US and Turkmenistan Explore New Gas Routes Across the Caspian
Turkey Unveils $500 Billion Energy Plan Built on Gas, Solar, Nuclear Eurasianet is an independent news organization that covers news from and about the South Caucasus and Central Asia, providing on-the-ground reporting and critical perspectives on… US and Turkmen diplomats focused on expanding trans-Caspian connectivity and promoting energy export diversification during annual consultations in Ashgabat.
Turkmen officials are signaling a strong desire to improve trade ties with both South Asia and the West, while maintaining the country’s long-standing status as a neutral state.
Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia S.
Paul Kapur met November 3 with Turkmenistan’s paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, before holding comprehensive discussions with Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
Reports on the talks offered by both sides did not provide specifics but sounded optimistic.
A US Embassystatementtouted “positive momentum in the US-Turkmenistan relationship,” citing “commercial ties, energy cooperation, and regional connectivity.” A reportpublishedby the official Turkmen news agency TDH characterized US-Turkmen economic relations as “fruitful.” It went on to indicate that Ashgabat’s “strategy to diversify its energy supply routes” was high on the agenda for the annual consultations.
After decades of equivocation, Turkmen energy officials havesignaled interestin shipping significant volumes of natural gas westward.
In the weeks prior to the bilateral consultations, officials in Ashgabat indicated that they were hoping to secure American assistance and investment for improving the country’s energy extraction infrastructure.
American officials, meanwhile, would like to secure a Turkmen commitment to participate in a long-contemplated trans-Caspian pipeline.
Turkmen participation is widely seen as needed for a trans-Caspian pipeline, if built, to be economically viable.
In late October, Turkey’s envoy in Ashgabat, ?ener Cebeci,announcedthat the two countries would restart energy trade, adding that they would also explore developing new transit routes to supply Turkmen gas to Europe via Turkey.
Cebeci’s comments are helping to catalyze chatter about a trans-Caspian export route.
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