OREANDA-NEWS. January 17, 2011. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, who had arrived on the first official visit to the Turkmen capital a day before, conducted the talks in Ashgabat.

In the morning the cortege of EC President Jose Manuel Barroso headed for the Oguzkent Hotel. In the foyer of the fashionable hotel President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly and heartily greeted the head of the European Commission. The leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the head of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso underscored the mutual willingness to develop fruitful cooperation, which would be given new incentives and filled with a new content during these talks in Ashgabat.

Upon concluding the official greeting ceremony, the heads of Turkmenistan and the European Commission conducted the one-to-one talks in the Fireplace Hall of the Oguzkent Hotel.

Exchanging the warm greetings, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the head of the European Commission expressed satisfaction with an opportunity to discuss in detail the aspects of collaboration and prospects for cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union. Viewing this visit of Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso as a landmark, historic event, the leader of the Turkmen state expressed belief that these talks would promote full cooperation and fill it with a new content meeting modern realities.

In his turn, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso emphasized that he was very glad to have an opportunity to visit Ashgabat for the first time and discuss the priority fields of cooperation, which had been filled with a qualitatively new content in recent years, with the Turkmen leader during a new meeting. The EC President underscored the intense interest of the European community in enhancing cooperation with Turkmenistan, which employed the most constructive approach to building an effective model for regional and international cooperation.

During the meeting the sides discussed a wide range of issues of international and regional politics, the current state and prospects for developing of Turkmenistan-EU partnership in the context of ongoing as well as future programmes and projects.

Reaffirming that Turkmenistan was committed to the European vector of its foreign policy strategy, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the country’s profound potential enabled to implement large-scale international projects meeting the interests of all parties concerned. Discussing the progress in implementing the bilateral agreements, the sides focused once gain on the firm mutual intension to bring traditional cooperation at a qualitatively new level and make it more dynamic to meet global interests and modern requirements.

The sides considered the other important issues of strategic interest to Turkmenistan and the European Union and challenges and problems facing the modern world. The fact that the one-to-one talks lasted about an hour and a half instead of thirty minutes as scheduled by the protocol illustrated that the meeting agenda was aimed at achieving practical results.

Then the talks were continued in the Congress Hall with the participation of the delegations of Turkmenistan and the European Commission.

Greeting cordially and heartily the distinguished guest and the members of the EU’s delegation President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov thanked Jose Manuel Barroso for accepting the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and focused on particular significance of this visit that marked a new landmark in further enhancement of cooperation of Turkmenistan with one of its strategic partners – the European Union. We view this meeting as a splendid opportunity to exchange views in topical issues of mutual interest and consider the effective forms of collaboration, said the Turkmen leader.

It was noted that since the early days of independence Turkmenistan had been developing mutually advantageous partnership with the European Union and EU member states; these relations had been tested by time and were brought today to a qualitatively new level due to the understanding of strategic tasks and prospects for fulfillment of them. The mutual interest and willingness to expand contacts covering the political, economic and humanitarian aspects of cooperation, ongoing large-scale changes and reforms in Turkmenistan as well as new approaches used by the European Union to partnership with our country laid the firm foundations for effective collaboration, said Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The opening of Europa House in Ashgabat and the accreditation of the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan were mentioned as the critical factors for intensifying Turkmenistan-EU relations.

The Turkmen leader said that Turkmenistan welcomed the high dynamics of the political dialogue developed today on a systemic basis. This is made possible through using the existing mechanisms in the framework of bilateral relations with particular European countries as well as the European Union as a whole. They are aimed at searching for and implementing the effective approaches to cooperation in such critical areas as security, economy, energy, ecology, education and the humanitarian sphere. These areas are the important components for our cooperation at the bilateral level as well as in the regional dimension. Therefore, we give particular attention the activities set forth in the EU Central Asia Strategy.

Focusing on the fruitfulness of annual meetings of foreign ministers of the Central Asian states with the ministerial ‘troyka’ of EU member states that contributed to tackling topical regional and international issues, the Turkmen leader put emphasis on the effectiveness of an individual level of interaction that reflected the interests of the European Union towards each of Central Asian states. In this regard the President stated that it would be reasonable to intensify contacts between foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the European Union, and that Turkmenistan stood ready to conduct political consultations at the ministerial level in the near future.

Focusing on significance of consistent efforts to intensify trade and economic cooperation, the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that today Turkmenistan maintained foreign economic relations with all European countries, and Turkmen-European trade turnover had totalled USD 1.5 billion in 2010. The Turkmen leader said that these figures didn’t reflect the potential and possibilities of our countries. In this regard the President of Turkmenistan focused on the need to implement more fully the potential of the Turkmenistan-European Union Committee, which would conduct a regular meeting in Ashgabat in the current year.

The promising fields of cooperation included high tech industries, the transport, communications, banking and financial sectors. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that such an approach would enable to boost economic and investment activities aimed at implementing the projects of transcontinental trade and transport corridors. Noting that Turkmenistan stood ready to consider comprehensively the issues regarding enhancement of economic relations with the European Union, the Turkmen leader suggested exploring the possibility to develop the programme for Turkmenistan-European Union trade and economic cooperation for a medium or long term.

Touching upon the potential of partnership, the leader of the Turkmen state dwelt on the energy sector and expressed gratitude to EU member states for supporting Turkmenistan’s large-scale energy security initiatives. All EU member states co-sponsored the Resolutions of the UN General Assembly on the Reliable and Stable Transit of Energy and Its Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development and International Cooperation adopted on Turkmenistan’s initiative in December 2008. At the current stage the European Union provided Turkmenistan with utmost assistance in implementing this important document.

Confirming that Turkmenistan as a largest oil and gas producer sought to develop equal and mutually advantageous cooperation in the energy sector with different countries of the world, including EU member states, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov welcomed the partners’ understanding and recognition of urgency of energy security challenges in the modern world and the need to develop fundamentally new approaches to achieving it.

The President of Turkmenistan said that in this context Turkmenistan developed and consistently implemented the principle of diversification of energy transit to world markets. Also, Turkmenistan took the active measures to develop the domestic fuel and energy sector and increased the specific weight of finished products, in particular petroleum and petrochemical products. Our dependable partners in this field were a number of large companies from EU member states.

Focusing on the intense interest of European partners in Turkmenistan conditioned by dynamical, sustainable and predictable socio-economic development, the Turkmen leader provided the examples of European companies and enterprises operating in the energy sector, particularly under service contracts in the oil and gas industry and in the Turkmen offshore sector of the Caspian Sea.

The Turkmen leader underscored Turkmenistan’s interest in close cooperation with European partners in the power industry and in developing alternative energy sources, in particular solar and wind. Emphasis was put on broad prospects for cooperation in the gas sector. The Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that today Turkmenistan pursued in practice the strategy for developing multivariate pipeline infrastructure. As is known, the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan-Iran gas pipeline were put into operation in 2009 and 2010. The work to implement the project of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is under way. In December 2010 Ashgabat hosted the Summit, and the important documents laying the legal foundations for the TAPI project were finalized.

Focusing on Turkmenistan’s readiness to develop the European vector of its energy policy, the Turkmen leader emphasized that there existed all necessary requisites. There are several variants of supply of Turkmen natural gas to European markets. The most effective one in commercial, financial and infrastructure terms is the construction of a pipeline along the seabed of the Caspian Sea. In this regard the President reminded that at the Summit of Caspian states on November 18, 2010 in Baku Turkmenistan had stated officially that a subsea pipeline in the Caspian Sea should be built by consent of only those states, the sections of which this pipeline would cross, in compliance with international environmental standards and requirements. Touching upon the variants of gas export, the Turkmen leader focused on the possibilities for transportation of pressure gas via the Caspian Sea along with pipelines. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that this would require development of relevant infrastructure and the tanker fleet. I think these and other variants of supply of Turkmen gas to Europe can be a topic for serious discussion between Turkmenistan and governments of European states and companies interested.

Focusing on the significance of cultural and humanitarian, scientific and educational contacts between Turkmenistan and the European Union, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that a number of programmes aimed at further democratization of the political and social life were being implemented in collaboration with international organisations. The examples included the positive outcomes of Turkmenistan-European Union collaboration within the programme Legal Capacity Building in Turkmenistan.

A key vector of Turkmenistan-EU cooperation was the sphere of science and education. The Turkmen leader emphasized that within the EU-funded educational programmes such as TACIS-TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus a number of projects aimed at training and advanced training specialists for various sectors of the national economy and the social sector of Turkmenistan had been implemented during the years of cooperation. Emphasis was put on the efficiency of collaboration in environmental protection, in particular conservation and efficient management of water and biological resources. We attach considerable importance to cooperation to mitigate effects of global climate changes, reduce harmful atmospheric emissions, to combat desertification, said the President.

In conclusion President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov once again focused on Turkmenistan’s interest in enhancing further mutually advantageous contacts with the European Union and maintaining regular contacts in order to build an effective model for cooperation meeting modern realities and the spirit of equitable partnership.

Then the floor was given to Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

Thanking President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen people for the hospitality and warm welcome, the head of the European Commission focused on the importance of his visit to Turkmenistan.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here, in Ashgabat, and have an opportunity of a personal meeting with President of Turkmenistan,” said Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso noting that this first official visit to our country served as a symbolic message of friendship. Relations between the EU and Turkmenistan have a good foundation and multilateral directions. All this allows developing them filling with a new content and promoting them further. Today the EU and Turkmenistan are bound with closer partnership than ever before in our history, continued the President of the European Commission. Turkmenistan plays a very important role in EU-Central Asia cooperation, emphasized the head of the European Commission noting that Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian state he had visited.

Touching upon the significance of the policy promoted by the Turkmen state to ensure peace and stability in the region, Jose Manuel Barroso expressed support on behalf of the European Union for the foreign policy strategy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen leader’s progressive initiatives aimed at facilitating constructive international cooperation for the benefit of all peoples on the planet.

A great number of European companies showed today a quite intense interest in the impressive market growth in Turkmenistan, said the distinguished guest thanking in this context the Turkmen leader for appreciating the contribution made by European economic entities to Turkmenistan’s economic progress.

In this regard the head of the European Commission said that the work was under way so that its representative office could start to function in Ashgabat.

Touching upon the major aspects of bilateral relations, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso mentioned trade emphasizing that currently the EU, including all member states, was a leading trade partner for Turkmenistan. However, there existed unused reserves and unfulfilled potential. Turkmenistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will increase Turkmenistan’s share in regional and global trade, said Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso.

The European Commission attaches great importance to expansion of the WTO, because we are convinced that it has a positive impact on economic growth that is essential for long-term prosperity and welfare, said the guest. The accession to the World Trade Organization also opened new opportunities for attracting foreign investment, creating new jobs, fostering socio-economic development. In this regard the EC President called upon Turkmenistan to apply for the accession to the WTO. “We are ready to offer technical assistance to Turkmenistan and to share European experience,: continued Mr, Jose Manuel Barroso.

Turkmenistan’s activity on world energy market was stipulated by a significant economic growth and the pace of socio-economy development of the country, emphasized the head of the European Commission. Speaking about the significance of ongoing progressive reforms and changes in Turkmenistan, the distinguished guest evaluated highly the country’s impressive achievements in education, science and other spheres.

Specifying collaboration in implementing joint humanitarian projects as a critical aspect of Turkmenistan-EU cooperation, the distinguished guest focused on the intention to give further priority to this sphere viewing it as very promising and suggested expanding contacts in the spheres of education, training, vocational training, science and technologies.

Focusing on energy security issues, the distinguished guest noted that today Turkmenistan was a dependable gas exporter on the world market emphasizing that in this field vast opportunities were opened up for bilateral and multilateral partnership with the EU, which sought to develop multivariate and safe pipeline infrastructure ensuring reliable and stable energy transit to world markets. In this regard the EU viewed Turkmenistan as a critical, win-win and mutually beneficial vector for cooperation.

Europe is ready to buy Turkmen gas at the border and offer its facilities to develop the fuel and energy sector, develop deposits, confirmed the head of the European Commission expressing support for Turkmenistan’s position towards the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline.

Expressing satisfaction with the outcomes of the talks with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso said that the results of this meeting would be also presented at the European Council meeting scheduled for early next month. Speaking about the further concerted measures and steps to be elaborated to enhance Turkmenistan-EU cooperation, the head of the European Commission noted that this work would be facilitated through establishing an ad-hoc group, which would draft new intergovernmental agreements. In this regard, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso underlined that 2011 should be a landmark in terms of strategic decisions to be made in this area, particularly in the energy sector.

Nevertheless, the agenda of our cooperation is much broader than purely economic interests, continued the distinguished guest focusing on the continuing active EU-Turkmenistan dialogue on security serving as a prerequisite and foundation for full-scale economic development as no less significant field of cooperation. In this context the head of the European Commission underlined the mutual interest in concerting efforts of Turkmenistan and European countries to respond to security challenges. The EU welcomed and supported Turkmenistan’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking as well as to assist in bettering the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan.

The President of the European Commission highly evaluated Turkmenistan’s constructive role in addressing regional disputes and issues putting emphasis on the importance of the activities of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia opened in Ashgabat in 2007.

Toughing upon the major issues closely related to regional security, the head of the EC mentioned water resource management and highly evaluated Turkmenistan’s contribution to addressing this urgent problem of the region. For his part the EU is ready to offer new investment and credit lines for construction of facilities, water supply infrastructure and implementation of environmental projects and energy projects, said Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso. Currently, the European Investment Bank and Turkmenistan negotiate the Framework Agreement, which will open up further prospects for cooperation, new opportunities to implement joint projects and investment in environmental protection, agricultural development, etc.

The European Commission also seeks to become more involved in reforming the education system in Turkmenistan as well as other aspects of current modernization in your country, said Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso.

We sincerely want to breathe new life, new dynamics to existing friendly relations of Turkmenistan and EU countries, continued the head of the European Commission expressing gratitude to the leadership of Turkmenistan for an open, sincere and dependable approach to developing fruitful partnership.

In conclusion Mr Jose Manuel Barroso expressed sincere gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the warm welcome extended in Turkmenistan and invited the Turkmen leader to visit Brussels.

Then the President of Turkmenistan and the head of the European Commission gave a press conference.

Thanking once again the President of the European Commission for accepting the invitation to visit Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso for the successful talks conducted in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect and emphasized the visit of the delegation of the European Union was viewed in Turkmenistan as an landmark event oriented towards intensification of traditionally friendly Turkmen-European relations.

Commenting on the outcomes of the talks, the leader of the Turkmen state emphasized that a comprehensive exchange of views on further development and enhancement of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU had taken place and a number of issues of international and regional politics of mutual interest had been considered during the meeting. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that Turkmenistan and the EU showed mutual understanding on many topical issues of international life and convergence of principles and approaches to addressing major challenges on global agenda.

Effective cooperation between Turkmenistan and EU member states was mentioned as an essential factor for maintaining and intensifying the political dialogue. We discussed the possibilities for closer collaboration to strengthen peace and security on the planet, eliminate threats and challenges to all humanity, noted the Turkmen leader. In this regard the President of Turkmenistan thanked the EU delegation for consistent support for foreign policy initiatives of the Turkmen state. The examples of this collaboration included the fact that EU member states co-sponsored the resolution of the UN General Assembly on the reliable and stable transit of energy adopted in December 2008 on Turkmenistan’s initiative. For our part we highly esteem the proposals put forward by our European partners within international organisations, said Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Emphasizing that Europe was a key vector of the foreign policy strategy of the Turkmen state, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov called for continuing the dialogue between Turkmenistan and the European Union, which could be facilitated by joint activities in the framework of EU projects and programmes in such areas as security, economy, energy and ecology as well as regular top level contacts, including contacts between foreign policy institutions of Turkmenistan and the European Union.

Underscoring broad prospects and vast opportunities for Turkmenistan-EU cooperation characterized by the high level of mutual confidence and transparency, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed belief that the agreements reached in Ashgabat today would contribute to enhancing further Turkmen-European relations and using the profound potential of collaboration in the trade and economic, cultural, scientific, humanitarian and other fields.

Speaking about the potential of Turkmenistan-EU cooperation, the Turkmen leader underscored the mutual willingness to promote economic contacts, vast opportunities opened up within the EU Central Asia Strategy and to extend mutually advantageous contacts in the economic field.

The fuel and energy, building, transport, communications and telecommunications, agricultural, textile and service sectors were mentioned as the priority areas of collaboration.

We welcome the willingness of European companies to implement joint projects in our country. European business could find a worthy niche in Turkmen economy, said the Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

Noting that a focus of the talks was the aspects of energy partnership, the Turkmen leader reminded that the Memorandum of Understanding and Energy Cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union had been signed in May 2008. The signing ceremony had been followed up by the visits to the EU Commissioner for Energy to Ashgabat and the Turkmen government delegations to Brussels. Energy issues were comprehensively considered on a regular basis during top level talks. In this regard President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan’s position was extremely clear and transparent. Our country, which ranks among the largest gas producers in the world, builds the strategy in this field on the principles for diversification that in its turn entails development of multivariate transport, including pipeline, infrastructure aiming to ensure reliable and stable transit of natural gas to world markets. In this context we regard the European vector as a promising one and stand ready for collaboration with our counterparts from the European Union.

Noting that a wide range of variants for supply of Turkmen natural gas to European markets had been considered during the enlarged meeting, the Turkmen leader mentioned the construction of a pipeline on the seabed of the Caspian Sea, transportation of natural gas in special tankers across the Caspian Sea. The President said that technical, commercial, financial, organizational issues related to implementation of these projects would be discussed in detail at an expert level, and the outcomes of their work would be secured by relevant agreements and contracts.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underscored efficiency of further development of traditional cultural and humanitarian contacts between Turkmenistan and the EU, partnership in the spheres of science and high technologies, personnel training and advanced training. The Turkmen leader said that the potential of the Turkmenistan-European Union Committee would be used fully for this purpose.

In conclusion President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the meeting and emphasized that he viewed it as a milestone in development of Turkmenistan-European Union collaboration distinguished for new quality and meeting long-term mutual interests.

Addressing the press conference, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission focused on the constructiveness and effectiveness of the top level meeting in Ashgabat, which had turned into a comprehensive exchange of views on the current state and prospects for developing Turkmen-European relations, which were filled today with a qualitatively new content.

“We conducted an in-depth analysis of a wide range of issues of our partnership from economy to the political sphere,” continued Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso. “The Central Asian region, and Turkmenistan in particular, have a critical place on the agenda of the EU’s foreign policy. And we are impressed by the results of the efforts taken by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov towards modernization of Turkmen economy, reform of government and democratization of the society.

Commenting on the outcomes of the talks, which focused on a wide spectrum of aspects of cooperation, the distinguished guest reaffirmed that the European Union was committed to full cooperation with Turkmenistan in all fields. Touching upon economic contacts, in particular Turkmenistan-EU cooperation in the fuel and energy sector and EU-Turkmenistan trade, the sides were unanimous that there existed most favourable conditions and opportunities for further expansion of effective partnership.

Commenting positively on Turkmenistan’s constructive role in the field of energy diplomacy, the head of European Commission expressed full support for Turkmenistan’s efforts to diversify gas export routes. Noting that Europe was the world’s largest market, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU stood ready to buy Turkmen gas and offer its technologies to promote development of Turkmen gas sector. Speaking about the possibility for building the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, the head of the European Commission focused on its importance for ensuring reliable and safe transit of energy to Europe as well as a steady demand for Turkmen gas.

Presenting the standpoints of the European Commission on the accession of Turkmenistan to the World Trade Organisation, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso said that the step would be an effective measure to promote trade and attract investment into the country. Intensification of collaboration in the cultural and humanitarian, scientific and educational spheres, which provides a broad platform to develop fruitful contacts, is no less important.

Touching upon the specific foreign policy issues, the President of the European Commission put emphasis on the mutual intention to cooperate to promote peace and security and common welfare in the bilateral format and within international organisations.

Expressing gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan for the heartfelt welcome, the head of the European Commission thanked cordially once again the Turkmen leader for the hearty hospitality that he and the members of the EU official delegation enjoyed in the Turkmen land.

Then the heads of Turkmenistan and the European Commission answered the questions of Turkmen and foreign journalists.

Answering the question about the reserves of Turkmen natural gas, which should meet increasing volumes of exports and ensure diversification of export routes towards Europe, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented the conclusion made by the international experts of the European company, namely British Gaffney, Cline & Associates, which had conducted the audit of gas reserves in the Southern Yoloten-Osman field in Turkmenistan. The audit conducted in 2008 in compliance with the evaluation and classification international system had clearly proved the natural wealth of Turkmenistan. The Turkmen leader emphasized that this was only one deposit, which were many in Turkmenistan. In this regard and given the fact that two years and a half passed since the last independent audit had been conducted, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the results of the new audit, which would be conducted by this international expert group, would be presented soon.

Potential European buyers had nothing to worry about, continued the President of Turkmenistan. We are ready to sign contracts for supply of required volumes of gas even now. The matter depends only on companies that will transport Turkmen gas from the Turkmen borders to consumers, stated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

In this regard, the Turkmen leader underscored Turkmenistan’s interest in collaboration with those companies, which had been collaborating fruitfully with our country for many years and had the profound expertise and relevant engineering and technical framework to implement high-tech projects. In particular, these included Russian companies, with which Turkmenistan maintained long-standing reliable partnership and which had the excellent reputation all over the world. These companies also had expertise in laying submarine pipeline systems. Russia had always been our strategic partner. We are bound with historical and economic relations, and today many Russian companies are successfully operating on the Turkmen market. Therefore, Turkmenistan would welcome collaboration with companies from Russia and any other country on the basis of mutual benefit and practicability, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The Turkmen leader once again underscored the fundamental position of neutral Turkmenistan against politicization of economic projects.

Touching upon the gas price policy, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reminded that at the session of the United Nations Turkmenistan had presented the energy security concept clearly formulating the principles of equal relationship between exporters, transit countries and consumers. Therefore, there would be no specific or new approaches to calculating the export prices for Turkmen gas. As is known, Turkmenistan sells gas at the border, and the gas price is based on an international formula taking account of the changing demand on global energy market. This means that selling gas to Europe Turkmenistan will adhere to universally accepted international principles without detriment to any of the parties, including suppliers, transit countries and consumers.

The Turkmen leader concluded that Turkmenistan stood ready to cooperate on the pragmatic basis with all parties concerned.

Answering the question about his vision of the prospects for cooperation between Turkmenistan and the European Union, the President of the European Commission characterised it as very promising and allowing making most optimistic projections. This conclusion was grounded on existing partnerships between Turkmenistan and EU member states, the dynamics of development of Turkmen-European relations that was a direct result of the vigorous activities, and leadership qualities of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan’s commitment to the strategy for expanding a fruitful international dialogue. Taking along with existing joint policy documents and projects the concrete steps, including in the fuel and energy sector, will make it possible to bring our relationship to a new, higher level, said the head of the European Commission. In this context the President of the European Commission focused on the convergence of interests of Turkmenistan and the EU embodied in real benefits for our peoples.

Both Turkmenistan and the EU stood for diversification of gas export routes, and this position reflected the mutual intention to achieve a sustainable socio-economic effect for supplier countries, buyer countries and energy consumers, emphasized Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso. Increased diversification plays an important role on the current energy market as a tool to increase reliability and security of energy transit. The EU’s policy in this sphere is absolutely transparent and based on this statement, said the EC President.

Touching upon cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, , Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso said that the European Union was ready to offer Turkmenistan a comprehensive integrated market, predictable and based on close adherence to relevant principles of law, agreements and contracts, respect and balance of the interests of parties concerned. All this given global gas market trends enables to make strategic decisions for a long term and ensure safety and effectiveness of investment. Decision-making is based not on momentary considerations, but pragmatic, sagacious foresight – this approach is demonstrated today by Turkmenistan, which ranks among the countries with the largest natural gas reserves on the planet.

In this context, the President of the European Commission said that various options for diversification of Turkmen gas export had been discussed with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during the talks. In particular, the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline had been discussed in detail. Mr Jose Manuel Barroso said that to date the sufficient potential had been accumulated to give a new impetus, to make a new step in this direction.

Commenting on the outcomes of the talks, the head of the European Commission said that they were distinguished for the profoundness and specifics of topics under discussion that testified to the firm mutual intention to actively cooperate in practical terms.

Emphasizing that Turkmenistan’s economic development was characterized by impressive achievements and one of the highest rates in the world, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso expressed support for the efforts of the Turkmen leadership to lay the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity of the country in the future. The European Union is proud of the fact that Turkmenistan sees it as a promising and dependable partner, ally and friend. Both sides are aware of the importance of cooperation and its relevance to mutual long-term interests and, most importantly, the intention to develop partnerships and search for mutually acceptable solutions aimed at enhancing fruitful contacts, concluded the President of the European Commission.

Upon concluding the press conference, the President of the European Commission headed for the residence. Then, an official reception was given in honour of the distinguished guest on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan. During the reception President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and EC President Jose Manuel Barroso exchanged speeches.

In the afternoon the President of the European Commission visited the National Museum of Turkmenistan. Upon concluding the excursion, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso wrote an entry to the Book of Guests of Honour.

Then President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov invited the distinguished guest to visit the Ahalteke Horse Breeding Complex.

Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso showed the great interest in the grandiose horse breeding complex, which had no analogues in the region, located in the picturesque locality near Ashgabat. Elite racers of the legendary breed, which were rightfully the pride of the Turkmen people, were demonstrated to the distinguished guest.

Then the President of Turkmenistan heartily bade farewell to the President of the European Commission and expressed gratitude for the visit and fruitful talks. In his turn, Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leader for the opportunity to discuss strategic issues of further cooperation during a personal meeting and invited President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to visit Brussels.

On that day the head of the European Commission and the accompanying delegation left for Brussels.