According the statement of Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on August 1, 2016, had a meeting with the Ambassador of the French Republic Mr. Patrick Pascal.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic Mr. Patrick Pascal, completing his diplomatic work in Turkmenistan. In this context, the sides expressed a commitment to continue the organization of joint events with the participation of the business structures.
Both Turkmenistan and France interested in the implementation of a project to supply Turkmen gas to the EU.
According to Turkmen media: «The implementation of the pipeline project and gas export from the Turkmen fields to the EU member-states is a priority for both countries. The project to lay the pipeline to Europe via the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan is also under consideration».
The French company Total could be among the companies developing Turkmenistan’s energy resources and transporting them to the EU member-states and its representatives have been negotiating with the government. Another energy company- Engie - is also showing interest in different projects. However so far the president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, has only allowed Chinese companies to develop the biggest onshore fields in deals linked to favourable financing agreements.
The five states bordering the Caspian Sea have not unanimously agreed that a gas pipeline may cross it from side to side, a situation that suits two of them, Russia and Iran, as it helps to isolate Europe from Turkmenistan, another littoral state. Plans to export gas westwards by pipeline or by tanks of compressed natural gas have not got beyond the technical phase, although gas production platforms in the sea could be linked together, bringing Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan, if Azerbaijan agreed. Azerbaijan has a lot of undeveloped gas of its own however which is also looking for a market.
