Seizing opportunities in Turkmenistan

Foreign Minister Westerwelle has had political talks in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat. The main issues discussed were regional security, energy and human rights. Furthermore, he visited an international oil and gas trade fair.

With the Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov
© Photothek/Imo

With the Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov

Turkmenistan is a key country in Central Asia in the energy and economic spheres. It has the fourth largest gas reserves in the world. In political terms, Turkmenistan is crucial to security and stability in the region. The country has a 750 kilometre border with Afghanistan. The border with Iran, which has been subject to international criticism due to doubts about the civilian nature of its nuclear programme, runs close to the capital Ashgabat.

Foreign Ministers Meredov and Westerwelle
© Photothek/Imo

Foreign Ministers Meredov and Westerwelle

There were therefore sufficient topics for Foreign Minister Westerwelle’s talks with Turkmenistan’s President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.

Looking to the situation in Afghanistan and the forthcoming International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn on 5 December, Foreign Minister Westerwelle stressed the role of neighbouring states such as Turkmenistan:

If we are to ensure the success of the process of political reconciliation in Afghanistan, then it is crucial that neighbouring countries get involved, that they (…) are engaged politically but also have such strong economic links with Afghanistan that it can develop favourably.

“Enormous potential”

In Ashgabat, the German Foreign Minister visited the Turkmenistan International Oil & Gas Conference 2011 together with Baymurad Khodjamukhamedov, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for oil and gas. He used this opportunity to talk to German exhibitors. After his tour of the fair, he spoke of considerable mutual interest in “building closer links between Central Europe and Turkmenistan in the energy supply sphere”. He went on to say that in view of its gas reserves, Turkmenistan had “enormous potential” – and that it was keen to build ties with Germany. In turn, Germany had an interest in placing its energy supply mix “on several pillars”; Turkmenistan “undoubtedly wanted to break into the European market”, Westerwelle said.

At the Turkenistan International Oil & Gas Conference © Photothek/Imo

At the Turkenistan International Oil & Gas Conference

It was vital to seize these opportunities now. This was, however, not only about energy projects such as the planned Nabucco pipeline from Central Asia via Turkey to Central Europe, but also, for example, about cooperation in the health sector and on infrastructure such as the construction of port facilities. Germany was a world leader in these spheres. More than 50 German companies are already operating in Turkmenistan, and Germany is the country’s second largest trading partner within the European Union.

Human rights

Germany hopes that Turkmenistan will also make progress in its democratic development. “I have also addressed the necessity of plurality in civil society, the necessity of protecting human and civil rights during this visit,” said Westerwelle after his talks with the President. Moreover, he took part in a round table discussion on human rights in Turkmenistan at the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights. Among other things, he discussed how Germany can foster the rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country.

Only one party, the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, is allowed in Turkmenistan. The human rights situation is unsatisfactory, even though there have been improvements since President Berdymukhamedov took up office. For instance, Turkmenistan has shown in some areas a willingness to work more closely with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Last updated 17.11.2011

Hauptinhalt