Turkmenistan ready to host development of alternate energy technologies for use by Central Asian countries - Foreign Ministry

ASHGABAT. Aug 17 (Interfax) - Turkmenistan has expressed its readiness to host the development and testing of alternate energy technologies for use by Central Asian countries.

Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow made a statement to this effect at a meeting with UAE Energy and Infrastructure Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei on the sidelines of the International Transport Forum, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website. The forum took place in the Avaza tourist zone on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea on August 15-16.

A desire for stronger cooperation between Turkmenistan and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) headquartered in Masdar, the UAE, was expressed at the meeting, the statement said.

In this context, Turkmenistan said it was ready to host international scientific conferences and other events in partnership with the IRENA and to offer itself as a site for development and testing of alternate energy technologies that could be used by Central Asian countries, it said.

The negotiations mentioned the opportunity for trade, economic cooperation and investment, the fuel and energy potential of both countries, and the readiness of Turkmenistan to interact with the leading oil and gas companies from the UAE, the statement said.

In addition, the sides discussed the promotion of gas chemical, financial and transport projects in Turkmenistan with the participation of the UAE. Also, discussed was the possibility of opening transport and logistic routes and the beginning of cooperation between the Turkmenbashi port and the ports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including the Turkmen port's integration into the global system of seaports.

The sides assessed the level of bilateral political relations and noted that an official visit of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow to the UAE would be arranged soon at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the statement said.