OREANDA-NEWS. April 16, 2010. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received EU Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger, who had arrived in Ashgabat at the head of the representative delegation to participate in I International Gas Congress of Turkmenistan.

Thanking for the heartfelt, cordial welcome extended in the Turkmen land, the EU Commissioner said that he was glad to visit Turkmenistan, where the reforms of an unprecedented scale and significance were taking place in all spheres. In this regard, Gunther Oettinger particularly emphasized that the European community ardently welcomed the initiative of the Turkmen leader, whose policy promoted independent neutral Turkmenistan to an even more prominent position on the world arena.

Reaffirming that Europe remained a key priority of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov focused with satisfaction on the high dynamics of the dialogue established with European partners in recent years. The President noted that today this cooperation had been filled with a new quality and content and confirmed in practice the correctness of the multi-directional foreign policy chosen by Turkmenistan.

In the businesslike and constructive atmosphere the sides exchanged views on the current condition and prospects for expansion of Turkmenistan-EU cooperation to meet common interests and goals to ensure peace and global security including energy one. In this regard Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his guest underscored the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU signed in May 2008 which, in fact, had initiated collaboration in this strategic field.

Spotlighting the intense interest showed by European partners in enhancing cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, Gunther Oettinger said that this interest was conditioned by several factors including particularly the continuing political stability in the country, the profound resource and economic potential of Turkmenistan and its reputation of a dependable partner. It was noted that the world-renowned European companies showed greater readiness to establish full-scale, mutually advantageous partnership with Turkmenistan. In this regard the guest said he intended to use the current visit to promote the interests of European business through the participation of the EU delegation in I International Gas Congress and the Exhibition.

Underscoring Turkmenistan’s interest in widely attracting expertise and advanced technologies in the priority sector of the national economy Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated with satisfaction that a number of the famous European companies successfully operated in the country on mutually beneficial terms.

Touching upon the aspects of Turkmenistan-EU partnership Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan, whose huge reserves of hydrocarbon resources had been proved by the independent experts, stood ready to consider any proposals for expansion of transit of Turkmen energy to world markets. Sharing and supporting this intention, the EU Commissioner underlined the paramount importance of the energy projects promoted by Turkmenistan to put the rich resource potential of the country at the service of the world global community and expressed keen interest in implementing new joint projects, which would certainly contribute to brining together and enhancing mutual understanding between Turkmenistan and the European community.