable partner capable of ensuring a stable supply of energy.
“Austria supports the projects aimed at diversifying and depoliticizing gas supply routes. This is consonant with the standpoint of Turkmenistan,” Mr. Heinz Fischer said, noting that one of the first steps towards creating an adequate legal framework was the signing of the Turkmen-Austrian Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation in 2011.
The most promising vectors of bilateral cooperation and partnership include the transport sector. The President of the Republic of Austria said that the Great Silk Road, which runs from China through Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, to Europe was a very promising route that could give new impetus to trade and economic relations on the continent.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that energy and transport were the promising areas in which cooperation between the two countries could become more strategic. The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan and Austria shared the view that global energy security serves today as the crucial component contributing to the stability and sustainability of the system of international political and economic relations. Its key aspects include diversification of energy supply, in particular the development of new routes westwards from Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan viewed Austria as an important partner in task-oriented cooperation, both in bilateral format and within the long-term energy dialogue between Turkmenistan and Europe.
In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the issues of energy cooperation were of particular importance for Turkmenistan due to some objective reasons. The country has tremendous hydrocarbon resources, the reserves of which are confirmed by international experts. The profound resource potential enables our country to conclude long-term contracts for a stable supply of energy.
Turkmenistan has concluded such contracts on three gas pipelines: Turkmenistan-Russia, Turkmenistan-China and Turkmenistan-Iran. the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project which is currently under implementation is a promising vector of diversification of energy transit from Turkmenistan. The possibility to supply Turkmen energy to Europe is being considered thoroughly.
The construction of the East-West gas pipeline, which will unite the major gas fields on the territory of our country into the gas transportation system and significantly enhance the export potential of Turkmenistan, is nearing completion. Together with the onshore fields, the country has the reserves of energy resources in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea which are sufficient for European projects as well.
The top-level talks in Vienne confirmed that the sides were committed to concerting efforts to strengthen global stability and security and maintain the climate of mutual confidence and understanding in Central Asia and Europe. In this regard, the status of neutrality of Turkmenistan and Austria and their readiness to provide all possible assistance to peace processes, stand as the essential factors. Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria once again demonstrated their commitment to multifaceted long-term cooperation, meeting the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries.
The two leaders discussed a wide range of aspects of Turkmen-Austrian partnership and specified its priorities. The Federal President of the Republic of Austria expressed support for the energy policy of the Turkmen state aimed at diversifying export routes. In this context, Mr. Heinz Fischer emphasized that European countries were keenly interested in natural gas supplies from Turkmenistan that ranks among the biggest exporters of ‘blue fuel’ to world markets.
Austria can serve today as an example of effective use of renewable energy, including wind and solar energy. However, it covers two-thirds of its energy needs with natural gas. In this regard, the Federal President emphasized that Turkmenistan was viewed as a promising and reliable partner capable of ensuring a stable supply of energy.
“Austria supports the projects aimed at diversifying and depoliticizing gas supply routes. This is consonant with the standpoint of Turkmenistan,” Mr. Heinz Fischer said, noting that one of the first steps towards creating an adequate legal framework was the signing of the Turkmen-Austrian Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation in 2011.
The most promising vectors of bilateral cooperation and partnership include the transport sector. The President of the Republic of Austria said that the Great Silk Road, which runs from China through Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, to Europe was a very promising route that could give new impetus to trade and economic relations on the continent.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that energy and transport were the promising areas in which cooperation between the two countries could become more strategic. The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan and Austria shared the view that global energy security serves today as the crucial component contributing to the stability and sustainability of the system of international political and economic relations. Its key aspects include diversification of energy supply, in particular the development of new routes westwards from Turkmenistan.
The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan viewed Austria as an important partner in task-oriented cooperation, both in bilateral format and within the long-term energy dialogue between Turkmenistan and Europe.
In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the issues of energy cooperation were of particular importance for Turkmenistan due to some objective reasons. The country has tremendous hydrocarbon resources, the reserves of which are confirmed by international experts. The profound resource potential enables our country to conclude long-term contracts for a stable supply of energy.
Turkmenistan has concluded such contracts on three gas pipelines: Turkmenistan-Russia, Turkmenistan-China and Turkmenistan-Iran. the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project which is currently under implementation is a promising vector of diversification of energy transit from Turkmenistan. The possibility to supply Turkmen energy to Europe is being considered thoroughly.
The construction of the East-West gas pipeline, which will unite the major gas fields on the territory of our country into the gas transportation system and significantly enhance the export potential of Turkmenistan, is nearing completion. Together with the onshore fields, the country has the reserves of energy resources in the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea which are sufficient for European projects as well.
The top-level talks in Vienne confirmed that the sides were committed to concerting efforts to strengthen global stability and security and maintain the climate of mutual confidence and understanding in Central Asia and Europe. In this regard, the status of neutrality of Turkmenistan and Austria and their readiness to provide all possible assistance to peace processes, stand as the essential factors. Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria once again demonstrated their commitment to multifaceted long-term cooperation, meeting the fundamental interests of the peoples of our countries.