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Turkey, Turkmenistan agree gas supply via Iran
The deal, between Turkey’s state-owned pipeline operator BOTAS and Turkmenistan’s Turkmengaz, aims to begin gas flows on March 1, he said, according to Reuters.
Turkey consumes more than 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year. It relies on a mix of piped gas from Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, along with liquefied natural gas imports from various suppliers.
“With this agreement, which we have been working on for many years, we will further advance the strategic cooperation between the two countries while strengthening the natural gas supply security of our country and region,” Bayraktar said in a statement.
The minister had previously said Turkey could buy up to 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually from Turkmenistan, with the gas expected to be transported via Iran’s existing natural gas network. A representative of the Turkmenistan government said that supplies of 2 bcm per year at the initial stage would be possible through Iran.
He also said that a separate project to build a gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and further to Turkey is being discussed as part of the long-term cooperation between the countries.
Specific details regarding the volume of gas to be supplied under the new agreement and the exact terms of transit through Iran were not disclosed.
On Monday, the president of Iran and the national leader of Turkmenistan stressed the importance of expanding gas cooperation and strengthening peace and trust in the region.
In a phone conversation with the national leader of Turkmenistan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also emphasized the country’s support for enhancing cooperation among Caspian Sea littoral states to secure mutual interests and preserve the region’s environment.
Pezeshkian highlighted the existing collaboration between Iran and Turkmenistan in electricity and energy, describing the two nations as neighbors and brothers capable of expanding cooperation in areas such as gas swaps, transportation, and electricity exchange.
He noted that the regular convening of the Iran-Turkmenistan Joint Economic Cooperation Commission could significantly boost bilateral ties.
Turkmenistan national leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, congratulated Iran on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution and wished success for the Iranian government and people.
Berdimuhamedow also advocated for expanded cooperation in transportation, energy, and gas swaps, stressing the importance of regular meetings of the joint economic commission to strengthen economic ties.
He also expressed Turkmenistan’s interest in deepening economic collaboration with Iran.
In order to expand cooperation in the electricity sector, Turkmenistan has proposed building a section of the power line (HPP) from the Mary HPP to the Iranian border as part of the construction project for the Merv-Mashhad transmission line, Berdimuhamedow said.
The necessary negotiations have already taken place with the Iranian side and a corresponding document has been signed stipulating that the project will be implemented by Iranian companies, he said.
Transportation is among the main areas of bilateral cooperation, the parties said.
They discussed a construction project for a highway that will run from the Iranian border to the Turkmen city of Gumdag. A memorandum on implementing this project has been signed and an Iranian company will serve as the contractor.