Michael Bass
Soc. 202 Current Event
Stephen Sills
10:39
4/24/09
US Urges opening of Central Asian Gas Markets
Gas reserves under Turkmenistan have been sought after by western powers since the death of its dictator, Saparmarat Niyazov in 2006. George Krol, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said that president Obama’s agenda included high aspects of cooperation with the Central Asian states.
“ We strongly support the diversification of energy markets and transit routes, both among Central Asian states and between this region and broader international markets,” he said.
A meeting was held at the nation’s capital to discuss energy policy with central Asia and the European Union. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has recently expressed his wishes to open up more to the west, a comment that has been seen by some as snubbing Russia, who holds an almost-monopoly over Turkmenistan gas exports. Russian negotiations have soured due to a pipeline explosion that exports gas from Turkmenistan to Russia: Russia is accused of having unexpectedly cutting its imports of natural gas. A U.S official comments, “I believe this explosion, this accident, this phenomenon is one more argument in support of diversification of routes…” in support of his desire of alternative routes. On Wednesday, the EU reached an agreement with the Central Asian country ending an eleven-year stalemate.
The growth of the international relations between Turkmenistan in recent years, gives many hope in the business of international trade. The possibility of massive natural gas reserves under the country is attractive to the western eye in their need for energy. The ongoing struggle for cleaner energy worldwide begins with healthier negotiations between countries.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jD8OCl6RwzWGdNTvZhzdpZThESFA
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